Caramelized Onion And Fig Bruschetta Food

FIG AND GOAT CHEESE BRUSCHETTAS

Steps:

• Place the orange zest and orange juice in a medium (10-inch) heavy-bottomed pot or Dutch oven, such as Le Creuset. Add the sugar, vanilla bean, and figs to the pot. Cover and bring to a full boil over medium heat. (Don't worry; it may look dry.) Stir the mixture and boil hard for 1 minute, stirring to dissolve the sugar. Lower the heat, and cook uncovered at a full simmer for 50 minutes to 1 hour and 15 minutes, stirring occasionally. You want the little bubbles to be throughout the pot, not just at the edges. After 45 minutes, refrigerate a small amount of the liquid to see if it becomes syrupy. It should be like a soft fruit preserve. Keep cooking just until the liquid starts to gel when cold. If the liquid is too firm, add a little orange juice or water, cook for a minute, and test it again until it's right. Depending on how ripe the figs are, they will probably keep their shape, but it's fine if they don't. Discard the vanilla bean and serve or refrigerate.
• Before serving, toast or grill the bread and spread with goat cheese. Spoon the fig preserves on, then the grated orange zest if using, and serve.

CARAMELIZED ONION AND GORGONZOLA BRUSCHETTA

Steps:

• Preheat oven 425 degrees.
• Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in 10-inch nonstick skillet over medium heat and cook onion, stirring frequently, 15 minutes or until onion is golden.
• Arrange bread on baking sheet. Evenly rub with garlic, then brush with remaining olive oil. Bake 10 minutes or until golden. Evenly spread Pasta Sauce on bread, then top with cheese, onion and pine nuts. Bake 5 minutes or until cheese is melted.
• *SUBSTITUTION: Use your favorite prepared pizza crust instead of bread for a quick meal.

BRUSCHETTA WITH CARAMELIZED ONION AND FRESH BASIL

Steps:

• Preheat oven on BROIL.
• Heat the butter and olive oil in a small skillet over medium heat. Add the onion and sugar; cook 15-20 minutes or until very soft and golden brown; stirring frequently. Remove from heat.
• Cool mixture slightly then stir in the fresh basil.
• Cut baguette into 1/2" slices. Place bread slices on a baking sheet.
• Broil the bread for 2 minutes or until toasted. Watch oven carefully!
• Divide and spread caramelized onion mixture over each bread slice. Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese and season with fresh cracked black pepper.
• Return to oven and broil for 1 minute or until cheese melts.
• Garnish each slice with 1 or 2 fresh basil leaves if desired.

CARAMELIZED ONION AND SHRIMP BRUSCHETTA

Steps:

• Place raisins in a small bowl and cover with boiling water; set aside for 30 minutes.
• Meanwhile, heat oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
• Add onions and cook, stirring often, until the onions are softened and beginning to color, 5 to 10 minutes.
• Cover, reduce heat to medium-low, and continue cooking, stirring occasionally, until the onions are golden brown, 15 to 25 minutes more.
• Drain and chop the raisins; add to the onions along with capers, dill, pepper, salt & a touch of hot sauce (to balance out the flavors).
• Cook uncovered, stirring, for 5 minutes.
• Transfer to a bowl and let cool for at least 30 minutes.
• Top each slice of bread with 1 tablespoon onion spread and 1 shrimp.