It seems I last left you while I was trying to decide whether to have a Memorial Day BBQ.
I was quite indecisive about what to make and who to have but I did manage to attract 7 friends to an un-American Mediterranean dinner.
Manservant was still busily working on my folly, so I knew it was up to me to pull it together.
All was going well until 5PM. Friends were arriving at 6. Yes, at 5PM Manservant saw the hose spigot from the house explode into his office and our basement.
Yes this hose spigot had been installed just two years ago by a certified plumber, so who could imagine that it would just snap in half, inside our wall, gushing water.
Not me for one. And who could imagine that this plumber is no longer in business?
It was at that point I said let's call this shindig off while Manservant was anxiously turning off the water and trying to figure out how to turn it on again, without it pouring into his office.
Let's face it, Sunday of Memorial Day weekend is not a good time to be looking for a plumber and I didn't want to have 9 people eating on not paper plates-and then not have water-our most valuable resource- to clean up with.
Well, Manservant somehow managed to pull it off and now we have water and one more water related issue to add to our broken kitchen faucet and dead water heater incidents this year.
They say things happen in threes and I'm sure hoping this is #3. In this case we did have our party and even though Manservant was in the shower when everyone arrived, we all quickly forgave him.
I managed to grill some lemon oregano chicken, serve it with some tzatziki sauce and grilled pita, make an eggplant gratin and a really good salad topped with hearts of palm, artichokes and roasted peppers.
Dessert was a baked skillet cherry pie that I decided on after discovering cherries from 2015 still in the freezer. No one was the wiser!
All of these were a hit but it was the appetizers that just didn't seem to fly. I loved them, but I think everyone else was being somewhat polite.
I kept to the theme and made a big mezze plate with sliced chorizo and cheese, some marinated white beans, some skordalia-a garlic Greek spread that I adore-and then I made (IMO) a really good hazelnut, allspice and blue cheese spread that I stuffed into celery.
Other than that spread, everyone was just kind of ho hum on the appetizers. Let's admit it. People like this:
I could have made my Mediterranean Layer Dip with hummus and tzatziki, but hummus has never been my fave! And it is so totally not my generation.
I may like hummus, but I wasn't raised on it.
I was raised on Lipton's onion soup dip and those plastic dip containers you buy at the grocery. And Perfect potato chips.
I don't even know if those are still around. They for sure aren't in Colorado. Don't ask me how I know.
In any case we had some really good white beans and some great celery spread to munch on while we cleaned out Manservant's office.
We took out the drenched carpet pad, the old disgusting carpet and two desks and two bookshelves, four chairs and filing cabinets and currently are looking at a cement floor that we are considering staining.
Just one more task to add to our growing list, but one thing's for sure-at least we are still eating well! And hey! After all that moving and cleaning I'm sure our bodies can absorb some delectable cheese dip.
People love to eat calorie laden gooey cheese dips with potato chips and crackers. I know it, because I am one of those people.
Had I served this dip it would have been gone in 10 minutes flat. I know this, because it has happened before.
But I didn't serve this dip. I made it for Manservant and myself and we have been taking bites of it all week long. It is good hot and it is also good cold.
The spiciness of the black pepper seems to shine through more when it is cold. Now when I say cold I guess I mean room temperature and I also mean baked first.
Much better to meld the flavors that way. Yes, this dip is filled with onions, but they are sweet onions and honestly if I didn't tell you they were there, I'm not sure you'd know.
One could also add drained green chilies or a chopped chipotle or even some grated cheddar to give this dip some extra flavor.
This dip works as a template for all your favorite flavors. Add to it what you like best, but honestly it is perfection just as is.
Make a big batch and keep it in the fridge until you are ready to bake it.
Perfect for happy hour, you can just bake what you need and have more for the next one! It might take awhile to be happy in this house given the current state of affairs, but even I must admit that I sure wasn't unhappy to see that carpet go!
A few more great dips:
Mom's Artichoke Dip
Poblano Onion Dip
Peppadew Green Chile Cheese
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Recipe
Baked Onion Dip with Pepper
- Prep Time: 15 Minutes
- Cook Time: 60 Minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
- Yield: 4 -6 Servings 1x
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
Ingredients
- 8 oz cream cheese at room temperature
- 1 c mayonnaise
- 1 c fresh grated Parmesan
- 1 c diced sweet onions (or more if you like)
- 2 t freshly ground black pepper
- Drained Green chilies, or a chopped chipotle, or even some Cheddar (All optional, but all good!)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350.
- In a bowl, using an immersion blender, combine cream cheese, mayonnaise, Parmesan,and black pepper. Blend well.
- Stir in diced onion. Spoon the mixture into a 6" baking dish. Bake for 50-60 minutes or until dip is golden brown and crusty on top. Really.
- Serve with your choice of dippers or just a spoon. May be served hot or at room temperature.
Notes
Thanks White on Rice!
ellen says
If I was to use cheddar cheese instead of the chillies or chipotle, when would I add the cheddar cheese and what amount? Thank you.
Abbe says
I would use another half cup on top and mix another half cup into the cream cheese mixture to insure lots of cheesiness!
The Black Peppercorn says
Perfect for veggies, dips or crackers
HADIA ZEBIB says
Thanks for the delicious recipe!Pinning to try later
Mary Marshall says
Yummm! Can't wait to try this one!
