Picnics are so much fun. At least it is when the weather cooperates. I haven't been on one in far too long. The last time I can recall is when we had our boat many years ago. I would pack a basket and a cooler to take on our day trips to the lake. We always invited friends to join us for fun on the water. After a full morning of water skiing, tubing, and swimming we would stop, drop anchor, and enjoy a picnic lunch.
Water sports can build up a big appetite. I made sure to pack plenty so everyone would get their fill. After lunch we would relax and enjoy sunning while the boat was gently rocking in the water. Once we were re-energized it would be an afternoon of more skiing and boating. Back then the sandwiches were not "fancy". They were a bun or roll with turkey or ham and some cheese. Fast forward to today and what I would choose for a picnic is a caramelized onion, goat cheese, and tomato sandwich.
A ciabatta roll is my choice for this sandwich. You could use a loaf and slice it. I used a splash of balsamic vinegar at the end of cooking the onions because it goes so well with tomato. A creamy goat cheese is a perfect spread. A fresh-picked, ripe tomato is the best choice. Heirloom tomatoes would be even better. Wrap the sandwiches in parchment and bring plenty of napkins. The onions will to try to escape and drip all over. The sandwiches are messy, sweet, tangy, savory chewy, and oh so good. Perhaps pack brownies for dessert.
When was the last time you went on a picnic? It's the time of year to get out and enjoy nature. Goodbye cold weather and hello summer! Would you like some more recipes for dining outdoors? Scroll down to see what the talented Sunday Supper bloggers are sharing for our event.
Caramelized Onion, Goat Cheese, and Tomato Sandwich
Ingredients
For the caramelized onions:
- 3 large onions cut in half and sliced
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
- ½ teaspoon sugar
- Salt and fresh ground pepper
- 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
For the sandwiches:
- 4 ciabatta rolls about 4 inches wide
- 5 ounces creamy goat cheese
- 1 tomato sliced
Instructions
For the caramelized onions:
- Heat the olive oil and butter in a wide sauté pan over medium-high heat until the butter melts and the oil shimmers. Add the onions and toss to coat with oil/butter.
- Spread the onions out evenly in the pan and cook, stirring occasionaly, about 10 minutes. Lower the heat to medium or medium-low if the onions are browning too quickly. You do not want them to burn.
- Sprinkle the onions with the sugar, salt, and pepper. Stir and continue to cook an additional 30 mintues to one hour, until the onions are evenly browned and caramelized.
- While the onions are cooking, stir occasionally and add very small amount of oil or water if the onions look too dry or about to burn.
- Once the onions are evenly brown and caramelized, add the balsamic vinegar to deglaze the pan. Be sure to scrape up the browned bits on the pan. Cook for an additional 1 to 2 minutes.
For the sandwiches:
- Slice the rolls in half. Spread goat cheese on the bottom half. Top with caramelized onions and a tomato slice. Cover with top half of roll.
Notes
It's picnic time! Take a look at these fabulous recipes:
Salads and Slaws:
- Bacon Ranch Potato Salad from Juanita's Cocina
- Caprese Spinach Salad from Small Wallet, Big Appetite
- Chicken Chopped Salad from Table for Seven
- Cold Pea Salad from Shockingly Delicious
- Creamy Potato Salad with Roasted Pears, Cilantro and Romano Cheese from Gourmet Drizzles
- German Potato Salad from The Girl in the Little Red Kitchen
- Hawaiian Cole Slaw from Curious Cuisiniere
- Italian Chopped Salad from Hezzi-D's Books and Cooks
- Kale Pasta Salad from Hip Foodie Mom
- Mediterranean Pasta Salad from Peanut Butter and Peppers
- Mizeria (Polish Cucumber Salad) from From Fast Food to Fresh Food
- PA Dutch Pepper Cabbage from Cindy's Recipes and Writings
- Pineapple Slaw from I Run For Wine
- Spaghetti Salad from Country Girl in the Village
- Tortellini Pasta Salad from Supper for a Steal
Sandwiches and Mains:
- Avocado Chicken Salad Sandwich from Momma's Meals
- Caramelized Onion, Goat Cheese, and Tomato Sandwich from Magnolia Days
- Grilled Bratwurst and Onion Open-Face Sandwiches from The Urban Mrs
- Grilled Chicken Sandwiches with Green Goddess Sauce from Foxes Love Lemons
- Herbs-Garlic and Parmesan Croissants from Basic N Delicious
- Indian Spiced Chicken Drumsticks from Soni's Food
- Japanese Picnic Bento Box from The Ninja Baker
- Mini Chicken Salad, Avocado and Cheese Subs from Big Bear's Wife
- Moroccan Fried Chicken from MarocMama
- Pepper, Spinach and Goat's Cheese Quiche from Happy Baking Days
- Picnic Basket Buttermilk Fried Chicken from Noshing with the Nolands
- Salmon in a Jar from Healthy. Delicious.
