Tuesday, February 1, 2011

Caramelized Onion Dip and a CSN Giveaway


Are you ready for some football??  Are you ready to shop??  I can help you with both!

The CSN Stores has graciously offered up a $45 Giftcard for us give away to one of our lucky readers.  Meeting all of your shopping needs, the CSN Stores offers you department after department for your shopping pleasure, including products ranging from backyard swing sets (what kids doesn't want one of those??) and trampolines to hand mixers (I got mine there!) and cooking tools and gadgets.  

Open to our Canadian and US readers, our giveaway will close at 5 PM on Super Bowl Sunday (2/6/11 - 5 PM Pacific Standard Time).  Our house will be hopping with our annual Super Bowl Extravaganza, and Molly (from our last giveaway) and Olivia will work some sort of magic to come up with a random number indicating our fortuitous winner.  

To enter, all you need to do is to leave us a comment below about your favorite Super Bowl treat (feel free to leave a link to your blog!) and who you think will win this year's Big Event.  

If you would like to tweet our giveaway, sign up as a Liv Life follower on Twitter, Facebook, RSS or email, we would truly appreciate it, but you do not need to do this to enter.  (Note... our directions are in Green as I'm pretty darn sure that Greenbay has it in the bag! =0  )

2011 marks Liv Life celebrating it's 8th Annual Super Bowl Extravaganza.  What began as a Super Junk Food Day for my then 6 year old son, two of his friends and their dads has turned into a guest list of 50+ people and more of a gourmet spread including Becky's Famous Football Stromboli (shown at left), Kim's Coconut Mango Chicken Wonton Cups, Naomi's homemade authentic sushi (she's from Japan!), Ellen's Coconut Shrimp, Darlene's guacamole and Claudine's Seven-Layer Dip.  Pringles, M&M's and good old fashioned Queso Dip also grace our table, but the eats have definitely improved over the years.

This year Caramelized Onion Dip will be featured with a big bowl of multi-grain Pita chips on the side.   Rich with the caramelized onions seasoned with a little balsamic and then stirred into cream cheese, we found this dip to be somewhat addicting.  Tasty either warm or cold, this creamy dip is sure to be a winner.

Liv and I are looking forward to your favorite Football treats in the comments below!

Go Packers!!



Caramelized Onion Dip
adapted from one of my favorite appetizer books: Grazing: A Healthier Approach to Snacks and Finger Foods, Julie Van Rosendaal

1 Tbs grape seed oil (or olive or canola oil)
2 - 3 large sweet onions, cut in half and thinly sliced (I used 2)
3 cloves garlic, crushed
1 Tbs balsamic vinegar
1/2 cup low fat sour cream
1/2 cup low fat cream cheese (I used a whipped version!)
salt and pepper to taste

Heat oil in a large non-stick skillet over medium-low heat.  Add the onions and cook, stirring often for about 20 minutes, or until they turn golden.  Add the garlic and balsamic vinegar and cook for another 3 minutes, until deep golden and caramelized.  Set aside to cool slightly.

Transfer onions to a medium bowl and stir in sour cream, cream cheese and salt and pepper.  If desired, whiz in a food processor until smooth.  Cover and chill, or serve warm.  We really liked it both warm and cold!


Note:  I like the "chunks" of onion in my dip, but the slices seemed a bit large.  I used some kitchen shears to cut the onions (just a bit) while they were in the skillet - being careful not to scrape the non-stick pan.

59 comments:

  1. Oooh that dip looks all kinds of good! Love the caramlized bit.
    My favorite is pigs in a blanket. I'm so not cool.
    Hoping for my BFF's sake that the Packers win. Don't really have a personal stake as the Saints lost. To the freakin' Seahawks. Sigh.

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  2. Huh? Super-what? Those pita chips are distracting me. I think my fave is beer dip for sure! With pita chips of course. I really really hope Green Bay goes home with the trophy but my gut instinct says it's not a sure thing. We'll see how strong the force is with me...

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  3. My Dad's side of the family would love you!! They are totally rooting for the Packers, as is my brother as well. My husband's bears are out so I guess we're gonna help cheer on the Pack! I'm a big fan of yours already!! And that dip looks so creamy and delicious.
    I love any dip. It's hard to pick one party food but if I have to, I'm gonna say chili :)

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  4. I'm thinking about making the Stromboli! The caramelized onion dip looks good ... I'm surprised the caramelized onions didn't turn the dip a brownish color! I might have to try it! Thanks!

