Description
Delightful Caramelized Onion Crostini topped with sweet fig jam and tangy blue cheese, garnished with fresh rosemary and black pepper. Perfect as an appetizer for gatherings or a sophisticated snack.
Ingredients
Scale
Caramelized Onions
- 1 large vidalia onion (about 12 oz), peeled, halved, and thinly sliced
- 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
- ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
- 2 teaspoons balsamic vinegar
Crostini Toppings
- 1 baguette, sliced into ¼-inch rounds
- ⅓ cup fig preserves
- ¼ cup blue cheese crumbles
- 2 sprigs fresh rosemary, torn or roughly chopped
- Freshly ground black pepper, for serving
Instructions
- Caramelize Onions: Heat olive oil in a large cast iron or heavy-bottomed skillet over medium-high heat. Add sliced onions and sprinkle with kosher salt. Cook for 5 minutes, stirring frequently to prevent browning or crisping.
- Slow Cook Onions: Reduce heat to medium-low and cover with a lid. Continue cooking for about 1 hour, stirring every 10-15 minutes until onions are golden, jammy, and have a rich nutty aroma. If onions begin to burn or dry, add a splash of water or broth and scrape the pan bottom to incorporate the caramelized bits.
- Add Balsamic Vinegar: Stir in balsamic vinegar during the last 10 minutes of cooking. Remove onions from heat once done.
- Preheat Oven and Prepare Baguette: Preheat oven to 400°F. Arrange baguette slices on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or foil.
- Assemble Crostini: Spread 1-2 teaspoons of fig preserves on each baguette round. Top with a generous scoop of caramelized onions and a few chunks of blue cheese.
- Toast Crostini: Place assembled crostini in the oven and toast for about 4-5 minutes until the cheese softens and the bread crisps.
- Garnish and Serve: Remove from oven, sprinkle with fresh rosemary and freshly ground black pepper. Serve warm.
Notes
- For a milder onion flavor, use sweet Vidalia or similar onions.
- Adjust the amount of blue cheese according to taste preference; use a milder cheese for less pungency.
- To make the crostini vegan, substitute blue cheese with vegan cheese alternatives and choose a vegan-friendly baguette.
- Caramelizing onions slowly ensures maximum sweetness and depth of flavor; avoid rushing the process with high heat.
- Store leftover caramelized onions in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 crostini
- Calories: 110 kcal
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 160 mg
- Fat: 5 g
- Saturated Fat: 2 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 15 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 3 g
- Cholesterol: 8 mg