- Smoked Trout Deviled Eggs from The Wimpy Vegetarian
- Spam Musubi fromKimchi Mom
Desserts:
- Apricot Oat Nut Bars from Pies and Plots
- Chocolate Dipped Rice Krispie Treat Pops from In The Kitchen With KP
- Cocoa Cupcakes with Chocolate Buttercream from That Skinny Chick Can Bake
- Fruit Salad from The Not So Cheesy Kitchen
- Fruit Salad with Honey Port Drizzle from Family Foodie
- Loaded Butterscotch Bars from Vintage Kitchen
- Nathan's Cookies from What Smells So Good?
- Peanut Butter Rice Crispy Treat Truffles from Chocolate Moosey
- Shandy Popsicles With Raspberries from Ruffles & Truffles
- Texas Sheet Cake with Pecan Frosting from Food Lust People Love
- Triple Chocolate Punch Bowl Cake from Neighborfood
Drinks:
- Fresh Limeade with Chia Seeds from girlichef
- Pineapple Sangria from Growing Up Gabel
- Strawberry Basil Lemonade from The Messy Baker Blog
- Strawberry Lemonade from Gotta Get Baked
- Top 10 Wines for Picnic #SundaySupper from ENOFYLZ Wine blog
- Watermelon Agua Fresca from Daily Dish Recipes
Join the #SundaySupper conversation on twitter each Sunday. We tweet throughout the day and share recipes from all over the world. Our weekly chat starts at 7:00 pm ET and you do not want to miss out on the fun. Follow the #SundaySupper hashtag and remember to include it in your tweets to join in the chat. Check out our #SundaySupper Pinterest board for more fabulous recipes and food photos.
Would you like to join the Sunday Supper Movement? It's easy. You can sign up by clicking here → Sunday Supper Movement
I'll be at the Food and Wine Conference in Orlando - will you be there?
You know how to live in style, Renee. Gourmet sandwiches for picnics and gorgeous flowers in your garden....Oh my, now I'm craving goat cheese and onions!
Thank you so much for your kind words Kim! I love all the flowers in my garden. Eating good is just a part of being a foodie.
Caramelized onions are just heaven -and with the tomatoes and balsamic, I bet these taste as good as they look! Picnics on a boat are the very best type, I think, I must do that again soon! Thank you for sharing such a gorgeous recipe 🙂
I often think how nice it would be to picnic on the boat again.
This is totally my kind of sandwich. Those caramelized onions are making my mouth water. Great recipe Renee!
A sandwich with caramelized onions and goat cheese is high up in my list. It´s my kind of meal Renee! And it´s so true how a day in the water opens up an appetite. Nice memories.
Thanks Paula!
I just died and went to sandwich heaven.
Oh Jen, you are so sweet!
This sounds like the perfect sammie - juicy ripe tomatoes...sweet, caramelized onions, tangy goat cheese - oh my! I would gladly devour one. And yes, water sports kick up a huge appetite - these are perfect!
Thanks Heather! I'm sure I could devour two if I had been on the lake all day.
caramelized onions just make everything better, don't they? These sandwiches look divine!
Yes, caramelized onions very much make everything better. Thanks Lauren!
Wow. Love the flavor combo going on here! These sandwiches sound perfect anytime anywhere! And I always look forward to your posts...love the way you write!
Thank you so much Amy! You just made my day and made me smile big!
What marvelous sandwiches! And I'm green with envy over your gorgeous tomatoes.
Believe it or not, the tomatoes came from the grocery store. It is still too early for local ones.
There was a time when I wouldn't have touched this with a 10 foot pole - I hated onions that much. Now, I wish I had one sitting in front of me so I could eat it all up! Caramelized onions changed my world haha!
I have to admit I had my onion disliking days too. I'm so glad that changed. Now I could eat onions of some sort almost every day.
