Bruschetta With Caramelized Onion and Fresh Basil

I might as well jump on the Bruschetta Bandwagon! Experiment using local onions in your area! Also, try other similar hard cheeses in place of the Parmesan: asiago, fontina, pecorino romano, etc. From the cookinglight.com website with some changes.

• Ready In: 5 mins
• Yields: 1 baguette loaf

Ingredients

• 1  tablespoon butter
• 1  tablespoon olive oil
• 1  large onion, chopped
• 1  teaspoon sugar
• 1⁄4 cup  chopped fresh basil (NOT dried)
• 1  French baguette
• 1⁄2 cup  freshly grated parmesan cheese
•  fresh ground black pepper
•  fresh basil leaf, for garnish (optional)

Directions

1. Preheat oven on BROIL.
2. Heat the butter and olive oil in a small skillet over medium heat. Add the onion and sugar; cook 15-20 minutes or until very soft and golden brown; stirring frequently. Remove from heat.
3. Cool mixture slightly then stir in the fresh basil.
4. Cut baguette into 1/2" slices. Place bread slices on a baking sheet.
5. Broil the bread for 2 minutes or until toasted. Watch oven carefully!
6. Divide and spread caramelized onion mixture over each bread slice. Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese and season with fresh cracked black pepper.
7. Return to oven and broil for 1 minute or until cheese melts.
8. Garnish each slice with 1 or 2 fresh basil leaves if desired.