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  5. Great looking dip! I hate picking sides, so I'm still undecided on who I want to win! Love to be included. I love queso dip too. Can't wait to eat lots of cheesy goodness on the Superbowl, sounds like you guys will have a blast!
    http://whatsfordinner-acrossstatelines.blogspot.com/
    -Gina-

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  6. I have to admit that I do not know much about football but I do hope that the Packers win. Your dip looks very moreish. If I was going to a party I would more than likely bring dessert. I would probably make the Cheesecake Brownies from my blog.

    http://allthatsleftarethecrumbs.blogspot.com/2009/09/momplease-bring-cheesecake-brownies.html

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  7. Oh I love carmelized onions! This dip sounds wonderous!
    I plan on making Better Than Crack brownies for the Superbowl!

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  8. Awesome giveaway! What a great site to buy from!

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  9. Guacamole and chips:)
    aubreyfick@yahoo.com

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  10. Corn dogs are my fave super bowl treat but carmelized anything is also way up there!!
    ceecee
    www.withinthekitchen.blogspot.com

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  11. I love balsamic and think this is a great idea for this dip. Here is my version of a Hot Onion Dip: http://eliotseats.com/?p=2641
    The brown sugar just makes it more "caramelie."

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  12. i know this is going to be the most boring favorite super bowl treat, but nothing really can match good old Ranch dip and Ruffles potato chips. it's like a year's worth of calories and not at all good for you, but hey just once a year, right? I have no idea who will win, I don't really follow football, but i'll go with the Packers since i know you like them. maybe the goodwill will have an affect on the outcome!

    i'm also hosting a giveaway on my site today. you should stop by and check it out if you have any interest. cheers!

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  13. Curry Chicken Pizza (http://daktarisdiner.blogspot.com/2010/12/curry-chicken-pizza.html)

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  14. My fave game day treat? Wings, wings and more wings! I don't really care who wins, so I will say the Packers too.

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  15. this looks great!!!! cant wait to try it! I love buffalo chicken dip!

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  16. Looks like I might be the only one with a different answer but I'm backing my beloved Steelers! My favorite Super Bowl treat is chicken wings and lots of them! Don't forget the creamy ranch dressing. Yummy!

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  17. I love your caramelized onion dip, which is much healthier than its' predecessor. My son will love this. I'm a Bears fan in denial, so I can't root for the Packers, and I don't like the Steelers either, but I'm remaining neutral, if possible

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  18. This look divine...so delicious, and amazing photos as always!!!

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  19. Great looking dip, I have to admit that onion dip is my all time favorite;-) I don't have a favorite team this year;-(

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  20. hmmm...favourite superbowl snack.....gotta go with the chicken wings here! Hot and spicy!!

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  21. Buffalo chicken dip is perfect for the Super Bowl...hearty and cheesy...who could resist!

    http://thatskinnychickcanbake.blogspot.com/2010/06/buffalo-chicken-dip.html

    With a dog named Lambeau, I think you know who we're rooting for!!!

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  22. Onion dip is one of my favorites - it's been so long since I made it! This with the caramelized onion is extra special. One of my favorites is White Chicken Chili - with all the fixin's like sour cream and cheese with tortilla chips for dipping!

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  23. Kim-I love onion dips but with the caramelized onions, wow! way over the top, yummy! I follow your blog, and have to check if I'm following you on twitter, since I'm rarely on it.
    My favorite team is the Packers! My friend, Melinda lives in Wisconsin, and I'm sticking by her team, and I also love them too!
    Here's the link from my Buffalo Hot wings that I posted last week!

    http://foodandthriftfinds.blogspot.com/2011/01/buffalo-chicken-wings-with-blue-cheese.html

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  24. We like vegetables with guacamole. Yum!

    lovelydomesticdiva (at) gmail (dot) com

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  25. Kim- I have an award waiting for you to be picked up on my blog. Please stop by, and check for your name on the list!
    Congratulations!

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  26. Love this recipe!!! But then again I love, love dips, and snacks:)
    My favorite football team was not very good this year, sooooo I will just be enjoying a good game:)
    Take care,
    Terra

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  27. I like pigs in a blanket and I think the Steelers are going to win.

    hewella1 at gmail dot com

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  28. Oh yum! That Stromboli looks delicious! I always have to make my families favorite Mexican lasagna chip dip and hot wings for football games.

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  29. Don't know about the super bowl..well, no idea about American football...however, I wish all of participants GOOD LUCK!
    Angie

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  30. Yeah, I'm not a big fan of either of the Superbowl teams, unfortunately. The Eagles should have been there! =) I'd have to say my favorite treat for game day is some good ol' wings though!

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  31. Oh, I'm making this recipe this year. Should complement the wings nicely. Apparently it's not the super bowl if we don't have wings, or so the others in the house tell me. Personally, I'm all about the dips.

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  32. I think I want to eat at your house on game day. What great food!!! My son is a huge Packers fan, too. He was so happy they made it to the Super Bowl.

