caramelized onion lentil dip

I have no idea what was going on with my inner carnivore last weekend, but I found myself consuming alarming amounts of lamb, sausage and meatloaf in a very short period of time. With my incisors now retracted, I have come to my senses. Now it is a mostly vegetarian diet that I seek.

This recipe had been sitting in my office for weeks, patiently waiting to be attempted. It came from a January Vancouver Sun article in which Mia Stainsby wrote about the local underground restaurant scene. One of the haunts that she covered is a vegan themed affair, situated in a private house ’somewhere in East Van’. The Secret Supper takes bookings on Sunday nights, divided into an early and later seating. And the menu prices are reasonable- just $20 for a 3 course meal.

This lentil dip is dead easy to make. If you can fry an onion and operate a food processor and a can opener, then you definitely have what it takes to make what I feel is one of the best dips ever. With the ‘cheesy’ flavour provided by the nutritional yeast and the sweet zing from the balsamic vinegar…. it is now my official favourite meat-eater-redeeming recipe. I suggest trying it warm, as the flavours become even more pronounced.

Caramelized Onion Lentil Dip
(Makes about 2 ½ cups)

1 onion, medium dice
1 T extra virgin olive oil
½ t salt
½ t chili powder
½ t cumin powder
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 t balsamic vinegar

Bring a frying pan to medium heat. Add olive oil and wait one minute. Add onions + salt and sauté, stirring occasionally until they are translucent and lightly browned. Add the garlic, cumin and chili powder. Fry for one minute. Add the vinegar and cook for 2 more minutes. Remove pan from the heat.

In a food processor add:

2 ½ c (1 can) cooked lentils, drained and rinsed
2 T tahini
1 T nutritional yeast
1 ½ t balsamic vinegar
juice of ½ lemon
¼ t fresh ground pepper
caramelized onions (above recipe)

Blend in food processor for 1 minute. Stop machine to scrap down the inside with a rubber spatula. Continue to blend for 2 more minutes, until dip is smooth and creamy. Serve with your favourite bread or crackers.