Homemade Caramelized Onion Dip

I'm a chips and dip addict. THERE. I SAID IT. 

My parents used to laugh at how I would hover around the snack table at bit family gatherings, shoveling chip after chip into my mouth. And yes, the chip was merely a vessel for loads of french onion dip. I'd like to say that I've changed my ways, but the love affair continues. I do have some rules that help balance things out a bit though:

1. Don't buy potato chips under any circumstances. 
2. Don't buy french onion dip under any circumstances. 
3. Forget rules 1 and 2 apply if it is New Year's Eve.

Seems logical to me! 

This year, rather than purchase a container of store-bought onion dip with an endless list of ingredients I cannot pronounce, I decided to make my own batch. Deeply caramelized diced onions are mixed with a combination of creamy, mild tasting Greek yogurt (Tillamook and Noosa are my suggestions- nothing with too much tang) and umami-filled Japanese mayonnaise (Kewpie is a staple at my house), creating a flavorful sensation that I feel slightly less guilty about. Plus, the flavors are out of this world in comparison with what you buy on grocery store shelves. 

This year has been a stressful one for a lot of people out there. So my advice is this: caramelize some onions for a little therapy on the last day of 2016 so you can enjoy something extra delicious as we ring in 2017. Bubbly in hand, of course! 

Thanks to everyone who hangs out here with me from time to time. The internet is a big place but my little corner of it feels cozy and comfortable thanks to my faithful readers. I'm grateful for each and every one of you. 

Homemade Caramelized Onion Dip

Makes about 1 1/2 cups of dip

Cooking time: 3 hours (most of this is for caramelizing the onions) 

• 2 large yellow onions, diced
• 1 garlic clove, crushed
• 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
• pinch of kosher salt
• 1 cup plain Greek yogurt (mild tasting, such as Tillamook Farmstyle or Noosa)
• 1/3 cup Kewpie mayonnaise (or regular mayo with 2 teaspoons dark soy sauce mixed in)
• 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
• 2-3 teaspoons celery salt (more or less to taste- celery salts vary so add a little at a time)
• 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
• black pepper to taste

1. Melt the butter in a large, heavy dutch oven or cast iron skillet over medium heat. Add the onions and garlic clove and sprinkle with a bit of salt. Stir the onions around to coat them with butter, then cook for about 5 minutes, stirring often, until the begin to soften. Reduce the heat to low and maintain a steady temperature for 2-3 hours. Stir the onions every 20-30 minutes and adjust the heat as necessary. Once the onions are a deep caramel color, transfer them to a bowl and remove the garlic clove. 
2. In a medium bowl, combine the yogurt, mayonnaise, vinegar, celery salt, onion powder and black pepper. Stir until smooth. When the onions have cooled to about room temperature, stir them into the yogurt mixture. Taste and adjust seasoning as necessary. 
3. Transfer to a serving bowl, cover with plastic wrap, and refrigerate until ready to use. Serve along side salty potato chips, fresh veggies, or endive leaves.  

2016 Gift Guide

1. Linwood Handcrafted Cutting Boards These simple, sophisticated cutting boards are the perfect gift for the entertainer in your life. The richly colored wood makes the perfect surface for a cheese board, a pile of fresh fruit and are sure to become a favorite piece in any kitchen. Plus, purchasing one of these beauties supports a small (but mighty) family business! 
2. Faribault Woolen Mills Coffee Cup Wool Sleeve I gave my sister, and myself, one of these sleeves a couple of years ago. I love them because, even though we are too far away to meet for coffee, I can slide my sleeve onto my cup of coffee and pretend she's right there with me. Plus, you're being kind to the environment by using a reusable (and super stylish) sleeve! 
3. Di Oro Living Spatula Set Every cook needs a trusty set of spatulas and these are perfect! Heat resistant and easy to clean, these spatulas are the perfect gift for anyone setting up a new kitchen! 
4. Skinnytaste Fast and Slow by Gina Homolka I have a million cookbooks. Seriously. But this one has been on repeat for over a month because the recipes are crazy easy, crazy delicious, and HEALTHY. But truthfully, you'd never know how healthy they are because everything has such big, wonderful flavor. Busy parents will especially appreciate this gem! Plus, the recipes are all gluten free but can be made gluten-full as well! 
5. Baking Illustrated from Cook's Illustrated This book has every baking recipe you could ever want. From a classic chocolate layer cake to oatmeal lace cookies to pizza dough, this book has you covered with foolproof recipes! For the bakers (and non-bakers) in your life! 
6. Old Moscow Handcrafted Moscow Mule Mugs Not sure what to get for the guy in your life who is basically a steel trap when it comes to telling you what he wants for Christmas? These gorgeous Moscow mule mugs are a sure win! For an extra little something, give him a little bottle of whisky and some ginger ale so he can whip up his own Moscow mules right after opening these beauties! 
7. Kyocera 12.5" Ceramic Coated Nonstick Wok One pot dinners are all the rage these days and this nonstick wok is a total work horse for your favorite weeknight meals! One pot pastas and soups are a dream to make in this bad boy. And, of course, you can always make a flawless stir-fry with whatever you can find in your fridge! Trust me when I say that the recipient of this gift will be thrilled with its versatility! 
8. LUSH Charity Pot Winter + washing dishes = dry hand city. No fun. But with this lotion, you'll be doing double duty: moisturizing and contributing to a good cause! Win win! 
9. Kuhn Rikon Kinderkitchen Essential Set Know a kiddo who wants to spend more time in the kitchen? These knives are perfect for little ones just learning their way around the kitchen. They are the perfect size for little hands and aren't sharp enough to do any damage if a little slip occurs. Plus, they're ADORABLE. 