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  33. although I'm not going to watch the Super Bowl I'll go with cheesy onion dip and pita bread.

    oh yeah, Go Packers !!!!

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  34. Green Bay brats! How's that for a succinct answer? kate@kateiscooking.blogspot.com

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  35. delicious combination for a dip looks wonderful

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  36. I'm not a huge football fan in general, but seeing as I live in Pittsburgh, I've resigned myself to the fact I will be cheering for them. But it's definitely not a great party without some Beer Cheese Dip! Love that stuff!

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  37. Oh we love caramelized onion dip, but if we don't have that, we'd happily settle on warm artichoke and spinach dip. Mmmm.

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  38. I love onion dip too--I've made the pan-fried version from Ina Garten's cookbook, but my whole family loves old-fashioned Lipton's onion dip too. My dad and I would share a batch of delicious "Shrooms", as we're the only ones who like mushrooms.
    My familial loyalty is to the Cowboys (I don't really watch football), so not the Packers. :) I guess that leaves the Steelers.

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  39. YUM!I may have to try his with Greek yogurt and see how that works. I may have to do this today..Dang cravings... CHEERS!

    P.S. Hope to meet you in San Diego at the end of the month...

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  40. I really love stromboli and mini ham and cheese samis

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  41. My mom makes these really incredible sausage rolls for the big game. I think I like them more than the game!

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  42. I love ideas like this! Delicious AND nutritious. I will be adding this to the Superbowl Sunday menu. Thanks!

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  43. I love carmelized onions in any way, shape or form!

    I am a Minnesota girl and was raised to hate the Packers (even though I went to undergrad in GB!). I think my father would disown me if I ever cheered for them, so go Steelers!

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  44. I love a good onion dip - the fact that you caramelized them makes me hungry to taste it. Maybe I'd have a side of chicken wings. I am in a rock and a hard place with this Super Bowl - there's the Packer-Vikings rivalry at work here. On the other hand, I often work in Hudson and feel obligated to support WI.

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  45. My fave snack is either the grape jelly/chili sauce meatballs or stuffed mushrooms. So glad to see more Packer Backers than the other way around!!! Our family, friends, and community are thrilled our Packers made it to Super Bowl and we hope and pray they come out of it with the big trophy!!

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  46. Chili Cheese Dip. I never eat chips and dip but the super bowl has always been my one exeption. I can never pass it up :)And I agree go Packers!

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  47. The onion dip definitely sounds fantastic to me!

    Jason

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  48. I'm going to leave two suggestions for Big Game treats, one is made at home, the other you pick up on the way to the party. A friend of mine makes a delicious Buffalo Chicken Dip, which just today I've already seen about 3 recipes for on various blogs. I don't know where she gets her's, but it's delicious. The second is White Castle hamburgers! They're the perfect size, you can eat one or ten, and they taste great. I saw a recipe the other day for s Spicy White Caste Dip, using the burgers and a food processor, that sounded awesome too.

    I'm going with the Steelers to win this year, though I'm no big fan of either team.

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  49. The only reason I even watch football is for the party food LOL. I think my favorite appetizer is guacamole and chips!

    I have no idea who will win, but I'll say Greenbay if it will help my chances with this giveaway ;)

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  50. Best treats are the chips & dips. & beer. & pizza.

    I don't have a favorite team. Just hoping for a good game!

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  51. It's our tradition to make chili dogs every Super Bowl...I make homemade chili in the crockpot.

    Being from Cleveland and the arch rivals of Pittsburgh...I'm rooting for the Packers this year.

    shel704 at aol dot com

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  52. We LOVE stromboli! But my favorite football treat are hamburgers hot off the grill.

    shannoncarman at yahoo dot com

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  53. I don't follow football, so no favorite recipe for Super Bowl :( But your COD looks fabulous and will come handy for family gatherings :)

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  54. I don't follow football, but my favorite game-day-type snack is a spinach dip my husband makes using the Knorr's mix and the recipe on the packet! And, I've randomly decided to root for the Packers!

    eemoody77 at gmail dot com

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  55. If we watch the game at home, our favorite game-day recipe is Buffalo Wings and if we go to someone else's place, we bring Buffalo Chicken Dip. I have a feeling it will be a pretty tight game tomorrow but my husband and I will be rooting for the Packers. I'd like to see Aaron Rodgers do well.

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  56. Up until a few weeks ago, my favorite game-day menu was probably carne asada with a side of homemade guac and some tortilla chips. BUT, you had to go and introduce me to Becky's Stromboli, and now that might be #1. Yum!!! I'm sure your party will be a blast, Kim! GO PACK!! =)

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  57. Sounds like a really great dip :) I usually dont eat such snacks, but when guests come it's a best thing :) thanks

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