Cranberry, Caramelized Onion, and Goat Cheese Dip

Monday, January 11, 2010

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

Appetizers / Snacks

10 comments »

12 Responses to “Indian Spiced Beans”

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1

Fun and Fearless in Beantown — January 11, 2011 at 5:09 pm

This does look easy and the ingredients seem really flavorful! I love simple meals like this that have a lot of flavor and make great leftovers 🙂
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2

Melissa — January 11, 2011 at 5:26 pm

I love Indian Food! I totally agree about the smell of garam masala cooking!
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3

Daisy — January 11, 2011 at 6:28 pm

sounds like a delicious easy meal! Great to see you and hubby last night!
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4

Mom-in-law — January 11, 2011 at 8:52 pm

BB – what is garam masala? What spices are in it (maybe I can recreate with what I already have).
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5

In and Around Town — January 11, 2011 at 8:55 pm

Looks like an easier dinner made a bit more fun with the Indian twist!
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6

Jen — January 11, 2011 at 9:00 pm

Mom-in-law: I buy garam masala at a small Indian market near our place. I did a quick Google and came up with this recipe.
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Bridget — January 12, 2011 at 4:15 am

I love garam masala!!! It’s one of my favorite ingredients.
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We Are Not Martha — January 12, 2011 at 6:23 am

Yum! I love Indian food and this is a great way to make it at home without a whole lot of work. And pretty healthy, too 🙂

Sues
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9

Robo Stir — January 12, 2011 at 3:43 pm

These Indian spiced beans look great! Thanks so much for the recipe.
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Michal Najman — January 7, 2013 at 10:28 am
This will be cooked in Prague today with minor modifications 🙂 (Occhio beans..)
- beantownbaker — January 7th, 2013 @ 8:52 pm
  
  Oh fun! I hope you enjoy them.
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Rebecca Cooper — April 28, 2015 at 6:53 pm

Would be helpful if the can size of the tomatoes were provided.