Staying in to Watch the Super Bowl or Having a Movie Night? This Delicious Skillet Dip Uses Ingredients You Probably Have on Hand

With less-frequent trips to the grocery store, but lots more TV watching going on, you’re likely trying to find new snacking recipes that don’t need any special ingredients to make.

If you have onions on hand, you’ve always got a nutritious snack or meal just minutes away. They’re a great pantry staple: they keep for a very long time, they’re incredibly versatile, and they’re forgiving, offering almost foolproof cooking. Plus, they’re a healthy, immune-boosting food thanks to their Vitamin C, sulphur and antioxidant content.

Caramelizing onions is Canadians’ favourite way to enjoy them and the best type for caramelizing is the Spanish Sweet variety. This variety is grown in Idaho-Eastern Oregon’s Snake River Valley, and it’s prized for its mild flavour, thanks to the rich volcanic soils and dry climate in this area.

Due to its colder climate and shorter growing season, Canada often can’t supply enough produce to meet its year-round demand. Luckily, Idaho-Eastern Oregon has easy access to Canada and with its longer, warmer growing season, can help Canadians satisfy their need for nutritious Spanish Sweet Onions.

They’re also very sweet, which is their secret to great caramelization, but they’re also great eaten raw. This region is one that you can trust; they are grown on family farms—many third and fourth generation—and have some of the most stringent growing and storage methods around. None of their onions have ever been recalled, so look for Idaho-Eastern Oregon Spanish Sweets when you shop.

Buy a lot of them so you always have them on hand but be sure to store them properly. Store Spanish Sweet onions out of direct sunlight in a cool, dry, well ventilated place in a basket or mesh bag with good air circulation. Don’t store them in plastic, or with potatoes. Stored properly, they can last up to four weeks at home.

SUPER Skillet Roasted Onion and Cheese Dip BOWL

A pan-roasted caramelized Spanish Sweet Onion is the secret ingredient in this indulgent dip. And the addition of bacon takes it over the top. Serve with crusty bread, tortilla chips or vegetables, or a selection of all three.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Chill Time: 1 hour

2 tbsp (30 mL) olive oil
1 large red onion, coarsely chopped
½ tsp (2 mL) chopped fresh thyme or ¼ tsp (1 mL) dried
¼ tsp (1 mL) each salt and pepper
¼ cup (60 mL) dry white wine or vegetable broth
1 cup (250 mL) shredded aged cheddar
½ cup (125 mL) chopped cooked bacon (optional)
¾ cup (175 mL) sour cream
⅔ cup (160 mL) mayonnaise
Chopped fresh chives for garnish

In a large skillet, heat oil over medium heat. Add onion, thyme, salt and pepper and cook, stirring, for 10 minutes. Reduce heat to medium-low; cover and cook for about 15 minutes more, stirring occasionally until onions are golden brown and softened.

Add wine and cook for 10 minutes more. Remove from heat and stir in cheese and bacon, if using. Stir gently until cheese is melted. Spoon mixture into bowl and stir in sour cream and mayonnaise.

Refrigerate for at least 1 hour. Sprinkle with chives just before serving.

Makes about 2 ½ cups (625 mL).

Tip
Caramelize a few extra onions, remove them and keep them on hand to add to next night’s dinner.

usaonions.com