French onion dip and potato chips make me nostalgic for camping with friends and family when I was younger. My mom would never buy the stuff unless we were heading out to spend a few days in a tent at Snake River or in a yurt in Bend. I know, I was a deprived child.

We had a big Mother’s Day barbecue at my parents’ house and the oh-so-rare hot weather made me think of this creamy, oniony deliciousness, so I decided to whip up a homemade version! Because garsh darn it, this stuff is amazing.

It starts with a chopped onion and a half into a skillet with lots o’ butter and olive oil.

Then just let them sit over medium heat for about 20 minutes, stirring every now and then, until they’re perfectly brown and caramely. Then add some water, beer, beef bouillon, garlic, Worcestershire sauce, and pepper. Let the beer cook off a bit…

Then whip together sour cream and mayo and add the onion mixture, and voila! You have homemade French onion dip. Which might be the best thing I’ve ever tasted.

French Onion Dip

Makes 2 1/2 Cups
Adapted from Susi’s Kochen Und Backen Adventures


Ingredients
1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
1 tablespoon butter
1 1/2 medium onions, diced
1/2 tsp minced garlic
1 cubes beef bouillon
1/4 cup water

1/4 cup beer (or additional water; I used Deschutes Red Chair NWPA)
1/2 tsp black pepper
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce

2 cups sour cream
1/2 cup mayonnaise 
Salt to taste


Directions
1. Add the olive oil and butter to a wide skillet over medium heat and cook until the butter melts. Add the onions and continue to cook over medium heat until the onions brown and caramelize, about twenty minutes.
2. When the onions are caramelized, add the garlic, bouillon, water, beer, pepper, and Worcestershire sauce. Let cook down for about ten minutes, or until liquid has thickened.
3. While the onion mixture is cooking down, combine the sour cream and mayonnaise in a bowl. When the onions are done, add them to the sour cream mixture and stir until well combined. 
4. Taste and add salt a pinch at a time until flavor is right. Serve with potato chips and sliced veggies.