Covering kept the moisture in, and adding water helped prevent them from drying out/burning as well, but using a lower heat would have worked as well.
I generally start with oil, and then add butter later (along with my garlic and mushrooms towards the end).
You were just using too much heat before. Sounds like your having to work hard, adding water etc, and also you can't easily see how they are doing with a cover on. I'd just try using a lower temp instead, should be able to carmalize them with no cover and just a stir every few minutes or so.
Agatha "Your naked and they are nuns, it's not your eyes they're not looking at."
Glowing Elephant "Stonehedge was a sex thing."
