Chilled Sweet and Sour Onions

This is good prepared a day in advance.

Ingredients:
500g (one pound) red onions (although brown onions will do)
2 tablespoons oil
1 large clove garlic, lightly crushed and peeled

Sauce:
1 tablespoon dark soy sauce
2 tablespoons vinegar
2 tablespoons sugar

Preparation:
Trim off the root ends of the onions and peel them. Cut each onion into 2 cm (1 inch) wide wedges and separate the layers. Combine the sauce ingredients in a bowl and stir until the sugar is dissolved.

Cooking:
Heat a wok or large frying pan over high heat until hot. Add the oil, swirl, and heat for 30 seconds. Toss in the garlic and press it in the oil. Then stir fry the onions for 30 or 40 seconds, until they are glistening with oil and have slightly transparent look.
Splash in the sauce and, as it sizzles, stir the onions briskly a few times. Then pour immediately into a dish. Let them cool a few minutes, then cover and refrigerate until well chilled.