Homemade Onion Dip

Whenever I get a craving for something salty, I could walk to the tiendita that is just a couple of houses down from my house, to buy a bag of chips. But I would much rather walk to El Jardin, which is about 3 blocks away, to buy a bag of freshly made potato chips, fried to order, on the spot.

Traditionally, these homemade potato chips are topped with salt, freshly squeezed lime juice and lots of bottled hot sauce.  While chips with limon y sal (lime and salt) are quite delicious, there are times when I crave something more.

Like a creamy dip.

When I was growing up, my grandmother always had a bowl of dip in the fridge and a stash of flavor packets in the pantry to make more.

Those little flavor packets aren't available in my pueblito, so I was often left with el antojo (the craving).  Never did it occur to me that I could make a flavorful dip without one of those little flavor packets.  But that all changed when I saw this recipe for onion dip on the King Arthur Flour blog.

A super easy recipe, with ingredients I usually have on hand.  I had to make a couple of changes, like substituting Mexican Crema for the sour cream.  And I left out a few other minor ingredients, like mayonnaise and Worcestershire sauce.  But the end result was absolutely delicious and a recipe that the entire family, including my in-laws, has come to love.

This Homemade Onion Dip is great with chips, crackers, raw veggies and even french fries.  But it also makes a great spread for sandwiches or burgers. 

Homemade Onion Dip
(slightly adapted from King Arthur Flour)

Ingredients:

• 6 oz. cream cheese, softened
• 1 cup Mexican crema 
• 1 large onion
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1/2 cup water or chicken broth

Directions:
Chop the onion. 

Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a medium skillet over medium heat.  Add the onion and garlic and sauté until light golden brown.  Carefully pour in the water.  Let the onion mixture simmer until all of the liquid has absorbed.  Remove from heat and let cool slightly.

In a medium mixing bowl, combine the cream cheese and Mexican crema with an electric mixer.

Stir in the cooled onion mixture; season with salt.

Serve with potato chips or crackers.  Enjoy!!!