CARAMELIZED ONION DIP

Here is another recipe from Ina Garten and it's brilliant.  I've made it a number of times and seriously PEOPLE LOVE IT.  Take your time to carmelize the onions nice and slow.  I find this works out best with a NON non-stick pan, so the onions will really brown onto the bottom of the pan and also, although it's tempting to just stand and stir, the onions really do need to be left alone.

This dip is best made the day before it's to be eaten so the flavors really deepen.  I love it with salt and pepper flavor Kettle Chips.

INGREDIENTS
2 large yellow onions
4 tablespoons unsalted butter
1/4 cup vegetable oil
1/4 teaspoon ground cayenne pepper
1 teaspoon kosher salt
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
1 teaspoon balsamic vinegar
4 ounces cream cheese, room temperature
1/2 cup sour cream
1/2 cup mayonnaise

METHOD
Cut the onions in half and then slice them into 1/8-inch-thick half-rounds.  (Yielding about 3 cups of onions)

Heat the oil and the butter in a large sauté pan over medium high heat (it works better to NOT use a non-stick pan).  Add the onions, cayenne, salt and pepper and sauté for 10 minutes.  Reduce the heat to medium low and continue to cook for 40 more minutes, stirring occasionally (but not too often-the onions should start to stick to the pan) until the onions are browned and caramelized. 

Add the Dijon mustard and balsamic vinegar and continue to cook for about 10 more minutes.  Allow the onions to cool.

This is what you want the onions to look like.  Note that they are really dark because of the balsamic vinegar.

In a large bowl combine the cream cheese, sour cream and the mayonnaise.  Whisk until smooth.  Add all of the onions, reserving about a tablespoon for garnish, into the cream cheese mixture.  Stir to combine and mix well.  Transfer to a serving dish and top with reserved onions.  Refrigerate overnight to allow flavors to combine.  Serve at room temperature with potato chips.

Makes 2 cups.

Comments

[Jessica]

If I could make sweet love to a dip, this would be the dip I would make sweet love to.

[Jen]

I've actually now had dreams about this dip and the Kettle Chips. Granted Jessica was eating it in the dream and not making love it, but that dream may yet happen. And then we couldn't be friends anymore, because that is disturbing. In any event, I woul dreally like some right now.

[Carrie]

I made this dip for a get-together I had this weekend, and it was a HUGE hit. Thanks so much for the recipe!

[M]

Ina's recipe doesn't mention the balsemic vinegar and the digon mustard, and while i haven't tried her recipe, i made yours and it was FANTASTIC! The only difference i experienced was that i didn't have to wait so long for hte onions to carmelize, maybe it was because my 2 onions were a little smaller? but in any case. Thank you for the recipe!!

[michaela]

i serve those same chips with this dip!