08 December 2016

French Onion Dip - Caramelized Onion Dip

French Onion Dip - Caramelized Onion Dip / www.delightfulrepast.com

French onion dip (because it starts out just like French onion soup), or caramelized onion dip, is the fresh, and in this case organic, version of that ever-popular dip made with dry onion soup mix. 

I just read the dip was invented in 1954 by an anonymous person (in California, presumably, since it is called California Dip). I'm not saying that dip doesn't taste good, but, well, I don't like packaged foods.

That said, I like potato chips with my onion dip. I know, I know, but I don't eat them very often. In fact, this week was the first time in a year or two I've had potato chips. If you're even better than that at keeping away from junk, you'd probably like this dip with raw vegetables.

Anyway ... This is the season when many people are having parties or taking something appetizer-ish to parties, so I thought it would be a good time to post an easy recipe for that sort of thing. This takes some time to caramelize the onions, but is very little work.

Just put the onions on to do their thing while you're doing other things. What's your favorite kind of dip and dipper?

French Onion Dip - Caramelized Onion Dip / www.delightfulrepast.com

French Onion Dip - Caramelized Onion Dip


(Makes 3 cups)

1 1/2 pounds (2 medium) yellow onions, quartered and thinly sliced
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
1/2 teaspoon sugar
1/8 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon coarsely ground black pepper
1/8 teaspoon celery seed
1/8 teaspoon paprika
1 pint (16 ounces/454 grams) sour cream
1/4 cup real mayonnaise

1 In heavy-bottomed large skillet (I use the All-Clad Stainless 12-Inch Fry Pan), cook the onions in butter and oil over low heat, covered, for 15 minutes. No need to watch them, just set the timer and walk away.

2 Stir in the Worcestershire sauce, sugar (helps with browning) and seasonings. Cook, uncovered, over moderate heat (onions should be sizzling), stirring frequently,* for about 45 minutes or more, or until onions are well caramelized, evenly brown.

* As I said in my French Onion Soup post, Who even knows what "stirring frequently" means? I've never seen a definitive answer to that question, so I'm going to say it means every 2 or 3 minutes (though maybe every minute toward the end). And you'll notice a few more helpful hints in my updated French Onion Soup post.

3 Cool completely. Put cooled onions in work bowl of food processor and pulse until finely chopped but not pureed. Every food processor is different, but I found 18 pulses to be just about right. In a 1-quart bowl, stir together onions, sour cream and mayonnaise. Taste and adjust seasoning. Refrigerate for up to 4 days.

68 comments:

Angie's Recipes said...

Wonderful! I love the aroma and taste of caramelized onions, so this is a perfect dip for me.

Jean | DelightfulRepast.com said...

Thanks, Angie. Even my husband likes it, and he is not a dip person at all!

Mylittlepieceofengland said...

That sounds lovely, something for Christmas snacks xx

Jean | DelightfulRepast.com said...

Yes, something to counteract all the sweets! Thank you, Cheryl.

Debbie - Mountain Mama said...

This is one of my favorite guilty pleasures - yummmmmm!!

Thomas "Sully" Sullivan said...

First thing, you may want to sit down. Because what I am about to write is shocking beyond the bounds of civil discourse and polite society. Okay, grip the armrests of that chair, here goes: I prefer veggies with that caramelized onion dip. Yes, caramelized onion dip isn’t a moniker for a friend of mine, I’m talking about the same thing you wrote about. And by the way, I like almost anything caramelized. But I digress. Veggies. They coexist in my universe with caramelized onion dip. I like the crisp snap of a carrot or celery when the taste is overpowered by onion dip. (Hah…even my voice activation didn’t write “carrot or celery” just now but substituted “^ and salary” – that’s how shocking it is to hear those words come out of my mouth.) Carrot and celery, there I’ve said it again (I draw the line at cauliflower and broccoli, though I’ll nibble either one if the bat goes high enough.) Also I don’t think I’ve had a potato chip in 40 years, if you don’t count corn chips at a Mexican restaurant. Waste of indulgence quota. 5 cleavers! My, my, two weeks in a row. Don’t stop now. The season of holiday goodies is upon us!

Jean | DelightfulRepast.com said...

Sully, I AM in shock! So glad you warned me to sit down, for surely I would have fallen down. If I hadn't been advised to grip the armrests after I sat down, I would've slid right out of my chair. I have no words. But thank you for the 2nd consecutive 5 Cleavers award. I have to rest now. :-)

Jean | DelightfulRepast.com said...

Thanks, Mountain Mama! Yes, a guilty pleasure -- I feel like I can only make it once a year because I'm going to eat half of it all by myself! :D

Jeanie said...

