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Do you remember eating that onion dip from the grocery store when you where a kid?  Heck, some of us are probably still eating that onion dip.  Well, put down that plastic container!  This onion dip is the way onion dip was meant to be made.  Ian Garten does it again, with this little wonder.  I saw this on Barefoot Contessa on Food TV and just had to try it.  My dad is huge onion fan and I can’t wait to make this one for him.  The onions in this dip are a sweet and delicious balance to the tartness of the cream cheese and sour cream.  This is fantastic on veggie sticks and I am betting it’s pretty good on a nice salty chip.  Two cautions though: the onions take a long time to caramelize to this color (30 minutes or so) and this is not something you want to eat everyday (if you do you may have coronary problems).  Here’s the recipe from Ina Garten, found in The Barefoot Contessa Cookbook.

Pan-Fried Onion Dip

• 2 large yellow onions
• 4 Tbls. unsalted butter
• 1/4 cup vegetable oil
• 1/4 tsp. ground cayenne pepper
• 1 tsp. kosher salt
• 1/2 tsp. freshly ground black pepper
• 4 ounces cream cheese, at room temp
• 1/2 cup sour cream
• 1/2 cup good mayonnaise

Cut the onions in half and then slice them into 1/8 inch thick half-rounds. (You should have about 3 cups of onions.)  Heat the butter and oil in a large saute pan over medium heat.  Add the onions, cayenne, salt, and pepper and saute for 10 minutes.  Reduce the heat to medium-low and cook, stirring occasionally, for 20 more minutes until the onions are browned and caramelized.  Allow the onions to cool. 

Place the cream cheese, sour cream, and mayonnaise in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with paddle attachment and beat until smooth. (If you are less than thrilled with the idea of large strands of onion running through your dip, pop this mixture into the food processor like I did.  Works like a charm.)  Add the onions and mix well.  Taste for seasonings.  Serve at room temperature. 

Enjoy!  This one would also be great for a Super Bowl party, see my post on Super Bowl parties for more ideas.