Monday, May 20, 2013

Camembert, Caramelized Onions and Fig Jam Crostini | Secret Recipe Club



Time is flying by.  I can’t believe it is time for another Secret Recipe Club reveal.  If you have not heard about the Secret Recipe Club, then let me share a quick snapshot of what all of the fun is about.  Essentially it is a group of approximately two hundred food bloggers who are paired with another food blogger monthly and it is a secret who has who.  During the month, you get to stalk – okay – peruse the blogger who you were assigned to determine what recipe you will choose to make.  If you want to learn more, simply click here.

(Click "Read More" below to continue post)




For May I had the pleasure of being assigned to Rachel from The Avid Appetite.  It is hard to believe that three years ago she could barely cook and now she has a beautiful food blog.  She is married to the love of her life Shaun and wanted to whip up tasty delights for everyone who came over to enjoy the footballs games. They recently welcomed Penelope to their family and you can sense the happiness that she brings to both Rachel and her hubby.  Rachel loves to travel, cook, and eat at great restaurants and blog about her adventures.

After spending quite a bit of time looking through her delicious recipe list of mouthwatering recipes, I stay true to what I most love to make and that is appetizers.  One in particular just stood above the rest – Gorgonzola Fig Crostini.  I wanted to mix it up a bit and chose Camembert and used my homemade Balsamic Fig Jam along with well caramelized onions.


I actually hosted a dinner party over the weekend and thought these appetizers would be a perfect addition to the appetizer menu. If you want to see photos of each dish served during the dinner party, check out Instagram.  I also served my Pimento Cheese and Bacon Jam Toast Points to my guests.  Let’s just say, both appetizers were enjoyed by all and nothing left on either serving tray. 

These are super simple to make and if you don’t want to make homemade jam, you find great quality fig jam at Trader Joe’s, your local supermarket or online.  This Crostini can be made an hour before your guests arrive, so you can sit down and enjoy a glass of wine and some appetizers.



Camembert, Caramelized Onions and Fig Jam Crostini

Makes 24

1 Sourdough Baguette
Olive oil
Salt
1 Large Onion
5 Tablespoons Butter
1 Tablespoon Sugar
Salt and Pepper
Camembert Cheese

Preheat the broiler on the oven to high.
Slice baguette into 24 slices about ½ inch thick.  Brush each side with olive oil and sprinkle one side with a bit of salt.  Place under the broiler until each side is golden brown and set aside to cool.

Spread about a generous teaspoon of Camembert on each toasted Crostini.  Next spread about a teaspoon of Fig Jam on each one and top with a teaspoon of Caramelized Onion.

Caramelized Onions

Peel the onion and cut in half.  Slice into thin slices.  Melt the butter in a large skillet and add the onions.  Next add the sugar and a bit of salt and pepper.  With thongs, toss until onions are well covered with the melted butter.  Over medium heat, continue to cook the onions and tossing frequently until dark golden brown.  Remove from the heat.



32 comments:

  1. These are perfect for my next appetizer party. I love, love, love caramelized onions!!

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  2. These look amazing Lisa, only you can take something like caramelized onions and make them look like a work of art!

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  3. Figs, onions, cheese, bread.....a grand slam for sure! Love love love the combo of flavors. Great choice for SRC!

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  4. Looks amazing! I cannot wait to try the recipe this way next time!

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  5. Lisa, you have The best crostini recipes! This looks amazing!!

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    1. Thank you Valerie! They are one of my favorite things to make!

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  6. Every time you post a crostini, I decide it's my favorite. Then you post another, and I like it even more than the last! :) Such a winning combo of toppings!

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  7. LOL - I saw the crostini and immediately thought it might be you! Another fabulous recipe! BTW - there's a crostini recipe on my blog that my daughter-in-law made. Shrimp on a spicy arugula sauce. It's called Garlic Shrimp Crostini. Have a feeling you'll love it as much as we do.

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    1. Thanks Kate! I will pop by your site to check out that recipe - it sounds tasty!

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  8. This is right up my alley. Definitely making it for my next girls' night!

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  9. OMG! these just flew to the top of the MustMake list, right along with your recipe for fig jam. Great photos too, BTW.

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  10. This looks DELICIOUS!!!! I LOVE Camembert, one of my favorite cheeses, and the onions and fig jam sound like the PERFECT addition to it! I'm pinning this, thanks for sharing!

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  11. All I can say is: yum. These look delicious. Forget them as an appetizer, I will take them for dinner!

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  12. Lisa: What a simple yet great recipe...I love the well-paired combination of the caramelized onions with the fig jam topping the cheese. I real explosion of flavors...

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  13. I am drooling! This would make such a great pizza topping as well :)

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  14. These are FABULOUS, Lisa! I'm lining up some great crostini toppings to serve when I move...and this one tops the list! I LOVE caramelized onions...and fig jam. Have a great week!

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  15. This looks so delicious!!! I am a sucker for caramelized onions and the fig jam is the perfect combo and then of course the Camembert!! Going to make this for sure!!!

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  16. These look incredible! What a great appetizer!

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  17. There's nothing I don't love about this recipe - wow!

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  18. Those caramelized onions on top looks so perfect! I can almost taste them now!

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  19. I love the simplicity yet elegance of this dish! I can't wait to make it at my next dinner party.

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  20. Your pictures are breathtaking, Lisa...and this has got to be one of my favorite SRC posts this month. These must taste amazing!!!

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  21. I could make a meal out of these crostini! I bet those carmelized onions and Camembert just melt in your mouth. Delicious!

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  22. time is flying by...I can't think of a better time for a delicious new appetizer recipe;-) This one would be perfect for entertaining friends...thanks for sharing such a fantastic recipe ;-)

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  23. These fig crostini make for a beautiful appetizer-paired with a sparkling wine this would be divine.

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  24. You have the best appetizers! I have 0. Literally not a one, which is a bit ridiculous. Anyway, these look great and caramelized onions?! Ooh. :)

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  25. This sounds so French; I do it with blue cheese/Gorgonzola. The camembert looks like another great flavor to try out under the onion-fig-jam layers.
    Will do it tomorrow, can hardly wait.

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  26. I've been adding caramelized onions or shallots to everything. This appetizer you picked for the secret recipe club is so you. Perfect! :)

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  27. I love this recipe and make it all the time. It is always inhaled by guests as soon as it hits the table, and it's such an easy, quick appetizer to make. Thank you! I substitue cambozola for the camembert. Alison

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