Tri Tip Delight - Appetizer

This is a rather simple appetizer that is excellent as a party starter when dinner is a while out, or when Tapas (or finger foods) are the main course.

Essentially it is roasted Tri Tip with caramelized onions and blue cheese on toasted Baguette. A major crowd pleaser.

Step One: The Tri Tip
Prepare a simple rub:
1/3 c Kosher Salt
1/4 c Pepper
1/8 c Garlic
4 tbps Paprika
4 tsp Ground Red Pepper

Mix and thoroughly coat the outside of the tri tip.

Step 2: Prepare the toast
Slice the Baguette into 1/2" thick slices on the bias. Sprinkle with balsamic vinegar and olive oil. Toast in the oven at 350 deg f. for 7 mins, or until lightly toasted. Remove from oven. The residual heat will toast them a little bit more. Place in a basket with a towel to keep them warm.

Step 3: Caramelize the Onion
While the bread is toasting slice some onion into very thin and small slices. Start a pan on the stove at medium heat. Melt 4 tbsp butter in the pan, add the onion, add 1 tsp kosher salt and 1 tsp black pepper and 1 tsp brown sugar. Cook until onion is clear. Remove from heat.

Step 4: Cook the Tri Tip

Cook the tri tip at high heat for 5 mins, flip and cook for another 5, rotate, 5min, rotate, 5min. Remove from the heat and rest for 5 mins.

Step 5: Prepare the Toast
For each piece of toast spread blue cheese or Gorgonzola cheese on the toast. Slice the Tri Tip on the bias and place a slice of tri tip on the toast and top with caramelized onions. Rest for 2 mins before serving. This will allow all the flavors to mingle a bit.

Notes: You want the juices from the meat to soak into the bread a little and the meat needs to be pink or red. Tri Tip should be served no more than medium rare. Any more and it will be hard to chew. I also try to cut the tri tip so that each piece is a little larger than the bread it covers. It give the impression of a lot of meat, as opposed to being stingy with the meat on the bread. Chooses a good balsamic that you really enjoy the flavor of, a pomegranate or berry balsamic will work here well.