APPLE, FONTINA AND CARAMELIZED ONIONS FILO BITES

Apple, Fontina and Caramelized Onions Filo Bites image

A delicious and totally make-ahead appetizer that is great for your holiday entertaining

Provided by Marilena Leavitt

Time 45m

Yield 24

Number Of Ingredients 10

Ingredients

2 TBSP. extra virgin olive oil
1 TBSP. butter
2 large onions, chopped
½ tsp. sea salt
2 med. Honey Crisp apples
1 tsp. ground cinnamon
2 TBSP. golden brown sugar
4 oz. Italian Fontina (or Gruyère) cheese, shredded
½ package FILLO FACTORY filo dough, defrosted & at room temperature
¼-⅓ cup butter for the filo, melted

Steps:

Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat and add the olive oil and the butter. Once the butter melts add the onions. Sauté the onions, stirring occasionally, until they are light golden brown. Add the salt and continue to cook and stir until the onions are well caramelized, about 20 minutes.
While the onions sauté, core and dice the apples (without peeling them). Combine the diced apples, cinnamon, and sugar in a bowl.
Add the apples to the skillet with the onions and sauté until the apples just begin to soften. Do not overcook. Remove from heat and set aside.
Heat the oven to 350°F. Lightly spray two mini muffin tins with oil and set them aside.
Unroll the 14"x18" package of filo and, with a sharp knife, cut it in half length-wise, leaving you with two stacks of 14"x9" sheets of filo. You will only need one of the stacks, so roll up the other, wrap it tightly with plastic wrap, and return to the refrigerator.
Place one sheet of filo on a clean surface with the longest side in front of you. Brush with some of the melted butter to coat. Place a second sheet of filo on top of the first and butter it again. After that, repeat with a third sheet and then a fourth (keep the rest of the filo covered while you work so it won't dry out.). Cut the stack of four filo sheets into 3 strips horizontally. Then, cut the fillo strips 4 times vertically, forming 12 squares, each about 3"x3". Lift each square of filo and gently place in a mini muffin tin hole. Repeat with the rest of the squares. Place a heaping spoonful of the onion and apple filling and top with some grated cheese. Repeat with a second stack of four filo sheets and fill the second mini muffin tin.
Bake for about 15 minutes or until the cheese is melted. Remove from the oven. Let cool slightly and then lift the fillo nests onto a serving platter. Serve at once.