Description
Ina Garten’s caramelized onion dip offers a creamy, rich blend of deeply browned onions and tangy sour cream. Guests will savor this elegant appetizer that elevates simple ingredients into a luxurious party favorite.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 large yellow onions
- 4 oz (113 g) cream cheese, at room temperature
- ½ cup (120 ml) sour cream
- ½ cup (120 ml) mayonnaise
- 4 tbsps (60 ml) unsalted butter
- ¼ cup (60 ml) vegetable oil
- 1 tsp kosher salt
- ½ tsp freshly ground black pepper
- ¼ tsp ground cayenne pepper
Instructions
- Onion Preparation: Slice onions lengthwise into delicate half-rounds, ensuring uniform thinness to promote even caramelization.
- Caramelization Process: In a large sauté pan, meld olive oil and butter over medium heat. Introduce sliced onions, cayenne pepper, kosher salt, and ground black pepper, stirring to coat evenly and initiate flavor development.
- Slow Cooking Technique: Reduce heat to medium-low, allowing onions to transform gradually. Stir periodically over 30 minutes, coaxing out a deep golden-brown color and rich, complex flavor profile. Remove from heat and cool completely.
- Creamy Blend: Utilize an electric mixer to whip mayonnaise, sour cream, and cream cheese into a silky, harmonious mixture. Gently fold in the cooled caramelized onions, ensuring uniform distribution of ingredients.
- Flavor Refinement: Taste and calibrate seasoning, adding nuanced touches of salt, pepper, or cayenne to elevate the dip’s taste dimensions. Transfer to a serving vessel and allow to rest at room temperature, letting flavors meld and intensify before presentation.
Notes
- Slice with Precision: Use a sharp knife to cut onions evenly at 1/8-inch thickness for consistent caramelization and texture.
- Low and Slow Technique: Caramelize onions on medium-low heat to develop deep, rich flavor without burning, which takes patience and occasional stirring.
- Room Temperature Magic: Allow caramelized onions to cool completely before mixing to prevent breaking down the creamy base and maintain smooth consistency.
- Flavor Balancing Act: Taste and adjust seasonings gradually, adding salt, pepper, or cayenne in small increments to achieve perfect flavor harmony.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Appetizer, Snacks
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 8
- Calories: 160
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 250 mg
- Fat: 14 g
- Saturated Fat: 6 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 6 g
- Fiber: 0 g
- Protein: 2 g
- Cholesterol: 30 mg