French Onion Bites

Total Time: 1 hr Preparation Time: 30 mins Cook Time: 30 mins

Ingredients

• 1 baguette, sliced 1/4-inch thick (36 slices)
• 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 2 onions, large chopped (about 4 cups)
• 1 garlic clove, lightly crushed
• 1 bay leaf
• 1 sprig fresh thyme
• 1/4 cup wine (i used cream sherry)
• 1 1/2 cups gruyere, finely shredded (about 3 oz)

Recipe

• 1 preheat oven to 375 f with rack in middle.
• 2 arrange slices on a large baking sheet and bake in oven until golden, about 6-8 minutes. let cool.
• 3 meanwhile, heat butter and oil in a 10-inch heavy skillet over medium heat until butter is melted, then cook onion, garlic, bay leaf, and thyme with 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper, covered, stirring occasionally, 10 minutes.
• 4 uncover skillet and cook, stirring occasionally, until deep golden, about 10 to 15 minutes more. add wine and cook until entirely evaporated, 1 to 2 minutes. discard garlic clove, bay leaf, and thyme. transfer to a small bowl and keep warm, covered.
• 5 preheat broiler.
• 6 arrange toasts on a large baking sheet, then top each with a rounded teaspoon of caramelized onions and sprinkle generously with shredded gruyere. broil 3- to 4-inches from heat until cheese is melted, 1 to 2 minutes (watch carefully).
• 7 steps that can be done ahead of time:.
• 8 onions can be caramelized 3-5 days ahead and kept chilled.
• 9 bread slices can be toasted and cheese shredded 1-2 days ahead. keep toasts in an airtight container at room temperature and keep cheese chilled.