Fab Frugal Food

Updated 70’s Noshes: Caramelized Onion Dip and Homemade Rustic Oat Crackers – Just in Time for Game Day!

Written by Donna on February 4, 2010 in Appetizers, Healthy Fare

The American classic onion soup dip created by Lipton has long been a Super Bowl recipe staple. I decided it was time for an upgrade! Caramelized onions are easy, cheap and delicious, so remaking this dip was a snap!  Onions become a whole new veggie after they have been slowly caramelized – sweet and rich! YUM!

If you have never tried caramelizing onions, I suggest you drop whatever it is you are doing and RUN QUICKLY to your nearest grocery store and stock up on yellow onions. Try this recipe and you will be a caramelized onion convert!

Then, I made crackers. I promise you if you make these, someone will be impressed. “You made crackers? Wow!” is the amazed response I get most often. People are always impressed – but they don’t realize how ridiculously easy these are to make. And – so, so delicious – Wheat Thins have nothing on these crunchy delights!

CARAMELIZED ONION DIP

3 large yellow onions*
1 tablespoon canola oil
1 teaspoon kosher salt
1 cup light sour cream
2 tablespoons mayonnaise
1 tablespoon soy sauce or Worcestershire sauce
Salt and pepper to taste

Peel onions and slice in 1/4 inch julienne slices, each piece about 1 inch long. Heat oil in large skillet. Add onions and salt to skillet and cook over medium heat for about 30 minutes, stirring frequently to reduce liquid, until onions are well browned. Remove from heat and let cool to room temperature.

Stir in sour cream, mayonnaise and Worcestershire sauce. Chill for at least one hour in refrigerator. Remove and add salt and pepper to taste. Serve with chips or crackers.

* NOTE: Yellow onions have a perfect sweetness for caramelizing. If you have white onions on hand, you can use them but add a little brown sugar when caramelizing.

Next, to go with the dip, I made some rustic oat crackers. Try these, then experiment with your own combination of flours and grains.

RUSTIC OAT CRACKERS

1 cup quick or one-minute oats
1/3 cup whole wheat flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon freshly cracked pepper
1 teaspoon baking powder
4 tablespoons cold unsalted butter
1/3 cup cold milk

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.

Place all dry ingredients in food processor. Cut butter into small cubes and add to dry mixture, pulsing until small crumbs are formed. Slowly add milk as food processor is running and process until dough begins to form a ball.

Roll out dough onto a floured surface to 1/8 to 1/4 inch thick. Cut into 2 inch squares.

Bake on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper for 30 to 40 minutes, until lightly browned. Cool and serve.

Other homemade crackers worth checking out:
Homemade crackers, The Nourishing Gourmet
Cheese Crackers with Almond Flour, Kalyns Kitchen
Garlic and Sesame Crackers, Gluten Free Goddess
Whole Wheat Sesame Crackers, Madhuram’s Eggless Cooking

– posted by Donna