Monday, June 29, 2009

Yummy and Easy appetizer


BBQ season is in full swing right now. Y'all U.S.of A'ers know all too well that this weekend will be chock-full o'nuts of BBQs. I always like to bring something along so I don't feel guilty about eating my body weight in the host's food because it's nice. What I don't enjoy is messing up my kitchen before heading out. I don't want to come home all partied out and have a mess to clean up!
I just love easy appetizery things. This fits that bill. The "major" pre-work (I say major, but really, it's nothing big) can be done a day or two, or three in advance. The whole thing comes together quite quickly and lemmie tell ya, it gets a great reaction! I brought these babies to a get together Saturday night and got a positive reaction from all of the ladies present. It's normal for chicks to say something is good, but what I didn't expect was how my friend's hubby went on and on about them! He was even telling other guys how good they were!
Caramelized Onion and Cream Cheese Crostini
1 French baguette, sliced 1/4 - 1/2 inch thick slices (you can cheat here and buy pre-toasted, ready to go crostini)
1 container flavored Philadelphia cream cheese spread (I used spinach & artichoke, but they have several different ones to choose from)
2 large onions, sliced (I totally cheated here. My local stores sell pre-chopped onions and I used a 15oz container...NO TEARS!!!! Woo-hoo!)
In a medium to large saute pan, heat up several Tablespoons of butter or oil (I prefer the flavor of the butter) and toss in your onions.
Not done yet
Cook those bad boys down until they're a nice caramel color do you say it CARE-A-MELL or CAR-MULL?? I used to say the latter, but The Dude has broken my spirit and changed me to the former.
To reach this stage took between ten and fifteen minutes.

While those are cooking down, start slicing up your baguette (or if you're a cheater, just twiddle your thumbs). I put mind on a baking sheet and baked them at 350 degrees for ten minutes...ya just want them crunchy.
**Special Note** Be on the lookout for small children stealing baguettes and taking bites out of them!

Thankfully this was my "extra" loaf.
After those cool a bit, spread some of your desired cream cheese on the baguette slices then top with a bit of onions. I probably used less than 1 tsp of either per crostini.
The bread can be toasted in advance and the onions can be caramelized in advance. Easy does it. A few minutes before just plate those bad boys up and you're good to go. Done and donner.
Seriously, these are super yummy and easy to do. Do it. Do it. Do it!
****D'oh!!! Almost forgot to give credit where credit is due!! My lovely sister made these for us when she visited recently. So yeah, hearts to you for this recipe!

4 comments:

The Farmers Wife said...

mmm, that does look awesome! Add those to my ice cream cones and I am set for my summer diet!! Mmmmm

The Rambler said...

OH dear LORD that looks delish!!!

The Blonde Duck said...

Oh yum!

Unknown said...

i am totally skipping work early to go make this.

for realz.

i freakin' love caramelized onion.

and with cream cheese and bread?

holy heaven!

andy