Pan-Fried Onion Dip with the Wednesday Sisters

Pan-Fried Onion Dip with Stacy's Pita Chips



I read this in paperback at the pool today


Set in the 1960s, The Wednesday Sisters, by Meg Waite Clayton  is about a group of five very different women, who become friends through a Wednesday meeting in the park with their kids.  As they become friends, they encourage each other to become more than just housewives, and begin to write essays, articles and novels, and provide feedback to each other during their weekly meetings. As they get to know each other better, they watch the Miss America Pageant each year together, and begin to become friends "outside of the park."   I have to admit, I did not love this book - it was ok, and a little slow in parts. I think it would be a great book club type book though.  You can learn more about the book at: http://www.amazon.com/Wednesday-Sisters-Meg-Waite-Clayton/dp/0345502833/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1310941942&sr=8-1

During the Miss America Pageant that the women would religiously watch each year, they drank Vodka Gimlets, Gin and Tonics and Sidecars.  They also brought casseroles, lemon bars, chips and french onion dip (you know the kind we all love - sour cream mixed with Lipton Onion Soup mix).

So, I decided to bring the onion dip to 2011 and make Ina Garten's Pan-Fried Onion Dip.  You can find the recipe at  http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/ina-garten/pan-fried-onion-dip-recipe/index.html.

I did a few things different from Ina:

1) I used half the amount of oil and butter to pan-fry the onions.  Instead of 1/4 cup of oil and 4 Tablespoons of butter, I used 2 Tablespoons of Oil and 2 Tablespoons of butter...that is plenty.
2) I caramelized the onions longer than the recipe calls for.  Instead of 10 minutes on medium heat and 20 minutes on low heat, I did 10 minutes on medium heat and then 50 minutes on low heat....it will make a big difference, I promise.  Just come and check on them every 10 minutes or so.
3)  It's a very rich dip, so I used regular Hellman's mayonnaise as the recipe calls for, but then I used reduced fat sour cream (Daisy) and 1/3 less fat cream cheese instead of regular...it will still be VERY indulgent tasting.

A tasty dip, and it adds a little change to the "old school" french onion dip.

Enjoy, and happy dipping!