I made this recipe for the first time for my parents when they came to visit, showed it on Instagram and you guys loved it. Here’s my recipe for provolone cheese with balsamic caramelized onions, perfect to make on a grill or in the oven.
Melted provolone cheese
This recipe for melted gooey provolone cheese with balsamic caramelized onion is marvellous for cheese lovers. It’s a cheese that melts really well and pairs amazingly with the sweetness of the onion. It’s a real addiction. Make sure that you’re using provolone cheese and not “provoleta” which is a cheese that melts on the inside but is hard on the outside. It would also work with that one, but it won’t be as melty as you see in the photos. Provolone cheese melts really well and is even great for grilled cheese sandwiches.
Balsamic Caramelized onions
It’s really a must to know how to make a nice caramelized onion. They are delicious, sweet and extremely versatile. If you’re making caramelized onions for a special occasion and want to get a head start, you can refrigerate it for up to 5 days. Alternatively, you can freeze it for up to a year. If you’re a caramelized onion lover, here are a few recipes that might interest you, other than this provolone with balsamic caramelized onions:
I like to serve this provolone cheese with caramelized onions with grilled toasts. I usually make it on the grill, and so I use it for the toasts also. They are lovely, with those char lines I adore. If you wish, though, you can use store-bought ones or also bake them. The same goes for the cheese: if you like you can melt it on a grill or also in the oven, both with great results. In this recipe I will give the procedure for both methods.
Ingredients
For the balsamic caramelized onions
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1/2 large red onion / 1 whole small
- 2 tbsp balsamic vinegar
- Salt and pepper
For the provolone cheese
- 180 g provolone cheese
- Fresh oregano to finish optional
For the toasts
- 1 ciabatta bread or half a baguette cut in 5mm slices
- Olive oil
- Salt and pepper
Instructions
For the balsamic caramelized onions
- Preheat a small pan over medium heat.
- Add the oil and thinly sliced onion. Sautée until it becomes soft and golden.
- Add the salt, pepper and balsamic vinegar and let it reduce completely, it should look like honey on the onion.
- Remove from the heat and reserve.
For the provolone cheese
- Place the cheese in a small cast iron pan or in a grill-proof/ovenproof dish, depending on what you're using. Mine is 16cm/6' in diameter.
- Place in on a preheated grill or oven at 200°C/400°F for 10-15 minutes or until it's very melted.
- Serve immediately with the onion on top and fresh oregano leaves.
For the toasts
- Brush the bread slices generously with olive oil. Also, sprinkle with salt and pepper.
- Toast them on a grill, a couple of minutes per side. Alternatively, you can bake them in a preheated oven at 180°C/350°F FOR 10-12 minutes or until golden.
