RECIPES
Two very good dips
FROM THE KITCHEN OF ERIN FRENCH
CARAMELIZED SHALLOT DIP
This dip is straight-up born from my childhood Lipton French Onion Soup flavor packet dreams. My mom always had a box in her pantry, and it was the beloved staple for many a picnic or potluck spread. This is slowed-down, from scratch version that nostalgic dreams are made of.
Ingredients
4 tablespoons unsalted butter
4 large shallots, thinly sliced
1 small yellow or white onion, sliced
2 tablespoons packed brown sugar
Kosher salt
1 garlic clove, minced
8 ounces plain cream cheese, at room temperature
1/2 cup mayonnaise
1/4 cup sour cream
1 heaping tablespoon chopped chives
Freshly ground black pepper
Directions
IN A MEDIUM SAUCEPAN, melt the butter over low heat. Add the shallots, onion, brown sugar, and a sprinkle of salt and cook, stirring occasionally, until the shallots are well caramelized, 25 to 30 minutes.
Add the garlic and cook, stirring, for 1 minute. Remove the pan from the heat and let the mixture cool completely.
Transfer the shallot mixture to a cutting board and coarsely chop it.
In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, whip the cream cheese on medium-high speed until light and fluffy, 3 to 4 minutes. Add the mayonnaise , sour cream, cooled shallot mixture and chives and mix until well combined. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
Serve in a decorative bowl, with grilled bread, crudités, and/or crackers.
FARMHOUSE GARDEN WHIP
Creamy, bright and fresh, this addictive dip is especially nice with combination of mint, basil, and dill, but the tangy cream cheese-goat cheese base is so versatile that any other herb blend will work. Feel free to play with your own herbal flavors. Then all you need are some sliced veggies or crackers for dipping.
Ingredients
8 ounces plain cream cheese, at room temperature
1/2 cup goat cheese, at room temperature
1/4 cup sour cream
2 tablespoons freshly grated pecorino cheese
1 garlic clove, finely minced
2 teaspoons finely chopped fresh dill
2 teaspoons finely chopped fresh mint
2 teaspoons finely chopped fresh basil
2 teaspoons finely chopped fresh chives
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
Directions
IN THE BOWL OF a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, combine the cream cheese, goat cheese, and sour cream. Beat on medium-high speed until the mixture is fluffy, 3 to 4 minutes, scraping down the sides of the bowl as needed. Add the pecorino and garlic and beat for 1 minute, just to combine. Add the dill, mint, basil, chives, and pepper and beat to combine. Serve with crackers or crudités.
