Ina's Pan Fried Onion Dip - Take II

Revisiting this a second time because I've given this recipe to people, but they often tell me they cannot acheive the same results I do. I share the recipe and then usually give the modifications I listed, but I think the pictures below will help anyone feeling dangerous enough to introduce this amazingly addictive concoction into their kitchen to acheive the same results I do each and every time.

1. Cutting. Before you even cut remove the cream cheese and sour cream from the fridge. Cut the cream cheese in half (4 oz) and put the rest back into the fridge. Instead of measuring 1/2 c. sour cream, get the very smallest container, it is about the right amount. Close enough, say. Let the cheese and cream sit there and get to room temp. Back to the onions; Cut in half, peel, cut in half again. VERY thinly slice half moons.

2. To a cold pan add oil and butter. Since I only use one onion, I use 2 T butter and "a glug" of oil. I keep the salt, pepper, and cayenne at the ready so I can add it immediately once those onions hit the pan. The last thing you want to do is scorch the onions searching for the cayenne. Please note, never use a nonstick pan to carmelize onions.

3. This is how the onions will look soaking on all that buttery, oily, cayenney goodness. I move them around over medium high heat for about 10 minutes. If you care, I use a nonstick spoonula to do this.

4. Having a cute helper that is standing dangerously close to your scorching hot pan putting his beloved "G'raffie" in danger of catching fire will keep you on your toes and prevent those onions from burning.

5. After 10 minutes, turn them down to low heat and let them carmelize to perfection for another 20 minutes. Don't forget to move them every now and again. For the recond, these are way more brown than they should be at this point. There is a lesson in this. Prepare the dip the night before the birthday party - you will be distracted by a child bleaching his onesie with bathroom cleanser and attempting to center a birthday banner. Also, the overnight will get the flavors really punched up.

6. This is after the 20 minutes. Again, way more burned than is acceptable under normal circumstances, but delish nonetheless (see aforementioned bleached onesie!). The dip was way darker, but still tasted great. A little more crunch, but no complaints. Steve ate the remaining bit this evening. He had no idea I had burned the onions, "I thought it was awesome." Lesson: this dip is hard to mess up.

7. COOL COMPLETELY.
8. Take your room temp cream cheese, drop it into a microwave safe mixing bowl and nuke it for about 20 seconds. When you whip it with your mixer it should be smooth and completely free of lumps. Cream cheese can be difficult to blend. Note my lovely mixer shadow.

9. Add a small container of sour cream, scoop out the mayo and pretend not to count the grams of fat you are adding. Mix together until well blended. Add onions, stir to combine. Taste to assure it will keep your guests chained to the bowl all night long.

10. Insert photo of finished product I never took here. I'll get better at this taking photos while cooking thing.

The Recipe

2 Large Onions
4 T Unsalted Butter
1/4 Cup Vegetable Oil
1/4 tsp Cayenne
1 tsp Kosher Salt
1/2 tsp Ground Pepper
4 Oz Cream Cheese
1/2 Cup Sour Cream
1/2 Cup Good Mayo
- Slice onions THIN
- Heat butter and oil in cold pan over medium heat
- Add onions and spices. Saute' 10 minutes
- Reduce heat to medium low, stirring occasionally, for 20 minutes until brown and carmelized
COOL COMPLETELY
- Mix sour cream, mayo and cream cheese
- Add cooled onions. Mix well
Serve Room Temperature
MODIFICATIONS
I know it is sacrilege to alter Ina's recipe, but 2 large onions was just too much for me. I find one large onion to be enough.