CARAMELIZED ONION AND WHITE CHEDDAR DIP WITH APPLES AND DARK BREAD

Caramelized Onion and White Cheddar Dip with Apples and Dark Bread image

Provided by Rachael Ray : Food Network

Time 35m

Yield 8 servings

Number Of Ingredients 14

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4 tablespoons butter
2 large onions, finely chopped
1 bay leaf, fresh or dried
1 teaspoon dried thyme or poultry seasoning
Salt and pepper
3 green apples
1/2 lemon, juiced
1 small, round loaf crusty pumpernickel bread, cut into bite-size cubes, 1 pound
3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
2/3 cup dry white wine
2 cups half-and-half
1/2 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
A pinch or 2 of ground cloves
2 1/2 cups shredded sharp white Cheddar

Steps:

Heat a heavy bottomed medium pot or deep skillet over medium heat. Melt butter in pot and add onions, raising heat slightly. Add bay, thyme, salt and pepper to onions and cook, stirring occasionally, until onions are soft and caramel in color, 20 minutes.
While onions cook, slice apples and douse with a little lemon juice to slow browning. Arrange the apples and bread on a board or platter.
When onions are soft and sweet, add flour and cook a minute. Whisk in wine, cook a minute then whisk in half-and-half. When the liquid comes up to a bubble, season with nutmeg and cloves and adjust salt and pepper, to taste. Stir in Cheddar and melt then remove from heat and serve in fondue pot or transfer to a small, warmed sauce pot which you can return to the stove top to reheat sauce as necessary. Dip apples and bread in warm cheesy sauce and enjoy.