Sweet & Savory Onion Jam: Homemade Delight
Creating Elegant Bruschetta with Homemade Onion Jam
Whip up a batch of delightful onion jam, perfect for elevating various dishes! This jam brings a wonderful sweet and savory depth to bruschetta, hot dogs, finger foods, and more. It’s also an excellent choice for wine pairings or party appetizers. Discover the rich flavor of caramelized onions transformed into a versatile condiment.
Onion Jam Ingredients- 4 medium onions (approx. 800g), thinly sliced
- 3 Tbsp balsamic vinegar
- 3 Tbsp granulated sugar
- 2 Tbsp olive oil
For the Bruschetta- Baguette, sliced and toasted
- Cream cheese, softened
- Warm onion jam
- Baby greens (e.g., arugula, mixed greens)
- Baguette, sliced and toasted
- Cream cheese, softened
- Warm onion jam
- Baby greens (e.g., arugula, mixed greens)
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
Begin by preparing the onions. Peel and thinly slice all 4 onions. Slicing them thinly is key for achieving a jam-like consistency and ensuring they cook down beautifully.
Step 2
Heat a skillet over medium-high heat and add 2 tablespoons of olive oil. Once the oil is shimmering, add the sliced onions. Sauté them, stirring occasionally.
Step 3
Continue to cook the onions for about 20 minutes, allowing their moisture to evaporate and their natural sugars to caramelize. You’re looking for a deep golden-brown color and a rich, sweet aroma.
Step 4
Once the onions are well caramelized, stir in 3 tablespoons of balsamic vinegar and 3 tablespoons of sugar. Reduce the heat to medium and continue to cook for another 10 minutes, stirring frequently, until the mixture thickens into a jam. The balsamic vinegar will add a wonderful tanginess.
Step 5
Your delicious onion jam is ready! You’ll notice a significant reduction in volume from the original amount of onions, yielding about 2 cups of jam. Let it cool before transferring to an airtight container. It can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.
Step 6
Now, let’s assemble the bruschetta. Toast your baguette slices until they are golden brown and crisp. You can do this in a toaster, oven, or on the stovetop.
Step 7
Spread a generous layer of softened cream cheese onto each toasted baguette slice. If you have Brie cheese, a thin slice placed on top of the cream cheese is also a delightful option. The creamy cheese provides a lovely base.
Step 8
Spoon a good dollop of the warm onion jam over the cream cheese (or Brie). The sweet and savory notes of the jam will be the star of this topping.
Step 9
Add a small handful of fresh baby greens on top of the jam. Arugula adds a pleasant peppery note that complements the sweetness of the onion jam.
Step 10
Optionally, you can add a few thin slices of fresh raw onion for an extra bite and onion flavor. This step is entirely up to your preference.
Step 11
Finish with a sprinkle of your favorite grated cheese, such as Parmesan, for a final touch of savory flavor. Your elegant onion jam bruschetta is now complete and ready to impress!