Oooh love those caramelized onions!The Goat's cheese seems like the perfect combination!Sweet, tangy, creamy, yummy!Gorgeous sandwiches Renee 🙂
Thanks Soni!
Renee! I love this! LOVE Caramelized Onion and what a combination with the goat cheese. . OMG, yum. . I must try this soon! Delicious!!
Thanks Alice! It is quite a tasty combo.
This is right up my alley! Ciabatta rolls is my favorite sandwich bread too!! Great picnic snack here! 🙂
One day I'll bake ciabatta rolls. Until then I'm glad I can get them from the grocery store.
Wow Renee, this sounds like a really good sandwich!
Oh yum! I can stuff myself with this sandwich alone. That caramelized onion and goat cheese always go right together. Delish!
I love this vegetarian sandwich, Renee!!! Caramelized onions are one of my favorite ingredients too. Pinning to make this one!!
Vegetarian and filling too with the goat cheese. I put on a nice thick layer of it if I'm really hungry.
Absolute Perfection, Renee!!! What a fantastic picnic addition, or lunch any time!
Oh you just won my heart over with this recipe. I am obsessed with caramelized onions, this with some of my homemade tomato chutney and I would have a perfect quick lunch.
Oh yes, homemade tomato chutney with this would be wonderful.
WOAH - caramelized onion and goat cheese sandwiches? Yes please. Looks awesome Renee!
Thanks Megan. It is something to stop and enjoy.
Holy smokes that looks good. What an amazing combination, I adore carmalized onions!!
This is a very elegant sandwich, love it.
Look at you being all fancy for a picnic 😉 I love fresh tomato sandwiches, so adding carmelized onions and goat cheese sound like the perfect fit!
Yes, that's me... Miss Fancy Pants. Just kidding! I keep it casual however I do enjoy great sandwiches.
This has me all over it! I adore every piece of this sandwich
Oh wonderful Sarah!
These are all of my favorite things on a sandwich...and I love bread! lol Seriously Yum!
Thanks Shannon!
I absolutely adore goat cheese and tomatoes together, and the carmelized onions? OMG! Pinning!
Thanks Martin and I appreciate the pin!
What a great combination of flavors, Renee! I would adore this sandwich! Caramelized onions make everything better.
Thanks Stacy! And I agree with you on the onions making everything better.
Ahh yes, I have to make caramelized onions - so darn good and comforting! I bet this sandwich is just PERFECT. I am a huge lover of goat cheese. Great recipe!
Next time I'm making a double batch of the caramelized onions so I have have more for other things. They are so good.
I love all the flavors in this sandwich!!!! Yummyyyyy
Thank you Kayle!
Mmm I need to make this soon. Since I pretty much consider all of these ingredients staples! I even have some caramelized onions already cooked up.
This is a sandwich that would make me look forward to lunch any time!
I agree - water sports, or just...laying on the beach...works up a big appetite! Must be all that sun or something! I would eat this sandwich on the beach in a heartbeat. And those tomatoes actually look pretty decent for this time of year!
They were good tomatoes for store-bought. I can't wait for the fresh local ones to be ready.
I love everything about this sandwich. Especially the goat cheese! Yum. This is a wonderful recipe Renee!
Thanks Isabel! I figured the goat cheese would catch your attention.
So simple, but the flavors are so mouthwatering. Really a great sandwich for anytime.
Those tomatoes look absolutely luscious! Our garden tomatoes definitely aren't ready yet, and the ones I'm getting from the store still don't even compare! This is making me crave a perfectly ripe, juicy tomato! I love how simple flavors can be so wonderful when everything is in season.
Renee, I wish you still had your boat - I'd come and visit you in a heartbeat. I'd also expect an amazing day like the one you described in this post - that sounds like so much fun! A delicious sandwich like this one is the perfect meal for resting in-between water sports (although I'd have to swap the goat cheese for another type...curse me for not liking goat cheese!). And yes to the brownie too, please 🙂
Oh my goodness oh my goodness...the components of this sandwich are to die for! You had me at goat cheese alone...but with caramelized onions? Heaven.
I could easily scarf down two of these sammies. Yummo!
My mother used to caramelize onions and then put them on bread for me as a snack. I'd forgotten about it till I read your post but I used to just love those. And, as an adult, goat cheese makes me happy, too.
You were lucky to have that as a snack. I didn't discover caramelized onions until a few years ago.