It’s Better On Top (Crostini appetizer with Goat Cheese and Caramelized Onions)

It’s Better On Top

The Best Crostini with Goat Cheese and Caramelized onions

For those of you who thought ‘It’s Better On Top’ was a sexual reference, we love the way you think! Full props to you and your delightfully dirty minds!  Let’s talk about a Crostini with goat cheese and caramelized Onions… You are going to love them!

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FAQ’s on Onions

What the FAQ

What is the back-story on onions?

Did you know that in ancient Egypt, onions were highly prized and even worshipped, because of the prevailing belief that an onion’s spherical shape and concentric rings represented eternity?

Back then, this cherished bulb was featured in religious ceremonies, and was an essential part of the mummification process.  Additionally, it was thought to have magical powers of bringing the dead back to life. Holy sh*t, that’s a lot of pressure for a vegetable!

Onions are the delicious headliner in this party appetizer… In fact, onions are great in almost any savory dish, but this one proves that they really are better on top!

What type of onions are best to caramelize?

You can caramelize any kind of onion, but yellow, white or Spanish onions tend to offer the most balanced-sweet-savory profile and are versatile for many different dishes.

How do I properly caramelize onions?

Onions and fonds and deglazing….oh my!

Properly caramelizing onions is a process that requires time and patience, but you will never regret mastering the technique. You will love these flavorful strips of deliciousness are an unbeatable addition to burgers, sandwiches, charcuterie boards, dips, soups….the possibilities are endless.

De-glazing the pan is also key, because it adds to the depth of flavor, and because a good fond is a terrible thing to waste!

(See fond and deglazing definitions in the recipe notes.)  Your caramelization process can take 45-60 minutes, so patience is definitely required.

What is Red Pepper Jelly?

Pepper jelly is a preserve made with peppers, sugar, and salt in a pectin or vinegar base. The jelly rose in popularity in the United States from the 1980s to mid-1990s.  Enjoy the mix of sweetness and heat, use for meats or as an ingredient in various food preparations. You can use it in sandwiches or served on cream cheese for a cracker spread or used to make a pepper jelly cheesecake.

Red Pepper Jelly Recipe

Crostini appetizer with Goat Cheese, and Caramelized Onions

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5 from 13 votes

It's Better On Top

Crostini appetizer featuring rich caramelized onions, soft cheeses, and sweet/savory accompaniments.

Prep Time30 minutes mins

Active Time1 hour hr

Course: Appetizer

Cuisine: French, Italian

Keyword: alouette cheese, Capers, Carmelized Onions, Crostini, Goat Cheese, Red Pepper Jam

Yield: 12

Calories: 279kcal

Author: Craven Maven

Equipment

• Baking sheet
• Cast Iron Skillet

Materials

• 1 Italian 5-Grain Baguette
• ¼ Cup Olive Oil
• 4 Large Sweet Onions Vidalia, Maui, or Walla Walla
• 4 Tbsp Butter
• 2 Teaspoon Kosher Salt
• 6 Ounces Alouette garlic and herb soft cheese
• 6 Ounces Goat Cheese Room Temperature
• 4 Ounces Red Pepper Jelly
• ½ Cup Capers Drained
• Water or White Wine For Deglazing Optional

Instructions

• Preheat oven to 350°F.
• Cut baguette into ⅜" slices and place on a baking sheet.
• Brush the top sides evenly with olive oil.
• Bake for approximately 15 minutes or until lightly toasted. Set aside to cool.
• Cut the stem and root ends off the onions.
• Cut the onions in half from stem to root, peel off papery layers
• With the flat side down, slice the onions stem to root again, into ⅛" thickness.
• Using an extra-large, heavy-bottomed pan, melt the butter plus one tablespoon of olive oil over medium heat.
• Once hot, add onions, and a pinch of kosher salt. Stir.
• Continue cooking and stirring until the onions soften and brown, and fond forms on the bottom of the pan.
• Add a small amount of white wine or warm water to the pan, scraping to release the fond.
• Continue until the onions are a deep brown, repeating the deglazing process as necessary.
• Remove from heat.
• Store onions in an airtight container in the fridge and warm slightly before serving.

Assemble as follows to create two flavor variations:

• Start with a toasted baguette, and spread with a generous dollop of goat cheese. Top with a mound of warm caramelized onions and a sprinkle of capers.
• Start with a toasted baguette, and spread with a dollop of garlic and herb soft cheese. Top with warm caramelized onions and a spoonful of red pepper jelly.

Notes

Fond is French for base and refers to the delicious caramelized drippings and browned bits of meat and vegetables that stick to the bottom of a pan during searing, sautéing, or roasting. 

Fond is a terrific source of flavor and is generally deglazed (removed and incorporated into the dish,) with a liquid,  such as water, chicken/beef/vegetable stock, or wine that enhances the main ingredients being cooked.

Nutrition

Calories: 279kcal | Carbohydrates: 26g | Protein: 6g | Fat: 17g | Saturated Fat: 8g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 6g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 32mg | Sodium: 860mg | Potassium: 189mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 11g | Vitamin A: 465IU | Vitamin C: 6mg | Calcium: 78mg | Iron: 1mg

Aphrodesi’hacks’

Crostini with Goat Cheese and Caramelized Onions

• Who doesn’t love crostini?  Try this crostini with goat cheese, Red Pepper Jam and Caramelized onions.  Enjoy this crostini as a savory holiday appetizer, or a beautiful start to any meal.
• You can prepare the caramelized onions a day or two ahead of time
• Prepare crispy slices of toasts ahead of time
• Don’t overdo the butter or oil with the onions.  It can make your onions greasy/mushy.

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Crostini with Goat Cheese and Caramelized Onions

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