Appetizing Appetizer

I've had a thing for figs lately. In my recent quest for easy but delicious fig recipes, I came across this one. Doesn't this sound amazing - Crostini with gorgonzola, carmelized onions, and fig jam? YUM! Next time I host something, I'm for sure making this!

Crostini with Gorgonzola, Carmelized Onions, and Fig Jam
Yield 12 servings (serving size: 2 crostini)

Ingredients

• Jam:
• 1 cup dried Black Mission figs (about 6 ounces)
• 1 teaspoon lemon juice
• 2 cups water
• 2 tablespoons maple syrup
• Dash of salt
• 
  Onions:
• Cooking spray
• 2 cups vertically sliced yellow onion
• 1 teaspoon balsamic vinegar
• 1/2 teaspoon chopped fresh thyme
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup water (optional)
• 
  Remaining ingredients:
• 1/2 cup (4 ounces) Gorgonzola cheese, softened
• 24 (1-inch-thick) slices diagonally cut French bread baguette, toasted (about 12 ounces)
• 1 teaspoon fresh thyme leaves

Preparation

To prepare jam, remove stems from figs. Place figs and juice in a food processor; process until figs are coarsely chopped. Place fig mixture, 2 cups water, syrup, and dash of salt in a medium saucepan; bring to a boil. Reduce heat, and simmer 25 minutes or until thick. Cool completely.
To prepare onions, heat a large nonstick skillet coated with cooking spray over medium heat. Add onion, vinegar, 1/2 teaspoon thyme, and 1/4 teaspoon salt; cover and cook 5 minutes. Uncover and cook 20 minutes or until onion is deep golden brown, stirring occasionally. While onion cooks, add 1/2 cup water, 1/4 cup at a time, to keep onion from sticking to pan.
Spread 1 teaspoon cheese over each baguette slice. Top each slice with about 1 teaspoon onion mixture and 1 teaspoon jam. Sprinkle evenly with thyme leaves.

image+recipe/cookinglight