Holiday Entertaining goes to Entry #101! Mellisa, please send me your mailing address so we can send the book to you with enough time to make use of it for the holidays! Everyone else, as always, thanks so much for playing, and it always an honor to have you stop by The Delicious Life! Stay tuned…
This Book Makes Me “Hef”
Holiday Entertaining is much bigger than the usual 8-inch-ish square Williams-Sonoma cookbooks that come in every one-word flavor imaginable from “American” (written by Rick Rodgers of previous cookbook giveaway!) to “Seafood,” but though it’s not quite big enough to be a coffee table like some other books we know, Holiday Entertaining from Williams-Sonoma is one of those we categorize as “coffee table books.”
Because it’s gorgeous.
I have no idea what the publishers were thinking when they chose the cover image. Perhaps chocolate + “snow” + little red berries = quintesessential holiday? It’s a literal case of “don’t judge a book by its cover” because the Rich Chocolate Brownie Cake on the front does no justice whatsoever to the full-page photos inside that bleed to the edge and make you wonder why you feel this way looking at a picture of seared scallops. It’s food p0rn.
But not the raw, spread-turkey in-your-face Hustler kind.
This is classy.
Of course, the book isn’t just beauty. There are brains there, too, in the form of real, useful recipes, one of which I included below. I think I may have chosen the Caramelized Onion and Sour Cream Dip simply because it uses fresh thyme, with which I currently have an unhealthy obsession). Even more useful, I think, are the tips and ideas that might inspire you as you think about your own Holiday entertaining plans. (Sorry, didn’t to sound so “marketing-y” there.)
I’d keep the book myself but I told the PR firm I’d give it away, so I did.
Caramelized Onion and Sour Cream Dip Recipe
from Williams-Sonoma’s Holiday Entertaining
serves 8
Dip Ingredients:
1 pound yellow onions (this is about 2 medium onions)
3 tablespoons unsalted butter
3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon freshly ground pepper
2 cups low fat sour cream
2 teaspoons minced fresh thyme
1 teaspoon white balsamic vinegar
Dip Directions:
Using a mandoline or a large, sharp chef’s knife, cut the onions into slices about 1/8 inch thick. Cut the slices in half.
In a saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter with the olive oil. Add the onions and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Stir, then reduce the heat to low and cook, uncovered, stirring occasionally, until the onions are deep golden brown, about 20 minutes. Let cool to room temperature. (The onions can be cooked up to 2 days ahead, covered, and refrigerated.)
When the onions are cool, transfer to a blender or foor processor. Add 1 cup of the sour cream, the thyme, and the vinegar and process to a coarse puree. Transfer to a bowl and stir in the remaining 1 cup sour cream. (The dip can be covered and refrigerated for up to 8 ours before serving.)
Transfer to a serving bowl and serve at room temperature.
{ 139 comments… read them below or add one }
My favorite dip is french onion. creamy, classic, savory, delicious!
I love spinach and artichoke dip. :)
My favorite dip: good ol’ 7-layer dip :-)
My favorite dip is hot artichoke dip! YUM! Thank you for the great giveaway!
Spinach/artichoke!
Artichoke dip, because artichokes are delicious in any form.
I’m a huge fan of the Williams-Sonoma breakfast and brunch book and would love to try this new one.
My favorite dip is salsa from Papalote.
i love spinach dip.
french onion dip :)
I love hummus. It is so delicious plain or jazzed up!
Smoked salmon dip!
I love hummus :) So much so I’ve mastered my own Sun Dried Tomato Hummus… it is Yummus.
http://hisbirdiesnest.blogspot.com/2009/10/hummus-is-yummus-sun-dried-tomato.html
avocado aioli is awesome for tortilla chips and fries!
Blue cheese dip. With fresh veggies. Yum. Yum.
That spinach dip that comes in the center of a hollowed out loaf of pumpernickel bread.
Hot Crab dip.
my favorite dip is a cold and creamy spinach and leek dip!
my favorite dip is from The Barefoot Contessa, her Sun-dried Tomato Dip, delicious!
my favorite dip is queso because Texas is apparently rubbing off on me…
My moms spinach dip with organic full fat sour cream!
Actually… crab dip.. yes..
My favorite is onion soup dip, but the carmelized onion that was in your headline sounds like it might even be better!
My absolute favorite is spinach artichoke dip!
Cheddar cheese crab dip – served warm.
My favorite dip, no matter how bad for me it is, is hot baked spinach artichoke dip. I prefer to make it without mayonnaise, because the idea of baking mayonnaise just weirds me out, but yeah, that’s my favorite.
my favorite dip is the spiciest galicy salsa my sister makes. it rocks!!!
Favorite dip = my homemade guacamole! Tons of lime & pinch(es) of sea salt FTW!
spinach artichoke dip. :)
I’m always trying to find a great menu for the holiday and what’s not to love about caramelized onion and sour cream? yumm…..
