French Onion Chip Dip
(with vanilla!)
- 1 lb sweet onions
- 1 TBSP vanilla paste
- 1-2 tsp. vanilla sugar (optional)
- 1 tsp ground peppercorns (Wild Peppercorns are the bee's knees, if you've got them)
- 1 tsp salt
- 2 TBSP olive oil or bacon grease
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened*
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise*
- 1 cup sour cream*
- 1-2 TBSP dijon mustard*, optional
Peel and chop the onions. This is the hardest part of this whole thing.
In a large, cold frying pan, add the onions, vanilla paste, vanilla sugar, pepper, salt, and olive oil or bacon grease. Turn to low heat and stir occasionally while the onions caramelize for 40-80 minutes. YES, this is a slow process, but it doesn't require undivided attention, so you can totally set it on the back burner while you do your other cooking or start the dishwasher or something! Onions are done when all the liquid has evaporated, the onions are golden brown, and very jammy.
Let the onions cool to room temperature. In a large bowl, mix together cream cheese, mayonnaise, sour cream, and mustard. Add all the onions and mix to combine. Chill for 2-24 hours before serving with chips, crackers, or vegetables.
*The amounts of these items is flexible; feel free to add more or less of each ingredient to achieve the texture and flavor you like.