French Onion Bites Recipe 455

HOLIDAY ENTERTAINING WITH FRENCH ONION BITES AND #PILLSBURY

Steps:

• Heat the oven to 350 degrees F. Lightly spray two mini muffin tins and set aside.
• In a large saute pan, add the butter and olive oil (I use a touch of oil so that the butter doesn't burn) and melt over medium high heat.
• Add the thinly sliced onions to the butter/oil mixture and saute for about 7-10 minutes, until they start to pick up a nicely warm caramelized color.
• Add the thyme, salt, pepper and brown sugar and saute for a few minutes more until the color starts to deepen.
• Deglaze the pan with the vegetable stock, taking care to scrape up any brown bits on the bottom of the pan. Add the Worcestershire sauce and simmer the onions until they are richly caramelized and most of the liquid has evaporated from the pan..
• Remove from heat and let cool.
• Roll out the Pillsbury Crescent Roll dough. With a rolling pin, roll out the dough so that there are no seams visible and the dough is about a 12x8 rectangle. Cut into 24 squares.
• Press the dough into each muffin cup and up the sides of the cup.
• Bake for about 5 minutes until they start to puff.
• Remove from the oven and fill each cup with about a 1/2 teaspoon to a teaspoon of the caramelized onions.
• Top with some shredded fontina cheese and bake for about 8-10 minutes more, until the cheese is melted and the edges are toasty and brown.
• Remove the French Onion Bites from the pan and let them cool slightly.
• Enjoy!

FRENCH ONION BITES

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 375°F with rack in middle.
• Arrange slices on a large baking sheet and bake in oven until golden, about 8 minutes. Let cool.
• Meanwhile, heat butter and oil in a 10-inch heavy skillet over medium heat until butter is melted, then cook onion, garlic, bay leaf, and thyme with 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper, covered, stirring occasionally, 10 minutes.
• Uncover skillet and cook, stirring occasionally, until deep golden, about 10 to 15 minutes more. Add wine and cook until entirely evaporated, 1 to 2 minutes. Discard garlic clove, bay leaf, and thyme. Transfer to a small bowl and keep warm, covered.
• Preheat broiler.
• Arrange toasts on a large baking sheet, then top each with a rounded teaspoon of caramelized onions and sprinkle generously with shredded Gruyere. Broil 3- to 4-inches from heat until cheese is melted, 1 to 2 minutes (watch carefully).

FRENCH ONION BITES

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 375 F with rack in middle.
• Arrange slices on a large baking sheet and bake in oven until golden, about 6-8 minutes. Let cool.
• Meanwhile, heat butter and oil in a 10-inch heavy skillet over medium heat until butter is melted, then cook onion, garlic, bay leaf, and thyme with 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper, covered, stirring occasionally, 10 minutes.
• Uncover skillet and cook, stirring occasionally, until deep golden, about 10 to 15 minutes more. Add wine and cook until entirely evaporated, 1 to 2 minutes. Discard garlic clove, bay leaf, and thyme. Transfer to a small bowl and keep warm, covered.
• Preheat broiler.
• Arrange toasts on a large baking sheet, then top each with a rounded teaspoon of caramelized onions and sprinkle generously with shredded Gruyere. Broil 3- to 4-inches from heat until cheese is melted, 1 to 2 minutes (watch carefully).
• Steps that can be done ahead of time:.
• Onions can be caramelized 3-5 days ahead and kept chilled.
• Bread slices can be toasted and cheese shredded 1-2 days ahead. Keep toasts in an airtight container at room temperature and keep cheese chilled.