Fried shallots are like the bacon of garnishes—crispy, savory, and a sprinkle of them makes most dishes more delicious.
Sure, the stuff that comes in a store-bought can is convenient. But they don’t taste half as good as fresh-fried shallots. But frying shallots at home involves . . . frying shallots at home. You have to keep your eye on them constantly, they require constant stirring, and they can burn if you’re not paying attention.
Then I discovered the hands-free method that fries shallots by using the microwave.