Caramelized Onions

• 2 large sweet onions, peeled, halved, and thinly sliced
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 tablespoon unsalted butter (optional)
• Coarse sea salt and freshly ground black pepper

Preheat a large skillet over medium heat, add oil, and swirl to coat the bottom of the pan. Add onions and cook 4 to 5 minutes without stirring, or until they begin to brown on the bottom. Stir and cook 10 to 15 minutes more until they are golden brown, stirring every few minutes so the onions brown evenly. Season with salt and pepper.

If the onions are slow to brown, add 1 tablespoon butter and stir well to speed up the caramelization process. Set the onions aside and keep them warm until ready to serve.