As unhealthy as it is, my favourite dip is a cheese dip! All you need is onion, cheese (cheddar, monteray jack, etc) plus mayo!
anything cheesy, buttery, creamy…. mmmmm!
You can never go wrong with Spinach and Artichoke Dip. I actually highly recommend the one in Ellie Krieger’s cookbook – delicious!
I love my Black Bean Salsa – a dip for Scoops!
My favorite dip has got to be my stepdad’s homemade guacamole. I have no idea how he seasons it, but it is delicious!
spinach and artichoke, deadly but so good
I love spinach and artichoke dip…nice and warm with lots of pepper jack and parmesan cheese. That’s my favorite! (and no one makes it better than my mom!)
I love Spinach and Artichoke Dip and Guacamole.
i am beginning to sense a common theme here with spinach and artichokes….
My favorite dip is my own super-flavorful and heart-healthy version of guacamole with homemade pita chips.
Gotta repeat it- Spinach and Artichoke Dip!
Cream cheese with pesto and oil-packed sun-dried tomatoes. Spread on a Town House cracker. Yum!
spinachhhhhhhhhhhh! hot or cold. mmmm.
although thanks to a handful of you, i plan to spend the next 15 minutes looking for crab dip recipes !
in a word (or in a syllable), guac!
SPINACH AND ARTICHOKE. Oh my gosh. The one dip that I miss more than anything since I became lactose intolerant is that! I have yet to find a good lactose free version of it but gosh. It’s so, so, SO good.
Green Chile Cheese!
My favorite dip is mine and my mom’s homemade cheese and apricot spread (made with cream cheese, Monterey jack cheese, apricots, and golden raisins) that we dip with apple and pear slices, and crackers of course!
cheese dips win hands down! :)
My favorite dip is spinach-artichoke dip or Rueben dip – it’s a tough call!
Chocolate Fondue!
Mentioned in the tweet, but my favorite dip is a spicy homemade crab dip that includes a healthy amount of vibrant Sriracha. Num.
OH! tied between french onion dip and guacamole
RT @TheDelicious Another Quick #HolidayGiftaway: http://is.gd/5h91j My favorite dip is Sundried Tomato Hummus”
My favorite dip is Buffalo Chicken Dip. It’s the best with Scoops Chips.
My favorite dip is that 7-layer monstrosity. I could eat my weight in that!
My favorite dip is the Barefoot Contessa’s onion dip. So creamy and delicious – after my party guests go home, I plop down on the couch with the bowl and a spoon and devour whatever people have been stupid enough to leave behind. :)
my favorite dip is the dill dip from la bou!
I love bruschetta with cannellini beans! Or tofu mixed with roasted veggies and herbs/spices and a touch of olive oil.
My favorite dip or spread, might be my Hot Broccoli Dip! YUM!
vegetable dip!!!
Spinach & Artichoke Dip – hands down.
my friend makes a great baked artichoke dip. I sure do miss it!
I am ALL about spinach artichoke dip.
My favourite dip is hummus
I love Spinach And Artichoke Dip it is absolutely wonderful and I could literally just eat it as a meal!
Cold spinach dip inside a hollowed out giant Hawaiian bread roll. It’s the best!!!!
Can’t beat baba ghanoush. haha.
I love to dip. My favorite is buffalo chicken dip with chips or celery. I also love Harry and David pepper dip made with cream cheese.
Definitely spinach and artichoke dip :]
by far, just plain goat cheese slightly warmed.
Our favorite dip is our home-made spinach dip! Yum. (:
I love spinach dip!
Yum!
hummus
I love guacamole!
Probably hummus with some kick to keep me on my toes, or the classic seven layer dip with jalapenos all over the place
My favorite dip is definitely hummus (especially with roasted red peppers!)
I love Hummus, Lebanese style. It’s so delicious, I typically like to eat it by the spoonfuls. It’s also very good for ya!
Thanks ^~^
My favorite dip is spinach, cheese, and crab!
current fave is buffalo chicken dip
Definitely homemade spinach and artichoke dip with toasted pita rounds!
Add another vote for spinach-artichoke!
Definitely hummus, the creamier/smoother the better!
Spinach and artichoke dip!
My favorite has to be htipiti
Spinach artichoke dip – could never get tired of it (at least not until my pants stopped fitting, but i think it’d be worth the switch to pants with an elastic waistband to keep having more :)
My favorite dip is my mom’s guacamole. Or homemade applesauce when you have pork chops to dip!
Its definitely a toss up! French onion/cream cheese and crab
White bean dip. Mmmm. Creamy and delicious, but everyone’s always surprised how low in fat it is! (Minus, I guess, the olive oil … but that’s the good kind, right?)
I love crab dip with cream cheese and lots of Old Bay!
I love any types of Turkish/Mediterrian dips and hummus would be my pick. Delish with some turkish flat breads!
Port wine dip!
