Appetizers

Red onion canapés

⏱ 45 min🍳 20 min👤 6 pp★☆☆☆☆

A delicious, colourful appetizer designed to pleasantly surprise both the palate and the eye, perfect for impressing your guests and making the most ordinary of meals something special and well-presented. The filling of these little canapés is made from red onions, tender and pleasantly 'sweet-and-sour'. Perfect as a starter or as part of a buffet. Serve while still warm or at room temperature, whichever you prefer. And don't forget to open a good bottle of sparkling wine!

Ingredients

Nutritional values 280 kcal / serving

Protein
8g
Carbohydrates
28g
Fat
15g
Fiber
1g

* approximate values per serving

Information
45 minutes Total time
20 minutes Active time
Serves 6 persons
★☆☆☆☆ Easy

Preparation

Peel the onions and cut them into reasonably thick slices. Add a little oil to a frying pan and sweat the onions for about twenty minutes . When they are nicely softened add the sugar, salt and balsamic vinegar, then deglaze. Remove from the heat. Roll out the pastry and cut out some circles of about 5 cm in diameter using either a pastry cutter or a small glass. Arrange the pastry circles on an oven tray lined with baking parchment. Sprinkle each circle with the parmesan. Place a slice of onion on top of the parmesan. Finish by pinching and raising up the dough around the onion, leaving it slightly raised. Brush with the beaten egg yolk and bake for 20 minutes at 180°C. Top with some more shavings of parmesan and a few marjoram leaves, then serve.

Tips
When serving, finish with a few leaves of marjoram and some drops of balsamic vinegar, perhaps in the form of a glaze
Trivia
The famous 'Tropea' red onion from Italy is an IGP product (Indicazione Geografica Protetta), meaning that it is of protected status

Step by step

Ingredients
Ingredients
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Additional information

Red Onion Puff Pastries with Grana and Balsamic Glaze

One of the most delicious variations of red onion puff pastries is the one that includes grana. This cheese, with its intense and aromatic flavor, pairs perfectly with the sweetness of Tropea onions, creating a balance of flavors that makes the dish even tastier. To prepare this version, simply generously sprinkle the grana over the pastry discs before baking them. The final result will be a crispy pastry with a soft and flavorful center, perfect as an appetizer or snack for your dinners. You can also try substituting the grana with other hard cheeses, such as parmesan, to give a different twist to the preparation.

Calabrian Red Onion Puff Pastries

If you want to discover a regional variation of red onion puff pastries, you cannot miss the Calabrian version. In Calabria, Tropea onions are a fundamental ingredient, and their use in this recipe enhances the authentic flavor of the dish. Here, the onions are slowly cooked until they become sweet and caramelized, a process that further enhances their natural flavor. In this preparation, you can also add a pinch of Calabrian chili to give a spicy and characteristic touch. The puff pastries prepared this way are a true homage to Calabrian culinary tradition, perfect to be served on special occasions or simply for an aperitif with friends.

Light Red Onion Puff Pastries without Butter

For those who desire a lighter version of red onion puff pastries, it is possible to prepare them without butter. By using light puff pastry and replacing the butter with a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil, you can achieve a tasty but less caloric dish. This variant is perfect for those on a diet or for anyone who simply wants to maintain a healthy lifestyle. Moreover, the flavor of Tropea onions will remain unchanged, and the pastry will still be crispy and appetizing. A great idea is to accompany these pastries with a herb yogurt sauce, which adds freshness and lightness to the dish, making it ideal for a summer lunch.

Benefits of Red Onions and Nutritional Values of Puff Pastries

Red onions, particularly Tropea ones, are an ingredient rich in beneficial properties. They are known for their antioxidant properties, thanks to the presence of flavonoids, and they help strengthen the immune system. Additionally, onions can have positive effects on cardiovascular health, helping to keep cholesterol levels in check. As for the red onion puff pastries, each serving provides about 150-200 calories, depending on the ingredients used. They are an ideal snack if consumed in moderation, but it is important to keep an eye on portion sizes, especially if opting for richer, fattier variants.

Can Red Onion Puff Pastries be Frozen?

Yes, red onion puff pastries can be frozen. It is advisable to do so before cooking, in order to preserve the freshness of the ingredients. Once you have prepared the pastry discs with the onion filling, you can place them on a tray and freeze them. Once solid, you can transfer them to a food bag or an airtight container. When you want to enjoy them, simply bake them directly in the oven without thawing, slightly increasing the cooking time. This way, you will always have a delicious snack available to serve on any occasion!