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Food & Wine Recipe

Gruyère Toasts with Caramelized Onions and Sherry

Contributed by and
  • ACTIVE: 25 MIN
  • TOTAL TIME: 1 HR 20 MIN
  • SERVINGS: Makes 4 dozen toasts
  • •MAKE-AHEAD
  • •VEGETARIAN

  1. 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
  2. 4 large onions, thinly sliced
  3. 1/4 cup fino sherry
  4. 1 1/2 teaspoons caraway seeds, lightly toasted
  5. Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper
  6. 12 slices of rye bread from a square loaf of rye or European pumpernickel bread
  7. 1/2 cup whole-grain mustard
  8. 10 ounces Gruyère cheese, coarsely shredded
  1. Heat 2 tablespoons of the olive oil in each of 2 large skillets. Add half of the onions to each skillet and cook over moderately low heat for 1 hour, stirring occasionally, or until nicely browned. Scrape all of the onions into 1 skillet. Stir in the sherry and caraway seeds and cook until the sherry is completely absorbed, about 1 minute. Season with salt and pepper.
  2. Preheat the oven to 400°. Lightly spread 1 side of each slice of bread with the mustard and arrange on a large baking sheet. Top with the onions and cheese. Season with pepper.
  3. Bake the open-faced sandwiches for 6 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and the edges of the bread are toasted. Transfer the toasts to a cutting board and cut into triangles.
Make Ahead The recipe can be prepared through Step 2 up to 4 hours ahead.