Onion Pie

We're not even supposed to HINT the origins of this recipe.  My secret source (my brother, Jackie Ricker), took a long time to convince.  Those who have tasted this swear it's wonderful, and they will do anything to protect the secret formula.  Oops...
Picture
Ingredients
3 large white onions (or sweet onions - like Vidalia) - sliced in rings
1 stick butter, plus a bit to grease pie plate
1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
salt to taste
1 sleeve saltine crackers
​1/2 cup Parmesan cheese​ - in 1/4 cup increments
2 eggs
1 cup milk
Steps
  1. Melt one stick butter in skillet over medium heat.  (Don't burn!)  Put onions in butter and saute' until wilted and translucent.  Sprinkle in 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper and salt to taste.
  2. Grease pie plate with a little butter. Take 1 tube of saltine crackers; crush crackers in small pieces, making a pie crust embedded in the butter.  Sprinkle a coating of 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese over top of pie crust.
  3. In small bowl, mix 2 eggs in 1 cup of milk.  Put onions and butter from the skillet on top of the prepared pie crust.         
  4. Pour milk and egg mixture over top of onions.   Cover all with the other 1/4 cup of Parmesan cheese.
  5. Bake for 45 minutes at 425° F.