I seem to either make desserts or party food. I just reviewed my recipe index and find that I offer you guys very few recipes for entrees. I think I gravitate towards things like side dishes, appetizers and spreads because fairly often we piece together a meal using these foods. Some delicious artichoke-olive spread [1] on a baguette with a nice robust salad or a serving of Mac & Cheese [2] and some fresh fruit and I am happy. It is the way we eat. I also find that many people will only cook new recipes for special occasions and like many of you I find myself most excited by special spreads, appetizers and sweets. Little treats. And so, to continue the recipe tradition, I present: Charred Onion Dip.
This recipe features delicious charred onions which you make by slicing a red onion into 1/2-inch-3/4inch slices and placing on a very hot grill, or grill pan. Let the onion slices cook on one side for 5-6 minutes until black char lines have formed and the onion is melting and caramelized. Flip it over and let the same thing happen to the other side. You then have a charred onion slice. You could put them on top of a burger or salad or use them in this amazing dip. By combining the charred onion with sour cream and a host of other flavors you create the ultimate dip for potato chips. It will remind you of the stuff people served in your youth, or at least it did me. Don’t limit yourself to chips though, this would also be good with vegetables or even as a sandwich topping. It is robust, complicated and extremely satisfying. It gets even better the next day and is definitely something that can be made in advance. This could be the perfect thing to bring to summer cook-outs with friends or picnics in the park. It may not be dinner, but it sure is good.
Charred Onion Dip (adapted from Frank Stitt’s Bottega Favorita)
- 2 cups sour cream
- 1 tablespoon Mascarpone I am sure you could use cream cheese)
- 2 teaspoons whole-grain mustard
- 6 dashes Tabasco sauce
- 2 tablespoon thinly sliced chives
- Juice of 1/2 lemon
- 2 dashes Worcestershire sauce
- Two 1/2-inch-thick slices charred red onion, finely chopped
- Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
Combine sour cream, Mascarpone, mustard, Tabasco, chives, lemon juice, and Worcestershire in a medium bowl. Fold in chopped onions, taste the mixture and season with salt, pepper and additional Tabasco if needed.