Melty Onion Toasts Recipes

MELTY ONION TOASTS

Steps:

• Heat the butter in a sauté pan, add the onions, then sprinkle over the sugar. Sweat the onions for 20 mins over a medium heat, stirring them occasionally, until sticky and golden. Add the brandy, if using, reduce down to nothing, then season to taste. This onion topping can be made 2 days ahead and kept covered.
• Heat oven to 200C/fan 180C/gas 6. Toast the bread, spread the onions over, then top with slices of cheese. The toasts can be made up 1 hr ahead. Place on a baking tray, then bake for 15 mins until bubbling and golden. Serve each piece of toast on a plate with a sprig of dressed watercress next to it.

CARAMELIZED ONION TOASTS

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
• Heat 4 tablespoons butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the onions, chopped anchovies, thyme, salt and pepper and cook until the onions are sweet and golden brown, about 20 minutes.
• Meanwhile, holding the knife parallel to the cutting board, shave off the rounded top and bottom of the baguette with a serrated knife so that it lies flat. Then cut the baguette in half lengthwise to make 2 long slices of bread. Brush both sides of each with the remaining 4 tablespoons butter.
• When the onions are cooked, put the bread slices on a baking sheet and spread with the onions. Garnish with olives and drizzle with olive oil. Place in the oven and bake until the bread is crispy, about 15 minutes. Shower with Parmigiano. Cut into pieces and serve hot.
• Serve the onion toasts alongside an assortment of Italian meats.

TOASTED ROASTED CHEESE AND ONION SANDWICH

Steps:

• Toast bread slices fairly crisp.
• Butter toast on both sides, lay cheese slices on toast, add onion slices over cheese, grind pepper over onions.
• Lay more cheese slices over onion.
• Place second piece of toast on top and squish down.
• Place on a cookie sheet under oven broiler, about 5 or 6 inches from heat.
• Turn over when that side is golden and the cheese has started to melt.
• Leave under broiler until the second side is golden and the cheese is ooozing out of sides.
• Place on a luncheon plate, cut in two and enjoy!

ONION TOASTS

Steps:

• Preheat broiler.
• Stir together onion and mayonnaise. Arrange bread slices in 1 layer on a baking sheet and broil 6 inches from heat until lightly toasted (watch carefully). Remove from oven and turn toasts over. Spread evenly with onion mixture and sprinkle with cheese and freshly ground pepper.
• Broil hors d'oeuvres until topping is bubbling and lightly browned, 1 to 2 minutes (watch carefully to prevent burning).
• Serve warm.

ONION TOASTS

Steps:

• Cut onions in half, and slice thinly into half-moon shapes. In a skillet over low heat, melt butter and add onions. Cook over medium-low heat until the onions are tender, about 8 minutes. Add sherry, and salt and pepper to taste. Saute until the sherry evaporates, about 5 minutes; adjust seasonings. Remove from heat, and set aside at room temperature. (Can be made a day ahead.)
• Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Brush baguette slices on both sides with olive oil. Arrange slices in a single layer on a baking sheet, and bake until crisp and golden, about 8 minutes. Remove from oven, and rub one side of each slice with the clove of garlic.
• To serve, spread onion mixture on toasts and float them on soup.

BROCCOLI TOASTS WITH MELTY PROVOLONE

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and blanch the broccoli for 2 to 3 minutes. Drain broccoli and pat dry.
• Heat the olive oil in a 12-inch tall-sided skillet over medium heat. Add the anchovies, if using, the garlic and red-pepper flakes and cook until the anchovies have dissolved and the garlic is fragrant, 1 to 2 minutes. Add the broccoli and cook, stirring occasionally until the broccoli is cooked down and very tender, about 8 to 10 minutes. Add a tablespoon or two of water, if needed, to help it along. Stir in lemon zest. Taste and season with salt and pepper, if needed.
• While the broccoli cooks, heat the broiler. Lay the bread on a large sheet pan and toast until golden, about 1 to 3 minutes a side depending on your oven. (Check often to make sure they don't burn.) Remove from oven and divide the broccoli mixture between the toasts. Scatter each toast with the grated provolone, return to oven and broil until the cheese melts and turns golden in spots, 1 to 3 minutes more. (Again, check often to make sure they don't burn.) Remove from oven and serve slices whole or cut in half.

FRENCH ONION TOASTS

Steps:

• Melt one tablespoon butter in a nonstick frying pan over low heat.
• Add the onion and cook stirring occasionally (do not burn) until tender and a golden brown (approx 15-20 minutes).
• Stir rosemary, salt and pepper into the onions and remove from heat.
• Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.
• Lightly butter one side of each slice of french bread.
• Place the bread, butter side down, on a baking sheet.
• Divide the onion evenly over the top of the french bread, coving as most of the surface as possible.
• Top the bread as evenly as possible with the grated cheese.
• Bake for about 10 minutes until cheese is well melted.