Cheese Rolls

This is very tasty cheese roll from New Zealand. This is also popular as Southland Cheese Roll. In fact, this is a comfort food as well as quick one in the island. The cheesy roll has caramelized onions and cheese which is toasted - butter, cheese, bread and caramelized onions - and that is divine! These rolls are great for breakfast, with soup for lunch or dinner, or with tea! This is a sophisticated grilled cheese!

This recipe uses caramelized onions. Though a quicker version may be used a onion soup mix, I prefer using fresh ingredients. Caramelizing onions may take about 30 minutes and hence chose to do this. Fresh is always best! The filling can be made ahead and stored. The rolls prepared with the filling can also be made ahead and then just baked till golden when needed. Now that is called convenience and comfort. This can be a great appetizer in any party. 

Oceanic cuisine is rich in flavorful food from appetizer to deserts. Many of them have coconut as an ingredient as many islands have this abundant. New Zealand is one of the country in Oceania and this cheese roll is a popular food there. Green Paw Paw curry made with green papayas is common in many island countries in Oceania like Fiji, Solomon Islands, Marshall Islands. Kaima Bona Gatoi is an excellent grilled vegetable side which is simple and amazing is from Papua New Guinea. Try these recipes from Oceania and let me know how you loved them. This is my third post I am sharing for three day Blogging Marathon this week.

These rolls are amazing with a Simple Tomato Soup. I am also linking this to Full Plate Thursday and Thursday Favorite Things.

Ingredients

Onions - 5 cups, sliced

Oil - 3 tbsp

Butter - 3 to 4 tbsp, melted

Cream cheese - 1/2 cup, softened

Cheddar cheese - 1 to 1.5 cups, shredded

Bread slices - 12

Method

Heat oil in a Dutch oven and add the sliced onions with about 1/8 tsp salt. Caramelize the onions and this may take about 30 minutes.

Add salt and pepper and continue to cook for a minute. Transfer to a bowl to cool.

Add the cream cheese and cheddar cheese.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Spread about a tablespoon of this mixture on each slice of bread. Roll up each slice of bread into a tight roll and arrange in a baking tray. Brush with butter. Bake for 17-18 minutes.

Serve warm.