Leek And Onion Vegetable Dip Food

CARAMELIZED ONION DIP WITH FRIZZLED LEEKS

Steps:

• Put the onions in a large skillet over medium heat. Cover and cook, stirring infrequently, until the onions are dry and almost sticking to the pan, about 20 minutes. Stir in 2 tablespoons of the oil and a large pinch of salt and turn the heat down to medium-low. Cook, stirring occasionally and adding just enough additional oil to keep them from sticking without getting greasy. The onions are ready when they're dark, sweet and jammy, 40 minutes to 1 hour later.
• Sprinkle with black pepper, stir in the thyme and remove the onions from the heat. When they're cool, fold them into the yogurt and stir in the lemon juice. Taste and adjust the seasoning, then transfer the mixture to a serving bowl. (At this point, you can cover the dip with plastic wrap and refrigerate for up to 2 days.)
• Wipe or wash out the skillet and put it over medium-high heat. When it's hot, add the remaining 4 tablespoons oil. A few seconds later, add half the leeks, turn the heat up to high and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Use a spatula to turn the leeks over as they cook. Be careful: they will go from not-browned to burnt pretty quickly, and you want to catch them in between those stages, when they're browned and crisp. Transfer the leeks to paper towels to drain and repeat with the remaining leeks, adding more oil to the pan if necessary to keep them from sticking.
• Garnish the onion dip with the crisp leeks and serve immediately with crudités or crackers.

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.

CHARRED ONION DIP

Steps:

• Heat broiler. Toss 1 thinly sliced shallot, 1 thinly sliced leek, and 2 thinly sliced scallions with 2 tablespoons olive oil; season with salt. Broil, tossing once, until charred, 10-15 minutes. Let cool. Mix with 1 grated garlic clove, 1/2 cup mayonnaise, 1/2 cup sour cream, 2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice, and 1 teaspoon chopped thyme. Thin with 2 tablespoons buttermilk; season with salt and pepper. Serve topped with thyme.

HOT LEEK DIP

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.
• Make a bread bowl by cutting off the top third of the loaf of bread to expose the inner crumb. Use your fingers to tear out the crumb, trying to keep it in large pieces. Cut or tear the crumb of the bread into 1 1/2-inch pieces. Place the bread bowl and the bread pieces on a baking sheet and bake until slightly dried out and lightly toasted, about 10 minutes.
• Put the leeks in a large bowl of water and wash thoroughly; drain.
• Melt the butter in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add the leeks, garlic, cayenne, salt and pepper to taste and cook, stirring occasionally, until very tender and golden in parts, about 10 minutes. Add the milk and bring to a simmer. Add the cream cheese and goat cheese a few spoonfuls at a time, stirring well after each addition, until all of the cheese is smoothly incorporated. Continue to cook, stirring, until the dip is hot, about 3 minutes more. Stir in the dill, lemon zest and juice and season with salt and pepper. Transfer to the bread bowl and garnish with the dill sprig. Serve with the toasted bread and vegetables for dipping. Top with bread top as decoration.