Caramelized Onion Apple And Goat Cheese Blintzes Recipes

CARAMELIZED ONION, APPLE AND GOAT CHEESE BLINTZES

Steps:

• Let's start with the blintz batter. Combine flour, sugar and salt in a large bowl. In a seaprate bowl, whisk together eggs, milk and 1 tablespoon melted and cooled butter. Mix the dry into the wet until no lumps remain. Let batter rest in refrigerator at least 1 hour to let gluten relax.
• While batter is chilling, make filling. Heat a wide, thick-bottomed saute pan over medium-high heat and add oil to heat. Add onions with a little salt (about ¼ tsp). As soon as onions start to brown, reduce to medium-low. Keep cooking for up to 40 minutes or an hour until the onions are very caramelized, stirring often. If they start to burn a little, add a little water.
• Once the onions are nearly ready, add 1 tablespoon butter and apples and saute for 10 minutes until apples and soft but not mushy. Season to taste with salt and black pepper. Add in fresh thyme and honey and stir to combine.
• To make blintzes, butter a 9-inch nonstick pan with a thin coat of butter over medium high heat. Then pour ¼ cup of batter into pan to coat bottom. Swirl pan to coat evenly. After about a minute you will see the ends begin to curl up- your blintz is done! No need to flip. Slide blintzes onto parchment paper to allow to cool. Do not layer blintzes together when they are hot or they will stick. If you find your batter is a little thick to swirl, add a touch more milk.
• Spread heaping tablespoon of onion apple mixture towards bottom of each blintz and top with a dollop (about 2 teaspoons) of goat cheese. Fold bottom of blintz up to cover filling and then fold the sides in. Roll like a burrito. Add 1-tablespoon butter back to medium nonstick pan over medium high heat and cook on each side until golden brown- or about 1-2 minutes per side.
• Top blintzes with extra filling, walnuts, pomegranate arils and a drizzle of honey. Eat!
• You can make the pancakes and filling ahead of time up to two days before serving.

CARAMELIZED ONION, APPLE AND GOAT CHEESE MELTS

Steps:

• Heat 2 tablespoons oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium. Add the onions and salt and cook, tossing frequently, until the onions turn creamy and golden, 15 to 18 minutes.
• Add thyme and red-pepper flakes and stir for another 30 to 45 seconds until fragrant. Transfer the onions to a small bowl and stir in the goat cheese and olives.
• Place 4 slices of bread on the counter and divide the onion mixture among them, spreading to the edges. Top with the apple or pear slices, then the remaining bread, pressing down gently to adhere.
• Wipe the same skillet down with a paper towel, then add 1 to 2 teaspoons olive oil (or more as needed to coat the bottom of the pan) and heat over medium. Working in batches, if needed, add the sandwiches and cook 1 to 2 minutes per side, pressing them gently to compress them as they cook, until the bread is toasted and deeply golden brown. If working in batches, add more olive oil as needed and cook remaining sandwiches. Slice and serve.

CARAMELIZED ONIONS, APPLE, WALNUTS AND GOAT CHEESE PIZZA

Steps:

• Onions and Apples -- In a large non stick skillet on medium high heat, add the butter, olive oil, onions and start to caramelize. Cook about 5 minutes until they start to brown. Then add the apples, thyme, salt and pepper to taste and cook for approximately 20 minutes until the apples get very soft and brown and almost appear to melt "spreadable.".
• Crust -- I use a baking sheet for this and spray with Pam. Then spread out and lightly roll the pizza dough into a rectangle to fit in the baking pan. Make sure to press the dough out and then prick with a fork all over the crust. This will prevent the crust from "puffing up" or "bubbling" when you cook it. I mix the olive oil, garlic and pepper and brush over the top of the crust and cook at 425 for about 10-12 minutes until it gets slightly brown. Remove from the oven and slightly cool.
• Topping -- Spread the apple onion mixture over crust and garnish with the goat cheese and walnuts fine chopped.
• Broil -- I like to broil the pizza for just 3-5 minutes on the middle rack until the cheese starts to soften and melt.
• Serve -- Cut into squares and serve along side a salad or with any grilled dish. It is a great savory/sweet appetizer or starter dish.

CHEESE BLINTZES WITH CARAMELIZED APPLES

Steps:

• Place 3/4 cup water, 2 eggs, vanilla extract and 1/4 teaspoon salt in blender. Add flour and blend thoroughly until smooth. Let batter stand 1 hour.
• Place hoop cheese in processor. If using cottage cheese, place in center of kitchen towel and squeeze to remove excess moisture until cheese is very dry and measures 1 1/2 cups packed; transfer to processor. Add 1 egg, 1/4 cup sugar, 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon and 1/8 teaspoon salt. Using on/off turns, blend until mixture is almost smooth. Transfer filling to bowl. Cover and refrigerate.
• Heat heavy small skillet with 6-inch-diameter bottom over medium-high heat. Brush lightly with some melted butter. Pour 2 1/2 tablespoons batter into skillet, tilting to spread evenly. Cook until crepe is lightly browned on bottom, about 30 seconds. Turn crepe out onto paper towel and cover with another paper towel. Repeat with remaining batter, brushing skillet with more melted butter as needed.
• Place 1 crepe on work surface. Place 3 tablespoons filling just below center of cooked side of crepe. Fold bottom over filling, then fold sides in; roll to enclose filling. Transfer to foil-lined plate. Repeat with remaining filling and 7 more crepes (reserve remaining crepes for another use).
• Heat 2 tablespoons oil and any re-maining melted butter in heavy large skillet over medium-low heat until hot. Place blintzes, seam side down, in skillet. Cook until bottoms are brown and crisp, shaking pan occasionally, about 6 minutes. Turn blintzes over; cook until bottoms are brown and crisp, about 5 minutes. Transfer 2 blintzes to each of 4 plates. Top with Caramelized Apples and serve.