There is a difference between caramelized onions and oven roasted onions. Don’t get me wrong I love caramelized onions. A labor of love and always worth it. But roasted onions are their own thing. They are sweet but smoky. They keep some of that bright onion bite. Sometimes charred a bit on the ends. They are just good.

And, frankly, they are easier. I mean, just throw them in the oven for a while and walk away. Caramelized onions require babysitting a pan on the stove top. Oven roasted well, not so much. In fact, they actually give you time. Time to read a book. clean up the hall closet or do a load of laundry kind of time.

What I like about this sweet onion dip is that it is so easy. Throw the veg in the oven with salt, pepper and olive oil and then walk away for a while. When they are done a little chopping and a little sour cream is all you need to make this spread. Choose a sweet onion for this recipe, like a Vidalia or a Walla Walla. Red onions will work too.

I prefer to make this ahead of time. At the least plan to have the dip in the fridge for an hour or two before serving. I’ve made it a day ahead and the flavors blend together best. Just be sure to let the dip warm a bit to room temperature before you serve it. Don’t serve it straight out and chilled from the fridge.

I like to serve this spread with toasted baguette slices and vegetables sticks. For a gluten-free option, sesame crackers and corn tortilla chips are really good too.

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Roasted Sweet Onion Dip

Ingredients

2-3 large sweet onions peeled and quartered
1 Tablespoon olive oil
1 whole head of garlic
1/2 teaspoon of salt
1/3 cup sour cream vegan sour cream works too
1/4 chopped fresh parsley
1 Tablespoon lemon juice
additional salt to taste
fresh cracked black pepper if desired

Instructions

Preheat oven to 425.
In a large bowl, add onion quarters and toss with olive oil and 1/2 teaspoon of salt. Spread onions on a large baking sheet.
Remove the papery skin from the garlic but do not peal or separate the close. Slice off the very tip of the garlic head (so that the cloves are exposed.) Rub a little bit of oil, from the bowl the onions were tossed in on the exposed tops of the garlic cloves. Wrap the garlic head in foil and place on baking sheet with the onions. Bake at 425 for 1 hour.
Remove from the oven and allow onions to cool enough so you can handle them - at least 10 minutes. Chop the onion and place in a medium bowl.
Remove the foil from the garlic head and squeeze the soft garlic into the bowl with the chopped onions. Discard the skins.
Add sour cream, parsley, lemon juice and additional salt and pepper with the onions and garlic. Stir to mix. Cover and chill for 1 hour.
Serve at room temp.