Mini Caramelized Onion Focaccia Food

CARAMELISED ONION FOCACCIA

Steps:

• Mix the flours with the yeast and salt, add 1 tbsp oil, then pour in 320ml lukewarm water and mix well. You want a very soft dough - don't worry if it looks a little wet, this will make a lighter focaccia. Knead for 5 mins if using a stand mixer, or 10 mins by hand, using a dough scraper if you have one and lightly oiling your hands and the surface. Transfer the dough to a lightly oiled bowl, cover with a damp tea towel and leave to rise until it has doubled in size.
• Meanwhile, melt the butter in a large frying pan with the remaining oil, add the onions and a pinch of salt, and cook gently for 20 mins or until very soft. Pour in the vinegar and cook for a further 10 mins until sticky. Set aside to cool.
• Oil an A4-sized roasting tin, scrape in the dough and reshape in the tin (see tip, below), gently pushing the dough into the corners. Scatter over the onions, cover with a piece of lightly oiled cling film and leave until puffed up.
• Meanwhile, heat oven to 220C/200C fan/gas 7. Using your fingers, lightly dimple the dough all over, drizzle with a little oil and sprinkle with sea salt. Bake for 30 mins until golden brown. Can be made the day before and stored in an airtight container.

MINI ONION BLOSSOMS

Steps:

• For the onion blossoms: Slice off the tip of each onion and gently peel and remove the outer skin. Turn an onion root-side down and make 4 vertical cuts with a paring knife at 12 o'clock, 3 o'clock, 6 o'clock and 9 o'clock, leaving the base intact to create petals. Repeat this process for each onion.
• Add about 3 inches of oil to a large heavy-bottomed pot. Heat the oil to 350 degrees F over medium heat.
• Whisk together the flour, garlic powder, oregano, smoked paprika, seasoning salt and cayenne in a large bowl or shallow dish. Combine the buttermilk and egg in another large bowl.
• Place the onions in the flour mixture with a spoon, tossing slightly until they are well coated; shake off any excess. Submerge the onions cut-side up in the buttermilk mixture. Drain the onions slightly, then dredge them back in the flour mixture, making sure to coat each petal.
• Carefully place each onion root-side down into the hot oil with a slotted spoon and fry, flipping once, until golden brown, about 2 minutes. Drain on a paper towel-lined plate or cooling rack. Repeat with the remaining onions. Sprinkle with salt and serve warm with the dipping sauce.
• For the dipping sauce: Mix the mayonnaise, sour cream, ketchup, horseradish, cayenne, pepper and salt in a small bowl.

MINI CARAMELIZED ONION FOCACCIA

Steps:

• For dough:
• Whisk together the warm water, yeast, sugar, and melted butter in a small bowl; let stand until yeast is dissolved, about 10 minutes.
• Whisk 1 1/4 cups flour and salt together in a medium bowl. Add yeast mixture to flour mixture and stir with a wooden spoon until mixture clumps together. Mix until incorporated. Add more flour, a little at a time, if dough is too wet.
• Turn dough out onto a lightly floured work surface and knead until smooth and elastic, about 3 minutes.
• Divide dough into 12 equal pieces; roll each into a ball. Place on a flour-dusted baking sheet; cover with plastic wrap. Let rise in a warm place until doubled in size, about 45 to 60 minutes. (Dough can be made up to this point 1 day ahead. Keep covered and refrigerate.)
• For caramelized onions:
• Heat oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add onion slices to skillet and season with 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt.
• Cook onions without turning until they are softened and beginning to brown, about 5 to 7 minutes. Add sherry vinegar and honey and stir well to incorporate; reduce heat to medium and continue to cook until onions are tender and brown, occasionally stirring gently, about 10 minutes. Season, to taste, with salt.
• Remove skillet from heat and cool. (Onions can be prepared up to 1 day ahead. Cover and refrigerate.)
• Preheat oven to 450 degrees F.
• Sprinkle 2 baking sheets lightly with cornmeal.
• Roll out each dough ball to 3 to 4-inch rounds. Transfer 6 rounds to each prepared baking sheet. Pierce dough all over with fork. Brush generously with extra-virgin olive oil.
• Arrange onions evenly atop each round, leaving 1/4-inch plain border. Top with thyme leaves. Bake flatbreads until crusts are puffed and golden, about 12 to 15 minutes.
• Sprinkle crumbled goat cheese on top of each mini focaccia. Transfer to serving platter and serve immediately.