This is DEFINITELY a keeper. And I love it with chips too. This looks great. Consider it printed out!

Jean | DelightfulRepast.com said...

Jeanie, thank you so much. I hope you'll like it as much as we do.

Manu said...

This dip looks delicious and perfect fro an aperitivo.
xox

Jean | DelightfulRepast.com said...

Manu, thank you! I just had some for lunch.

Unknown said...

This sounds wonderful good! This is a perfect for me to try.

Jean | DelightfulRepast.com said...

Thank you, Thomas! Let me know how it turns out for you.

The Joy of Home with Martha Ellen said...

Jean, this would be so delicious. I think it would be great with vegetables or crackers or potato chips, pita chips and by the spoonful! Great recipe. ♥

Susan J Meyerott, M.S. said...

Oh my gosh, Jean....my mouth is watering. I always loved french onion dip with potato chips (I know, I know too...and don't eat them often!). I haven't made it lately as the packaged mix was so salty. This looks and sounds scrumptious! Can't wait to indulge myself when family is visiting. You always know just the right recipe to come up with for the cozy occasions. Ho Ho Ho....and thank you, Jean!

Jean | DelightfulRepast.com said...

Thanks, Martha! I cook with it, too!

Jean | DelightfulRepast.com said...

Sue, thank you! I hope you'll like it even more than you did the packaged kind. Let me know!

Cheryl said...

Yum!! I am seeing this at our Christmas afternoon buffet! We don't do a big meal ("big" meaning sit-down, knife-and-fork kind of meal, nothing to do with the amount of good eats!), but prefer a spread of finger foods. This French onion dip would be right at home.

Can I make this a day or two ahead?

kitty@ Kitty's Kozy Kitchen said...

The dip sounds scrumptious, Jean! I don't remember when I've last eaten a potato chip, but I'd sure like to try this dip with them, or with veggies. I'm thinking the dip would be great on a baked potato, too!

Julie in Her Cottage by the Sea said...

Wonderful recipe in such an apropos dish! I have the same blue-and-white Chinese onion set. Mine was made by Johnson Brothers in England. I'm so glad I bought three sets because they are no longer in business. I always love your posts. Charulie / Julie

Jean | DelightfulRepast.com said...

Cheryl, thank you! That sounds delightful! You make such a wonderful, cozy home for your family.

Jean | DelightfulRepast.com said...

Kitty, thank you, what a wonderful idea -- on a baked potato!

Jean | DelightfulRepast.com said...

Thanks, Julie! I love Johnson Brothers dishes, the blue onion pattern, and blue and white patterns of all sorts. I think it's in my genes!

bj said...

ummm...this really sounds good and is such a pretty dip...caramelized onions are sooo tasty....

Jean | DelightfulRepast.com said...

Thanks, BJ. Caramelizing makes everything better!

Lea Ann (Cooking On The Ranch) said...

Instead of having a sweet tooth, I claim to have a potato chip tooth. And my favorite thing for dip is Onion dip. Pinning this one to try VERY soon. Thanks for sharing this one.

Jean | DelightfulRepast.com said...

Thanks, Lea Ann. I wish you were here to help me polish off this batch of onion dip and bag of potato chips! I hate food waste, so I'm probably going to be eating this for breakfast today to use up the last of it!

handmade by amalia said...

This looks yummy and great for entertaining, if you don't polish it off before company arrives :-)
Amalia
xo

Jean | DelightfulRepast.com said...

Amalia, thank you. Everyone I serve it to loves it, but I'm not having company this week, so it's up to me to polish it off! :D

Annette, 3 Little Buttons said...

That looks lovely. Who doesn't like a good dip with potato chips. And.. something that I might be able to manage too. Thank you for sharing with the #DreamTeam :-)

Jean | DelightfulRepast.com said...

Thanks, Annette. And I know this is something you can manage! :-)

xinex said...

Mmmmm, looks yummy! Enjoy this holiday!...Christine

Jean | DelightfulRepast.com said...

Thanks, Christine! I'm sure you'll be doing a lot of entertaining this month!

Daniela said...

Dearest Jean,
thank you for another wonderful, inviting recipe, sweet friend !

Hope you're enjoying the best of weekends,
I'm sending blessings of joy to you,
with utmost gratitude for the wonderful, precious lady you are

Xx Dany

Jean | DelightfulRepast.com said...

Thank you, Dany. I was wondering, is chips and dip even a thing in Italy? Can't think what kind of wine would go with it! :D Hope you are having a wonderful weekend as well.

Cocoa and Lavender said...

Can you tell I am catching up today? This looks wonderful, Jean, and so, so , so much better than the dip everyone makes with a packet of onion soup mix!

