Braised Onions with Blue Cheese Prep: 10 min, Cook: 25 min.

• 1 Tbs. olive oil
• 2 large red onions, cut into 1/2 inch slices
• 1 cup vegetable stock
• 1/4 lb. blue cheese, crumbled
• 1/4 cup dried breadcrumbs
• 2 Tbs. port wine (optional)
• 2 Tbs. unsalted butter

Heat oil in a heavy nonstick skillet over medium heat. Sauté onion slices in a single layer 2-3 minutes per side or until browned. Add stock and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium low. Cover skillet and simmer 10 minutes or until onions are tender. Transfer onion slices to a baking dish. Add wine to same skillet, stirring with a wooden spoon to deglaze. Simmer 2 minutes or until mixture is reduced to 1/2 cup. Remove from heat. Whisk in butter 1 Tbs. at a time. Turn on broiler. Season onion slices with salt and pepper to taste. Sprinkle with blue cheese and breadcrumbs. Place under broiler 1 minute or until breadcrumbs are golden brown. Serve sauce over onions.

Bleu Cheese Onion Pie

Pie Crust:
For 2 uncovered pies or a top and bottom for one pie
3 cups flour
1 and 1/2 teaspoons salt
1 tablespoon sugar
1 and 1/2 cups butter
1/2 cup cold water
1 egg, beaten
1 tablespoon vinegar

Combine sifted flour, sugar and salt in a bowl. Cut the butter into the mix with a pastry blender until the consistency is fairly coarse, with lumps the size of peas. Stir and work in the egg, water and vinegar and roll the dough out on a floured board. Line the pie pan with dough, flute the edges and pour in the filling and then bake. This pie calls for only a bottom crust, so you can save the extra dough in the freezer or make two pies.

To prepare the filling for one pie use the following ingredients:

Filling:
1/4 cup bleu cheese, crumbled
1 tablespoon butter
6 large onions, peeled and thinly sliced
salt and pepper to taste
1 tablespoon flour
1 cup heavy cream
4 whole eggs

Preheat the oven to 400F. Heat the butter in a large frying pan and saute the onions until soft, about 10 to 15 minutes over a low heat. Salt and pepper the onions to your taste, then turn off the heat and sprinkle on the flour. Add the cream and stir well, blending all the ingredients. Add eggs, one at a time, while stirring and when thoroughly mixed, pour into the prepared pie crust. Sprinkle the crumbled bleu cheese on top and place into the oven and bake for 35 to 45 minutes, until the top is nicely browned, but not burnt. Let cool and serve with a salad and some crisp white wine.