Doreen Simpson says
Just love the sound of this onion dip, like Ally says it would be perfect for baked potatoes too ... delish Abbe ♥
Caroline Williams says
Sounds like a tasty combination!
Lynn Vining says
Sounds delicious!!! A lot like my Vidalia Onion Dip. Good stuff!
Ally says
You have me salivating! I'm gonna use this on baked taters, too!
Agness of Run Agness Run says
I will definitely try this dip recipe! Seem so mouth-watering!
Christine's Pantry says
Looks good.
Pam says
Holey moley! When it rains, it pours! Been there done that! An hour before a party years ago, the door fell off of the refrigerator onto the floor. Talk about crazy, but we were young and whatever then! Glad you still had your company and all. And this dip is to die for! Have to make this one for sure for a get together this summer. Thanks for the recipe! Third times the charm, good luck!
Sippity Sup says
You're a magician and the dip is just part of your magic! GREG
ANDY GIBBS says
The carmelization in the onion must also be adding a sweetness to this?
Abbe Odenwalder says
Since the onions are added to the dip raw, there is no caramelization. Just used the sweet onions. Hope you like it!
Sue/the view from great island says
My husband and I would make quick work of this...we love it as dinner!
Healthy World Cuisine says
Cheesy, oniony, spicy... hot of the oven deliciousness. Count us in!
SavoringTime in the Kitchen says
Wow, that's a Memorial Day party to remember! Hopefully, you plumbing issues are all over now. Amazing you were able to pull of your gathering! The dip looks delicious 😉
mjskit says
Why do plumbing issue always happen when you just want to take some time off and relax? 🙂 Hopefully, you are done with that. Love the meal you do manage to squeeze out on Memorial Day. This ooey gooey dip looks SOOOOOO good! I usually try to stay away from things with too much cheese for a cheese dip like this is just to good to walk away from.
Chris Scheuer says
Yum, looks delicious. I believe you're right, this would disappear in no time flat!
Anu - My Ginger Garlic Kitchen says
I have had onion dips in restaurants, but I don't know I haven't made at home yet. This recipes sounds simple and easy. I would try this.
mimi rippee says
I like the simplicity of this dip, flavored with onions for the most part. Wonderful.
Tania|MyKitchenstories. says
Love that story. Your poor manservant!!. Glad to hear you can be indecisive too. Sometimes that is just how it is. Thats all the trouble for you now , I can feel it in my waters.
GiGi Eats Celebrities says
I've never had an onion dip before. I imagine it being DELICIOUS but um, HELLLLOOOO sexy onion breath LOL!!!
Amy (Savory Moments) says
This dip looks super! It sounds like you had a very eventful weekend!
Cheri Savory Spoon says
What an exciting week-end you had Abbe, always enjoy reading about your adventures. I think if the same thing happened to me I would of had to cancel, you are pretty amazing!!! Love this onion dip and could probably eat most of it all by myself.
pamela (brooklynfarmgirl) says
This dip looks so tasty and irresistible!
Velva says
YIKES!!! I hate when unplanned house maintenance comes out of nowhere. Looks like you are no worse for the wear. Great dip! A perfect late spring appetizer.
Thanks for sharing.
Velva
D's Latest says
Thanks for lovely recipes. Just want to let you know I cannot remove the'share' dialogue box from the left of my screen. It makes it almost impossible to read your pages.
Abbe Odenwalder says
My guess is that you are looking at this on your phone! I agree it does get in the way. On the computer it does not. Thanks for letting me know. I'll see what I can do!
D's Latest says
Thanks! You are correct - looking on the phone.
Karen (Back Road Journal) says
I can't believe your holiday weekend, it certainly was memorable but not exactly in a good way. I've had onion dip but never a baked one, it sounds delicious.
Tricia Buice says
Wow what an eventful weekend. I really dislike plumbing problems and they do seem to come in threes. Heres hoping we have no more of that! I can't believe you still entertained. You are amazing Abbe! Love the dip too - my husband would flip for this and make a complete meal of it. Have a terrific weekend!
Kitchen Riffs says
Mmmm, rich dip! You're right -- no one can resist. This looks wonderful -- I could make a meal out of this. And in the past, with similar dips, have. 🙂 Sorry to hear about your plumbing problems -- let's indeed hope third time's the charm, so to speak. Good post -- thanks.
Liz Berg says
Oh, my gosh, there's always a glitch when entertaining, isn't there??? Thank goodness your personal handyman is more handy than mine. I'd be delighted with your mezze platter, though your onion dip is going on my "to try" list!! xo
Angie Schneider says
We love onions and garlic a lot, well, way too much, I am afraid :-)) This dipe looks so GOOD!
Lavender and Lime (http://tandysinclair.com) says
Oh my, that water gushing experience could not have been good. I would have wept! I like the sound of the onion dip but Dave would not eat it, so it won't be made by me sadly.
Kelsie | the itsy-bitsy kitchen says
Oh my gosh, Abbe! That's terrible! I'm wondering if the plumber is now out of business because more than one person had issues with exploding plumbing that he installed. . .I can't believe you still had your party! I would have canceled and hidden under the bed for the rest of the weekend :). This dip, though! This would definitely be worthy of coming out of hiding. I'm one of those cheesy dip lovers, especially when the dip is served with chips. Have a great weekend! NO MORE PLUMBING ISSUES!