Toasted Onion Dip

by JANE WORTHINGTON-ROTH

Remember when one of the most common appetizers at every party was known as “French Onion Dip”? It was the simplest creation made by combining a packet of onion soup mix and a 16 ounce tub of sour cream. I haven’t had it in decades but I still remember the flavor. Like many culinary memories - as soon as you start reminiscing about those flavors, you can’t wait to taste them again!

I always have tubs of sour cream on hand but certainly not any packets of dry soup mix. Having a great pantry full of herbs and spices I’m sure I can make a delicious copycat recipe!

My favorite company for herbs and spices is www.penzeys.com The selection and quality are phenomenal and they are easily ordered online or at their stores with curbside pickup. One of my favorites is Toasted Minced Onions. The flavor reminds me of slow cooked French Onion Soup and is perfect as the basis for my Toasted Onion Dip recipe.

To make the flavor even richer, I’m adding some Penzey’s Roasted Garlic granules and ground cumin, along with a little sprinkling of freeze dried chives. Although I’m only using Penzey’s spices in my recipe, feel free to use your favorite brand but you might need to adjust the amounts.

For the dip, I’m mixing the spices into plain sour cream but you can vary the recipe by mixing them into cream cheese, yogurt, mayonnaise or any combination of these bases. Mixing them into mayonnaise makes a delicious spread for sandwiches or topping for roasted veggies.

The Toasted Onion Dip is best served with a sturdy chip like Utz Ripple (crinkle cut) Chips or with a mixed vegetable platter.

TOASTED ONION DIP

2 tablespoons Toasted Minced Onions
2 teaspoons Roasted Garlic granules
1 teaspoon freeze dried chives
1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
1/4 teaspoon salt (optional)
16 ounce carton of sour cream

Mix the spices together in a medium bowl. Add the sour cream and stir well to combine. For the best results, place the dip in the fridge for a couple of hours before serving to let the flavors meld throughout the mixture.