Bacon And Caramelized Leek Dip Food

BACON-AND-CARAMELIZED-LEEK DIP

Steps:

• Melt butter in a large skillet over medium-low heat. Cook leeks, stirring often, until caramelized, about 35 minutes. Transfer to a bowl and let cool.
• Stir in sour cream, goat cheese, bacon, and 1 1/2 teaspoons salt.

CARAMELIZED BACON

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. Line a sheet pan with aluminum foil (for easy cleaning) and place a wire baking rack on top.
• Combine the brown sugar and pecans in a food processor and process until the pecans are finely ground. Add the salt, black pepper and cayenne pepper and pulse to combine. Add the maple syrup and pulse again to moisten the crumbs.
• Cut each bacon slice in half crosswise and line up the pieces on the baking rack without touching. With a small spoon, evenly spread the pecan mixture on top of each piece of bacon, using all of the mixture. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes, until the topping is very browned but not burnt. If it's underbaked, the bacon won't crisp as it cools.
• While it's hot, transfer the bacon to a plate lined with paper towels and set aside to cool. Serve at room temperature. (The caramelized bacon can be made early in the day and stored at room temperature.)

LEEK DIP

Steps:

• In a medium bowl, mix together the leeks, cream cheese, creamy salad dressing, vinegar, sugar, bacon bits, salt and pepper. Refrigerate 2 to 3 hours, until well chilled.

CARAMELIZED ONION AND BACON DIP

Steps:

• Heat a large skillet. Add the olive oil. When it shimmers, add the onions and salt and cook over low heat, stirring occasionally, until the onions are deep golden in color, 45 minutes to I hour; add a little water if needed to prevent sticking. Add the vinegar during the last minute of cooking. Let cool.
• Meanwhile, cook the bacon in a small skillet until it has rendered its fat. Using a slotted spoon, transfer the bacon to a paper-towel-lined plate; reserve the fat in the pan if you will be frying the shallots.
• Let the bacon cool.
• Stir together the mayonnaise, sour cream, onions, and bacon in a large bowl.
• For the optional garnish, add the vegetable oil to the skillet with the bacon fat and heat over medium-high heat until the oil shimmers. Add the shallots, lower the heat, and cook, stirring occasionally, until golden brown, about 2 minutes. Drain the shallots on a paper-towel-lined plate.
• Garnish the dip with the fried shallots, if using, and serve.

PAULA DEEN'S CHEESY CARAMELIZED ONION AND BACON DIP

Steps:

• In a large skillet, melt butter over medium-low heat. Add onions; cover and cook for 40 minutes, stirring occasionally.
• Increase heat to medium-high. Uncover and cook, stirring frequently, until onions are caramel colored, 10 to 15 minutes. Remove from heat, and stir in vinegar, pepper, and salt. Use immediately, or let cool, cover, and refrigerate for up to 3 days.
• In a small bowl, combine all ingredients for the Crunch Topping.
• Preheat oven to 350°. Spray a 2-quart baking dish with nonstick cooking spray.
• In a large bowl, beat cream cheese and next 3 ingredients at medium speed with a mixer until combined. Stir in crumbled bacon and Caramelized Onions. Spoon mixture into prepared pan, and sprinkle with Crunchy Topping.
• Bake for 30 minutes or until hot and bubbly.