Caramelized Onion, Apple and Gruyere Bites #BrunchWeek

Brunch is one of those meals where anything goes. Think about all the different kinds of food you see on a brunch menu or spread out on the table at a gathering. You could see everything from eggs, toast, quiche, and muffins to pancakes smothered in chocolate chips and syrup, stuffed french toast, coffee cake, and brownies. You'll see potatoes, cheese and crackers, bread, fruit, coffee, tea, and cocktails. Brunch is an all-or-nothing meal and that's what makes it so freaking good.
This is also what makes it such a special meal. It certainly isn't something you’d eat everyday, and usually when you "do brunch," you're getting together with family and/or friends for some kind of celebration — whether it's a birthday, baby shower, holiday, or just the mere fact that you have an afternoon free to enjoy good food and good company.

If you appreciate brunch, then I'm sure you've been enjoying the past couple days of Brunch Week and are really looking forward to the rest of the week. Today I'm sharing a recipe that I made for the tapas party I catered in March; Caramelized Onion, Apple and Gruyere Bites. While these little bites make an excellent appetizer or snack, it would also be the perfect dish for brunch. 

 

Caramelized Onion, Apple and Gruyere Bites1 tbsp olive oil
2 Vidalia onions, julienned
1/2 cup balsamic vinegar
2 Granny Smith apples, peeled and cut into 1/2-inch slices
1 package frozen puff pastry sheets, thawed
3 oz Gruyere cheese, cut into 1/2-inch slices
Preheat the oven to 400 degrees.
Heat oil in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add onions; do not stir. Let the onions sit and cook until translucent.  Add the balsamic vinegar and stir until onions are covered in the liquid. Continue to cook until the liquid has been absorbed.
Roll the puff pastry sheets flat onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat. There are two sheets in a box; use both of them and lay next to each other to form one long sheet. Pour onions onto the puff pastry, covering it in entirety. Arrange the apple slices over the onions and top with slices of gruyere cheese. Bake for 15 minutes or until the cheese has melted.
If you want to give the puff pastry most of a crispy crust, place under the broiler for another minute. Make sure you watch closely so it does not burn.

Don't forget to enter the GIVEAWAY and check out all the other #BrunchWeek recipes here!

Brunch Beverages:
Raspberry-Mango Batido from Foxes Love Lemons

Blackberry Mimosas from Quarter Life (Crisis) Cuisine

Brunch Egg Dishes:
Spinach Bell Pepper Frittata from That Skinny Chick Can Bake

Corn Souffle from Hungry Couple
Croque Madame Muffins from Cooking in Stilettos
Fajita Vegetable Quesadillas with Eggs and Avocado Hollandaise from Sarcastic Cooking
Bacon, Cheddar, Zucchini Quiche from The Kitchen Prep

Brunch Breads and Grains:
Blueberry Cornmeal Waffles from The Girl in the Little Red Kitchen

Busy Bee's Granola from Culinary Adventures with Camilla
Chocolate Dipped Banana Hazelnut Pancake Kebabs from Food Faith Fitness
Springtime Sweet Rolls from Eat Your Heart Out
10 Minute English Muffin Cream Cheese Danish from Neighborfood
Lemon Poppyseed Scones from Real Housemoms
Apple Croissants from Hip Foodie Mom
Vanilla Chai Quick Bread from Savvy Eats
Fig and Oatmeal Breakfast Bar from My Catholic Kitchen
Banana Chocolate Chip Muffins from Jen's Favorite Cookies

Brunch Fruits, Vegetables, Sides: 
Roasted Beet Salad with Pistachios and Blue Cheese from Healthy. Delicious.

Caramelized Onion, Apple and Gruyere Bites from Take a Bite out of Boca
Savory Truffles from Jane's Adventures in Dinner
Brunch Desserts: 

Orange Marmalade Pound Cake from Love and Confections

Hazelnut-Blackberry Cottage Pudding from The Vintage Cook
Orange Surprise Inside Pound Cake from Chelsea's Messy Apron
Strawberry Hazelnut Crumble with Coconut Whipped Cream from The Little Ferraro Kitchen
Corn Fritter Shortcakes with Maple Whipped Cream from The Spiffy Cookie


A huge thank you to all our amazing #BrunchWeek sponsors. Please follow these lovely folks on their social media sites:

California Walnuts Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Google+ Bob’s Red Mill - Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Instagram
Dixie Crystals - Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest OXO – Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest  Whole Foods Market Orlando Faceboook, Twitter, Pinterest, Instagram,
Stemilt - Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Blog
Baloian Farms - Facebook
Woot Froot - Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest
Vidalia Onion - Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest
Grimmway Farms - Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest
Bonne Maman - Pinterest Disclaimer: California Walnuts, Bob’s Red Mill, Oxo, Dixie Crystals, Whole Foods Market Doctor Phillips, Grimmway Farms, Woot Froot, Vidalia Onion, Baloian Farms, Stemilt and Bonne Maman are providing the prizes free of charge.  I have received product related to these brands to use for #Brunchweek. All opinions stated are my own.