Cooking is Cheaper than Therapy: Baked Onion Cheese Dip and Cry Baby Football Players

This is one of those recipes that I refer to as a "spring board," as it is almost fail-proof, and you can add various ingredients to change it up.  I first made this recipe last year for Superbowl Sunday XLIX. Everything was going well for the Seattle Seahawks until the fourth quarter. To keep from wincing in pain and to stop day-dreaming that Tom Brady of the New England Patriots would fall, twist his ankle, cry and howl for his mommy until he was removed from the game... Well, to keep my thoughts from being that of a "mean girl," I started thinking about this recipe and how to change it up for future, but of course for more victorious games. 

It's creamy, rich, fattening, and pure comfort, but something Tom Brady would never eat. You can even use a light cream cheese and mayonnaise. But why? Tom Brady still isn't going to eat it, no matter if you do use a light cream cheese and mayo. Again, if you are going to use a  light mayo, do not use mayo that has removed the eggs, oil, and all that's left is water and chemicals. Use light, but keep it the BEST. Go through your cheese drawer and use a mixture of the hard or semi-hard cheeses: Cheddar, Jack, Gouda, Swiss, Raclette, Parmesan, and even Mozzarella to name a few. Make it according to the recipe below, and give it a test drive. 

For the future, add other items that you enjoy, from: fried crispy bacon, chopped jalapenos or chilies, artichoke hearts, a cup of thawed frozen spinach (squeeze out the water really well), chopped green onions, sliced black olives, chopped pepperoni, or pre-cooked sausage. 

Ingredients: 

8 ounces cream cheese, let softened 

• 1 cup mayonnaise 
• 6 to 8 ounces grated cheese, hard or semi-hard
• 1 medium to large Walla Walla Sweet Onion (or any sweet onion), diced 
• 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper, more or less (optional)

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spray a baking dish (I used glass pie plate) with cooking spray. Set aside. 

In a mixing bowl, add all ingredients (except save about a 1/2 cup cheese to be sprinkled on top). Stir well to combine. Scoop finished mixture into prepared pie dish and spread evenly. Add the remaining 1/2 cup cheese (or more) on top of dip. Try to keep from dipping your fingers or crackers into the dip before it is baked. You can also make it the night before you are ready to bake. 

Bake for 45-50 minutes until the top is golden brown and bubbly. Let set and cool for a few minutes before serving. Serve with your favorite sturdy chips, crackers, and vegetables.  

If you are fortunate to have any left, it keeps for a few days in the refrigerator and can be reheated in microwave. But why would you have any left? 

Photo from Pinterest