Jean | DelightfulRepast.com said...

Thanks, David. I'm going to have to spend some time on Monday catching up myself!

krishna said...

it is yummy indeed.. It can best relished with chip on a rain drenched cold evening, sitting on the couch, covering with a warm blanket and watching family movie...


Please visit: http://from-a-girls-mind.blogspot.com

Jean | DelightfulRepast.com said...

Thank you, Krishna! I'll visit soon!

Linda @ Life and Linda said...

What a great recipe. I am always looking for a great appetizer to serve. Happy Sunday.

Jean | DelightfulRepast.com said...

Thanks, Linda! I've sort of had an eye out for appetizers myself this past month.

All That I'm Eating said...

Oh yes please! I could see myself eating far too much of this over the festive period!

Vanessa said...

This looks so yummy and I am so glad you shared at Dishing it and Digging it link party. We love having you.

Lea Ann (Cooking On The Ranch) said...

Made this yesterday and took to a party. So many requests for the recipe and I directed them to your site. Thanks for a great recipe, I'll make this again and again.

Jean | DelightfulRepast.com said...

Thanks, ATIE! It *is* one of those things one just can't keep out of! :D

Jean | DelightfulRepast.com said...

Vanessa, always happy to share. I just wish I could take the real thing to the party!

Jean | DelightfulRepast.com said...

Lea Ann, that is so sweet! Thank you so much!

Fran @ Gday Souffle said...

Yippee! I just pinned your recipe.This looks so simple, yet so delicious! Just in time for Christmas parties.

Jean | DelightfulRepast.com said...

Fran, thanks so much! Pins and other social media shares are soooo appreciated!

April J Harris said...

I'm so pleased to find this recipe, Jean! Not only is it hard to get powdered onion soup here in the UK, I prefer not to use mixes. Your recipe is wholesome, and delicious too! Scheduled to share on our Hearth and Soul Facebook page and pinned too. Thank you for being a part of Hearth and Soul.

Jean | DelightfulRepast.com said...

April, thank you so much! Especially since I am not on much social media, I really appreciate your sharing there. I hope you'll enjoy the dip!

Swathi said...

French onion dip looks delicious and perfect, I love French onion soup, I need to try this one, thanks for sharing with Hearth and soul blog hop, pinning and tweeting

Jean | DelightfulRepast.com said...

Swathi, thank you! Much appreciated. I love French onion soup, too!

Miz Helen said...

We just love French Onion Dip it is perfect for the holidays and big game days! Thanks for sharing your awesome post with us at Full Plate Thursday. Hope you are having a great week and come back soon!
Miz Helen

Jean | DelightfulRepast.com said...

Thanks, Miz Helen! Yes, I understand it's a classic must-have on big game days!

Unknown said...

Jean, I am so excited to see this! You have no idea! I love french onion dip, it's the perfect companion to chips, and when I look at it in the store there are so many things that I can't pronounce on the package, so I don't buy it! But oh, have I missed it! I also use dried french onion soup mix in my meatloaf, but it's so hard to find a gluten free alternative that also doesn't have chemicals etc. This is perfect! Thank you. Merry Christmas to me! I'm going to whip up some potato chips in the dehydrator and have this on the side! YUM!

Jean | DelightfulRepast.com said...

And, Nikki, *you* have no idea how excited I get about comments like this! It's very satisfying to me when one of my recipes really fills a need for one of my readers. Thank you.

Audrey said...

This looks 10,000 times better than the soup mix version. YUM! Thanks for sharing on #TastyTuesdays

Jean | DelightfulRepast.com said...

:D Audrey, that is so sweet!

GiGi Eats Celebrities said...

Caramelized Onions are seriously on a level all by themselves - SO SO SO SO SO good!

Jean | DelightfulRepast.com said...

Thanks, Gigi -- caramelized ANYthing is just better than its uncaramelized self!

Anonymous said...

French Onion soup is my very favorite thing in the world! I am tinkering with different recipes and am intrigued by the Worcester in this one, which I haven't incorporated into my recipes yet. Thanks for the ideas! #BloggerClubUK

Jean | DelightfulRepast.com said...

Thanks, Mary. I use Worcestershire sauce in many things. The way my mother went through it, I thought no self-respecting Englishwoman could be without it! :D

Annette, 3 Little Buttons said...

Back again with the #dreamteam to say that your dip looks fab. :-)

Jean | DelightfulRepast.com said...

Thanks, Annette! Hope you Buttons are all buttoned up in this cold weather!

Barbara Windle said...

This looks delicious. I am pinning it!

Jean | DelightfulRepast.com said...

Thanks, Barbara. Pins (and all social media shares) are much appreciated!