Creamy, Dreamy Miso Mashed Potatoes

Well, we have officially lived in our house for just 2 weeks short of a year. Yes, we still have boxes to unpack. Don't judge me. I tried to make a dent in what is left this afternoon by sorting through stacks of boxes that were hidden away in the garage. A lot of them have been unopened for nearly a decade. They have just been moved from place to place to place without a second thought. Today, I found some treasures that took me on an unexpectedly emotional journey down memory lane. One discovery in particular made me feel especially nostalgic. My mom made a couple of keepsake boxes from two musicals I did in high school. My old costumes were inside, along with programs and posters signed by fellow cast members. It was fun to remember being Audrey in Little Shop of Horrors and singing By My Side in Godspell. Those memories don't surface often enough.

Speaking of memories and nostalgia and all that...can we talk about mashed potatoes? I have deliciously fond memories of mashed potatoes from Thanksgiving as a kid. My mom makes THE BEST mashed potatoes on the planet. True story. As a result, every time I make them now that I'm all grown up, I have her potatoes in mind. They are never exactly the same as mom's, but #lifegoals, right?

These creamy, dreamy miso mashed potatoes come in at a close second place to mom's. No, she doesn't use miso. I guess you could call that my "signature" in this case. They are creamy, rich, and so darned easy you won't even believe it. And before you go to the store to buy an entire container of white miso, check the dark corners of your fridge for that container you bought 6 months ago for that one recipe. I know there are a few of you out there with miso just waiting to be used in something as crowd-pleasing as mashed potatoes!

I used red potatoes with the skins on, but you are more than welcome to peel those babies if you prefer. I also used crispy onions (because, hello, I can't get enough!) but you could just as easily toast some panko bread crumbs and salt in a little butter and sprinkle those over the top instead! I also added a little bit of shichimi togarashi, but if you don't have any, just add some extra black pepper. Looking for a little green color? Toss some chives on top! This is one of those side dishes that will leave your guests wanting more and wondering what it was that made your potatoes so amazing! 

You're welcome. :)

Creamy, Dreamy Miso Mashed Potatoes

Makes 6-8 servings

• 2 lbs red potatoes, scrubbed and halved or quartered
• 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 2 tablespoons white miso paste
• 1/2 cup sour cream
• 1/4 cup milk (plus more to adjust texture if necessary)
• salt and black pepper to taste
• 1 teaspoon shichimi togarashi plus extra to sprinkle over the top (optional)
• 1/3 cup crispy onions

1. Place the potatoes in a large pot and cover completely with cold water.
2. Bring the water to a gentle boil. Reduce the heat to maintain a gentle boil and cook until potatoes are fork tender. Drain and set aside. Return the pot to the stove over medium low heat.
3. Melt the butter with miso paste in the bottom of the pot, stirring constantly with a whisk until the butter and miso are smooth and fully incorporated. Turn off the heat.
4. Add the sour cream to the pot and stir to combine. Add the potatoes and milk to the pot.
5. Use a potato masher to combine all the ingredients until as smooth (or lumpy) as you prefer. Add a touch more milk if needed.
6. Season with salt and pepper. Add the shichimi and stir to combine.
7. Transfer to a serving bowl, top with the onions, and serve!