Craze-E Caramelized Onion, Cranberry and Blue Cheese Squares

Name: Craze-E Caramelized Onion, Cranberry and Blue Cheese Squares
Prep time: 30 min
Cook time: 1 h
Total time: 1 h 30 min
Yield: 35 appies
Ingredients: 1 shortcrust pastry dough (enough pastry to fit a 13-inch x 9-inch pyrex baking dish); 2 tablespoons olive oil; 1 tablespoon butter; 3 large red onions, halved, thinly sliced (about 2 pounds); 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar; 1 1/2 teaspoons dried herbes de provence (or a mixture of your favourite herbs); 1/2 teaspoon salt (or to taste); 1/2 teaspoon freshly-cracked black pepper (or to taste); 1/2 cup dried cranberries, halved; 100 g crumbled blue cheese (about 4 ounces); 100 g sliced almonds (about 4 ounces)

Submitted by evelynathens

"This is a splendid little appetizer for your holiday table or buffet. The onion squares are both ever-so-slightly-sweet and tantalizingly-savoury at the same time."

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photo by Diana 2

Ready In:: 1hr 30mins
Ingredients:: 11
Yields:: 35 appies

ingredients

1 shortcrust pastry dough (enough pastry to fit a 13-inch x 9-inch pyrex baking dish)
Filling
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 tablespoon butter
3 large red onions, halved, thinly sliced (about 2 pounds)
2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
1 ¹⁄₂ teaspoons dried herbes de provence (or a mixture of your favourite herbs)
¹⁄₂ teaspoon salt (or to taste)
¹⁄₂ teaspoon freshly-cracked black pepper (or to taste)
¹⁄₂ cup dried cranberries, halved
100 g crumbled blue cheese (about 4 ounces)
100 g sliced almonds (about 4 ounces)

directions

For filling: Melt oil and butter in large skillet over medium-high heat. Add onions. Cook until onions are soft and beginning to brown, stirring frequently, about 10 minutes. Add balsamic vinegar, herbes, salt and pepper. Reduce heat to medium. Continue to cook until onions are soft and caramelized, stirring frequently, about 25-30 minutes longer. Remove from heat; stir in dried cranberries and cool.
Preheat oven to 220C (425F).
Transfer dough to 13” x 9” pyrex baking dish. Pierce dough all over with fork (this is called 'docking'). Blind bake for 15 minutes.
Spread onion mixture evenly over dough. Sprinkle with cheese and almonds. Bake until cheese is bubbling and sliced almonds are golden, about 15-20 minutes longer. Let cool. Cut into squares and serve.

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Reviews

I loved the three main ingredients. What a terrific combination. I was also very impressed with the use of the pastry. I'll certainly be putting that idea to good use in the future. I did however have a problem with the onion mixture. I found that there were too many, and that the balsamic overpowered the cranberry and blue cheese. Next time, I'd omit the balsamic and opt for regular caramelized onions. The cranberries would show up better as well. I love the look of the sliced onions, but feel it would have been better if the onions were diced. Made for messy cutting, and eating. Certainly not something I'd serve at a gathering where guests are milling about. Thanks for sharing your creation. Made for Craze-E Challenge #3 - Appetizers-Brunch-Pot Luck

Diana 2