Caramelised Onion and Thyme Dip
Dips are so useful to whip up in a hurry and this one is a brilliant standby recipe. There are usually a few onions knocking about in most kitchens and if you don't have sour cream either substitute with plain yoghurt (Greek or natural) or add a little lemon juice to double cream. Check out the great method below for crispy fried shallots - no mess and no smelly kitchen.
Ingredients
2 large onions
1 clove garlic, finely chopped
3 tbsp olive oil
2 sprigs of thyme
2 tsp brown sugar
120ml sour cream
Seasoning
To finish:
1 shallot
1 tbsp vegetable oil
Chives
Pitta
Olive oil
Method
Heat the olive oil in a frying pan. Add the sliced onions, garlic and thyme. Cook with a lid on for 20 minutes or so, stirring occasionally. The onions need to be browning and soft enough to break up with a wooden spoon.
Add the brown sugar at the end and stir to dissolve into the onions.
Cool and mash (or purée if you prefer a smoother texture), removing any twiggy bits of thyme.
Stir in the sour cream and season to taste.
To serve: sprinkle with fried shallots and chopped chives and pitta crisps to dip.
To quickly fry the shallot: finely slice the shallot and mix around in the vegetable oil until they are completely covered. Put on a plate and cook in the microwave for 2 or 3 minutes on full power. Keep a close eye on this as it burns very quickly. When most of the shallot is golden tip out on to kitchen towel to blot. Sprinkle with a little salt.
Before serving scatter the fried shallot rings and chopped chives over the dip and serve with pitta crisps or raw vegetables .
Pitta crisps
These make great little snacks on their own as well. A sprinkle of chilli powder or sesame seeds are tasty additions if they are served alone.
Ingredients
I pack plain folded flatbreads (or regular pitta)
Olive oil
Seasoning
Method
Heat oven to 190°c.
Brush the flatbreads on both sides with olive oil and season.
Cut flatbreads into small rough triangle shapes.
Bake on a baking sheet for approximately 6 minutes until light gold in colour.
Cool on a cake rack and then store in an airtight tin.
