Stuffed Onion Slices on a Plank
Stuffed Onion Slices on a Plank
This is a fantastic and easy recipe for stuffed onions cooked right on the grill. Instead of using a whole onion, these are sliced, placed on to a plank, and topped with a delectable blue cheese filling. These stuffed onion slices make one heck of an appetizer, side dish, or burger topper.
Ingredients
- olive oil
- 2 large wood planks (cherry or red oak)
- salt and black pepper to taste
- For stuffed onions:
- 2 large sweet onions (peeled and sliced 1/2" thick)
- 1 cup blue cheese crumbles
- 1/3 cup walnuts (toasted and chopped)
- 1 1/2 teaspoons fresh thyme leaves
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Soak wood planks in tepid water for at least 30 minutes before using.
- Preheat grill for medium high heat.
- Toast walnuts in a skillet for 2-3 minutes. Make sure to move them around while in the pan, or else they run the risk of burning. Once they become fragrant, remove from heat and cool for 2-3 minutes. Chop into smaller pieces and set aside.
- Peel and slice onions into 1/2" thick rounds. Remove planks from water and pat dry with paper towels. Brush planks with olive oil, and carefully place onion slices on top-- about 3 slices per plank. Brush the tops of onion with oil and season with a little salt and black pepper.
- Combine blue cheese with chopped walnuts, fresh thyme leaves, and black pepper. Cover and place mixture into refrigerator.
- Place planks with onion slices onto grill. Close lid and cook for 12-15 minutes. Reduce heat if needed. Onions should be almost tender and starting to brown around the edges.
- Scoop about 1/4 cup of blue cheese filling onto each slice. I find it's easier to do this by hand, rather than using a spoon. Close lid to grill and continue cooking for 3 minutes, or until cheese just begins to melt. Remove from grill, slice into fourths, and serve.
Notes
Photo by: Sabrina Baksh Nuts: Not a fan of walnuts? Use pecans, pine nuts, or even chopped almonds for this recipe. If you have a tree nut allergy, perhaps a seed alternative like pepitas or sunflower seeds would work. You can also use crushed pretzels, nut free ones, of course. Onions: I have only used sweet onions for this dish because I find that it works best with a tart cheese like blue cheese. However, if you'd like to substitute with red onions, or white onions, then certainly give it a try. It might be a little (or a lot) stronger in flavor, so keep that in mind. Cheese: I love blue cheese, so if I can find a use for it I will use it! However, not everyone is a fan, so substituting with a tangy cheese like feta would be my recommendation. I have not used a vegan blue cheese or feta alternative in this recipe, but I imagine it would work just fine. Adjust the cooking times as needed. Burger Topper: This dish works really well on grilled, pan fried, or smoked burgers. Simply use a spatula to scoop it right off the plank and right on top of a freshly cooked burger patty.
