Warm Spinach-Sweet Onion Dip with Country Ham

Active Time: 25 MinsTotal Time50 Mins
Yield: Serves 10

Great for outdoor tailgates, this creamy dip can be prepared in advance and reheated on the grill in a skillet. Place the skillet over indirect heat to avoid burning the edges.

Ingredients

  • 3 tablespoons olive oil, divided
  • 3 cups thinly sliced sweet onion(from 2 medium onions)
  • 1garlic clove, minced (about 1 tsp.)
  • 1 cup diced country ham (about 6 oz.)
  • 2(8-oz.) pkg. cream cheese, softened
  • 8 ounces mozzarella cheese, shredded (about 2 cups)
  • 4 ounces Parmesan cheese, shredded (about 1 cup)
  • 1(1-lb.) pkg. frozen chopped spinach, thawed and well drained
  • Pita chips or toasted French bread slices

How to Make It

Step 1

Heat 2 tablespoons of the oil in a 10-inch cast-iron skillet over medium. Add onions, and cook, stirring often, until golden brown, about 20 minutes. Stir in garlic, and cook, stirring often, 1 minute. Transfer onion mixture to a medium bowl, and wipe skillet clean.

Step 2

Heat remaining 1 tablespoon oil in skillet over medium-high. Add ham, and cook, stirring often, until crisp, about 5 minutes. Remove ham from skillet, and drain on paper towels.

Step 3

Add cream cheese, mozzarella, Parmesan, spinach, and ham to onion mixture in bowl, and stir until blended. Spoon mixture into cast-iron skillet. Cover and chill until ready to transport to tailgate. (Recipe can be made up to 1 day ahead. Be sure skillet cools completely before returning dip to skillet.) Transport to tailgate in a cooler.

Step 4

Light 1 side of grill, heating to medium (350°F to 400°F), and leave other side unlit. Uncover skillet; place over unlit side of grill, and heat, covered with grill lid, stirring every 5 minutes, until cheese is melted and smooth, about 20 minutes. Serve with pita chips or toasted French bread slices.

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