D.I.Y.: SUPERBOWL ANIMAL STYLE DIP

It’s Super Bowl Sunday! I’m sure you’ve got all the wings, chips, and light beer you can handle, but just in case you’re not at your snack capacity just yet, here’s a pretty simple dip recipe for a faux-Animal Style dip (à la In N Out). If you’ve got everything you need for a barbecue (because when isn’t it BBQ weather in LA?), you’ve got everything you need for this dip. This is definitely not healthy, but if you call yourself an Angelino, or even a red-blooded American, you should already be gathering ingredients. At least it’s vegetarian.

MATERIALS/INGREDIENTS:
-8 slices of American cheese (for authenticity)
-10 or so dill pickle chips
-5 tablespoons + 1 teaspoon mayonnaise; 2 Tablespoons ketchup; 2 teaspoons sweet pickle relish
(or make it easier on yourself and substitute for about 8 tablespoons of 1000 Island Dressing if you have it, because that’s basically all ‘spread’ is)
-1 good sized onion + a little oil to cook it + a pinch of salt + water

-mini crock pot
-pan
-your chip of choice (or fries or crackers)

STEPS:

1. Finely dice the onion. Oil your pan, and start to caramelize onions over medium heat. This will take forever, but its worth it. Keep heat on low when the onions start to brown, and occasionally add a few tablespoons of water to help the onions caramelize. The water periodically cools down the onions so they don’t burn, so they can keep cooking down to a brown, gooey, sweet mess.

2. Around the same time, dice your pickle chips and put them in the bottom of your crock pot, adding the 8 slices of cheese on top. This should keep the cheese from burning on the bottom. Lid it, and let your crock pot melt that cheese. (If you don’t have a crock pot, you should get one. Otherwise, you can do this in an over set to 350F, or a microwave if you’re desperate. Microwave in 30 second bursts and stir between blasts so it doesn’t burn.)

3. Mix together your spread. If you already have 1000 Island dressing, this step is already done.

4. Chances are, your onions will be done the same time as your cheese is melted. Add onions and the spread to the crock pot/dip vessel. Mix it all together and it’s ready to serve.

5. Dip. Enjoy.