Caramelized Onion Crostini

For some reason when it's unreasonably hot outside, I'm not in the mood to talk or write much. I just feel like vegging out. Here's a little idea for a crostini. Me and my appetizers, right? Okay, its some caramelized sweet onion mixed into a balsamic vinegar reduction placed over a piece of swiss cheese and a garlic flavored crostini made from a pan de sal mini loaf. Phew...that was a mouthful. Try saying that ten times fast! Oh and a sprinkle pinch of grated parmesan on top.

You can use whichever bread you desire. Traditionally, a crostini is made from slices of a french baguette. This is a great way to start the meal.

This recipe will generally make about a dozen. It's a good snack or meal in itself. Either way, it's a yummy time!



Caramelized Onion Crostini

1 medium sweet onion (sliced into half moons)
1 Tbsp dry thyme
3 Tbsp balsamic vinegar
1 french baguette (cut into 1/2 slices)
Olive oil
1 Tbsp butter
Garlic powder
Swiss cheese slices (cut into sizable pieces for the bread)
grated parmesan cheese

Preheat your oven to 350˚F

Baste both sides of the the bread slices with some olive oil and sprinkle a little garlic powder over them.

Place them on an ungreased baking sheet and toast them for roughly 5-10 min.

In a sauce pan, melt the butter and heat the oil. Add in the onions. Cook them until they slightly turn brown in color. Season with the dry thyme. Remove from the pan and set aside.

Using that same pan, add in the balsamic vinegar. Heat it until it slightly thickens. Add in the onions once again and stir, coating them.

Putting it together:
Take a crostini place one of the cheese slices on top followed by some of the onion. Sprinkle a tiny pinch of parmesan on top and voila!

Shroomwich

I had bought some pre-sliced white mushrooms the other day from Whole Foods and wondered what I can make with them. I had some cheese and pan de sal (filipino bread). The easiest thing I could think of was a sandwich. Plus, I was pretty tired from the day. I only used half of the package and it made about two sandwiches.



Shroomwich


1/2 medium onion - sliced
2 cups sliced white mushroom - rough estimate (or any mushroom you prefer)
salt & pepper to season
1 Tbsp Olive Oil
1 Tbsp Butter or margarine
Swiss cheese slices
Bread of choice


In a saute pan, heat oil and melt butter on a medium to low. Sweat onions when butter is nearly melted. You'd want them to have a nice soft and floppy texture to them. Then add the mushrooms. Season with a little salt and pepper to taste. Cook for about 5.

Preheat oven to 350˚F and toast one slice of the bread for 5 min on a baking sheet or a piece of foil. When the bread is toasted, place a nice helping mushroom on it then a slice of swiss. Place back into the oven and toast the top piece of bread as well for 5-10 or until cheese is nice and melted.