Cranberry, Caramelized Onion, and Goat Cheese Dip
I made this dip for a holiday gathering with Hubby’s family. The original recipe called for blue cheese, but I substituted goat cheese and it came out fantastic. The combo of sweet and tart from the caramelized onions and the cranberries was great. And it was really easy to throw together.
I mixed up the cheese layer a day in advance. Since it has to be chilled anyways, I just threw it in the fridge (covered) overnight and then made the onion/cranberry layer just prior to serving it. This dip was a big hit and was devoured by the six of us in no time flat. I served it with a variety of crackers.
Cranberry, Caramelized Onion, and Goat Cheese Dip
Ingredients:
8-ounce package cream cheese, softened
4-ounce package goat cheese, room temperature
1 cup finely shredded Cheddar cheese, room temperature
2 teaspoons vegetable oil
1 medium sweet onion, diced
1 teaspoon sugar
1 cup fresh or frozen cranberries
1/4 cup sugar
1/4 cup water
1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
1/4 cup coarsely chopped pecans (optional)
Directions:
In a mixer, combine the cream cheese and goat cheese. Beat until smooth. Add the cheddar cheese and mix until well incorporated. Spread into the bottom of a baking dish. Cover and chill for at least 1 hour.
Heat oil in a skillet over med-high heat. Add the diced onions and saute until softened. Add sugar and mix well. Continue cooking to caramelize the onions. Lower the heat slightly and stir every few minutes. This should take about 10 minutes.
Once the onions are caramelized remove them from the skillet and set aside. Add the cranberries, water, and sugar into the skillet the onions just came out of. Stir to dissolve sugar. Turn heat up to medium and cook until cranberries pop open and are softened, ~5 minutes. Once mixture thickens, add the balsamic vinegar and return the onions to the skillet.
Stir well and then let cool.
Just prior to serving dip, spoon the cranberry mixture on top of the cheese mixture.
Recipe adapted from Blissfully Domestic
I am Jen the Beantown Baker. Engineer by day and baking maven by night. Hubby serves as my #1 fan and official taste tester. We got hitched back in 2006. Barefoot. In the sand. With the waves crashing behind us. It was one of the best decisions we’ve ever made. 
One of my favorites! You read my mind…I made a spread with my roasted zucchini yesterday.
Another thing I like to do when roasting zucchini is to slice it very thin, and then it comes out almost like a chip. I have eaten entire zucchinis on my own that way!
yum, yum, yummmm! Love roasting vegetables! If you aren’t in the mood to turn on the over; use your same exact recipe and throw them on the grill… but cut them long ways at about a 1/2 inch thick! It’s been my favorite way to eat them this summer! 🙂 Thanks for sharing!
katie
katiescucina.blogspot.com
I wish I had more squash, I would make this tonight!! I’ll do it another day, thanks!
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Just thought I’d stop back in and thank you for sharing this idea… I’d never thought of roasting my zucchini before. I made it last night for dinner using three medium zucchini and my kids ate every single bit of it. They LOVED it! So thank you for giving me a new way to get them eating fresh veggies.
Oh this was so good, and I just love the so simple factor!!! Thanks for sharing!