After scrolling through the above entries I still stand by hummus.
i like dipping bread into a really good extra virgin olive oil and then some dukka. if that doesn’t count as a “spread”, then i’d say roasted eggplant dip with pomegrante seeds
Hot Crab Spread is how I roll.
My favourite dip? Has be be spicy salsa! The spicier, the better! Yum!
Green Goddess Dip (it gets me every time!)
2 cups mayonnaise
6 anchovy fillets, minced
1/2 cup sour cream
2 tablespoons tarragon vinegar
2 tablespoons chopped green onion
2 tablespoons chopped fresh tarragon (or 1 T dried)
2 tablespoons chopped fresh chives (or 1 T dried)
3/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper
Place all ingredients in a small bowl and mix well, or better yet, pulse briefly in a food processor or blender.
Cover and refrigerate to chill the dip thoroughly and to allow the flavors to blend. This recipe can be prepared up to 2 days ahead.
Serve with cooked artichoke leaves and other vegetable dippers, and assorted crackers and toasts.
This makes about 3 cups.
YUM!
Guacamole with South African avocados but American chips.
Hard to choose, but I’m going to have to say spinach dip – so good!
Chipotle Hummus!
My favorite dip is the hummus I make and serve with crispy wonton crackers.
My fave dip is three cheese artichoke dip.
Oh I just spent oodles of time lusting over this book at the local bookstore! I would love to win it!
My favorite dip is spinach artichoke dip, served with potato chips, tortilla chips, or pieces of fresh bread!
I make a yummy rosemary lemon canellini bean dip that is a great hummus swap and delicious with pita chips!
My favourite dip is definitely hummus! It’s diverse, tasty, and healthy!
I think I could love almost any dip made with GREEK YOGURT. My gosh, I feel like I’ve been waiting all my life for this stuff to come out!
I want to rush out and buy some blue cheese or onion soup mix to see if it is as tasty as I think it might be. Of course, I’m not allowed to eat anything that it might go on…. soooooooo……
hummus and spinach dip
creamy, garlicky, cuminy hummus ^^
Hummus
I really love a basic guacamole…. avocado, tomato, red onion, lime juice and salt, done up chunky-style. It is so basic, healthy, and delicious.
spinach artichoke dip. nom nom nom
hot crab spread is absolutely D*E*L*I*C*I*O*U*S
My favorite dip is hummus! YUM!
yummmmmmm
Mmmm, it’s got to be muhammara for me! :)
Mexican 7 layer dip! YUM!
I love caramelized onions, and love sour cream…so I HAVE to try this recipe! Thanks for sharing!
Garlic and spinach dip. Or really warm cheesy crab dip.
My favorite dip is this one my father in law makes. I’m not even if it has a name, but it has chili (with and without beans), cream cheese and A LOT of cheese. Baked.
Since I was in Greece, I love TZATZIKI !
spinach artichoke dip
Hummus. I make my own, and love it in any flavor. Last night I made dill and killed my food processor…
Would have to go with any form of blue cheese dip or Taramosalata as Gemma’s Greece entry made me think about…
so many good dips
hot spinach artichoke dip
guac w/chunky avocado, pepper, lime, salt, w/or w/o tomatoes
spicy salsa
hummus dip
black bean dip
Thanks all for playing along! The giveaway entry period is over, but please do continue to comment with your favorite dip. After all the comments today, I am now fascinated by what is popular :)
My favorite dip is this mushroom in orange creme that I make. It is rich, sweet, unique and can be adapted to a low fat version for the vain :)
Sharmishtha: “for the vain” is the BEST thing i’ve read all day. granted, it’s only four hours into the day (4 am here in Cali), but still, so funny because it’s so true.
I love salmon dip.
I love adding scallions and seasonings to cream cheese. Add avocado and you have a great TexMex spread.
Easy: guacamole.
I love Skordalia, which is a Greek cold garlic potato dip. And when I saw garlic, I mean like equal parta garlic and potato!!! Okay, maybe not, but darn near close to it!
I think cold spinach dip with bread and veggies is my favorite. The crunch of the water chestnuts makes it the perfect treat!
i love a classic chickpea/tahini hummus… though i’m also open to variation: white bean/garlic, sundried tomato/basil, feta/herb… yum!
Swiss cheese bacon dip ( it is a recipe adapted from Rachael Ray).
My husband’s gall bladder problems make dip a thing of the past for us. A guilty pleasure I enjoy only on the rare occasion we are invited to a pot luck or smorgasboard.
You all are making me drool with your recipes and ideas!
hope its not too late – love your blog! gotta go w/ old fashioned onion dip made w/ Nancy’s organic sour cream.
I love taco dip!
spinach dip in a pumpernickel loaf!
spinach-artichoke
Artichoke dip is my favorite one.
Creamy cucumber dinner, as cool and refreshing as breeze in the summertime!
Wow, thank you so much!! I can’t wait to try out the recipes :)