Open-Faced Wine Braised Fig and Caramelized Onion Sandwich
prep time: 30 min.total time: 40 min.
- Ingredients (serves 4):
- 2 medium sweet yellow onions
- 3 Tbsp Mezzetta® Brand Extra Virgin Italian Olive Oil
- 1/2 tsp sea salt
- 1/2 tsp fresh cracked pepper
- 1 tsp chopped fresh thyme
- 1 tsp granulated sugar
- 1 cup Mezzetta® Brand Marinated Sweet Roasted Yellow and
- Red Sweet Peppers, sliced
- 3 Tbsp Fig Balsamic Vinegar (or regular Balsamic if you can't find Fig)
- 16-18 fresh black mission figs, (or dry if fresh is not available)
- 1 cup of semi-sweet white wine
- 1 cup Mezzetta® Brand Pitted Calamata Olives
- 1/4 cup honey
- 1/4 cup Mezzetta® Brand Extra Virgin Italian Olive Oil
- 4 ounces shaved Manchego Cheese
- 1 large loaf Ciabatta bread
- 1/2 cup melted butter
- Chopped parsley for garnish
- *Calculated ingredients may not always be as accurate as the original recipe.
- Directions:
- 1. To prepare the caramelized onions, slice each onion in half and slice into 1/8 of inch slices. Pour Extra Virgin Olive Oil in a large sauté pan and add in onions, salt, pepper, thyme and sugar. Cook onions over medium-high heat for about 18-20 minutes or until onions are golden brown. Add in the Roasted Yellow and Red Sweet Peppers and fig balsamic vinegar, remove from heat.
- 2. Prepare the figs by cutting off the stem end and cutting the fig in half and place cut side down in a sauté pan with the wine, simmer on low to medium-low heat until wine is reduced by 2/3; remove from heat.
- 3. Combine the Calamata olives, honey and oil in blender, set aside.
- 4. Turn the oven to broil. Cut bread into 4 equal parts and cut each part in half horizontally. Brush the cut sides of the bread with the butter and arrange on a foil lined baking sheet. Place under the broiler for about 2 minutes or until bread is lightly toasted.
- 5. Once bread is toasted remove from the oven and put an equal amount of olive honey spread, an equal amount of caramelized onion/pepper mixture, an equal amount of fig halves and the shaved Manchego cheese. Place back under the broiler to melt the cheese.
- 6. To serve, place two slices of the open faced sandwich on each plate, sprinkle with chopped parsley as a garnish.
Interview with Ninette Holbrook
Open-Faced Wine Braised Fig and Caramelized Onion Sandwich (Vegetarian Category)
How did you feel when you found out you won the contest?
I was absolutely beside myself. I still have to keep saying it out loud to reinforce the fact that I won.
How did you come up with the idea for the winning sandwich?
I have always loved figs - fresh, dried, savory or sweet. My husband and I even planted a fig tree the year we got married. I also love caramelized onions and put them on so many dishes. I was using these two ingredients for a while on pizza and in other dishes and tweaking the recipe. Then I thought the Mezzetta kalamata olive/honey spread that I use for another dish would be a perfect accompaniment to the sandwich and once we tried it we thought "wow this is a winner" and lo and behold it was!
Have you ever won a cooking contest before?
No, this was the first year that I began competing in the cooking contest world. I kept seeing people on TV competing and winning and thought "I can do that." Now, I am hooked and will continue to enter competitions.
Why do you think gourmet sandwiches are becoming such a trend?
First, I think that everyone loves a good sandwich. Second, for many people sandwiches are a comfort food that takes them mentally and emotionally to a happy place. Third, the gourmet aspect just elevates the sandwich to something that is just more sophisticated and allows for more creativity and imagination.
How long have you been using Mezzetta products? Which is your favorite?
My family is from the Mediterranean region of the world and we have been eating Mezzetta products as long I can remember, which for me would be the 1980's. Especially the olives and the Giardiniera.
Where do you shop for Mezzetta products?
I shop at Publix and Walmart most of the time.
Any plans yet for the prize money?
We would love to start a family one day and get a house with a little more room so this money will go towards starting a "new home" fund. Maybe a pair or two of shoes as well!
Have you ever been to the Napa Valley?
Yes, we love Napa Valley and the San Francisco area. I have been there 5 times in the past 12 years and we were just there 2 years ago for our honeymoon.
What are looking forward to doing during your stay?
Relaxing! Perhaps trying to eat at The French Laundry. We hear it is definitely an experience. We'll see if we can get a reservation! Also, very much looking forward to meeting all the wonderful people behind the Mezzetta brand.
Biographical Info
Age? (You can make this an approximation!)
36
Profession?
Advertising Account Supervisor and lifelong foodie!
Married? Children? Pets? Names?
I am married to the most wonderful man in the world, Dave. We have two wonderful dogs, who eat very well.
How long a resident of Orlando, FL?
9 years
Other hobbies, passions, pastimes?
Other than my first passion, my husband, cooking and baking! I watch Food Network all the time and subscribe to almost all the cooking magazines. I also love to travel and spend time with my family and friends.
Anything else you would like to add?
I am amazed that my first cooking contest win is for this much money. It is just such an honor to be the Grand Prize winner, hoping I can stop pinching myself soon!!