I’ve long meant to publish a cookbook but since it’s probably not going to happen I’ll share my concept here. It was going to be called “it starts with an onion” About 90% of the dishes I make start this way. Even if a recipe doesn’t call for it, I’ll often just start with some diced onion in oil and then began the recipe. If you have some ingredients around and you are trying to think of what to do with them, envision a Dutch oven or frying pan with some softened salted chopped onions in it and start planning what you will add too it. It’s a solid start to many a meal. Also, don’t underestimate shallots. They are like if garlic and onion had a baby.