Warm Spinach-Sweet Onion Dip with Country Ham Recipe

Ingredients

• 3 tablespoons olive oil, divided
• 3 cups thinly sliced sweet onion (from 2 medium onions)
• 1 garlic 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

Description

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.

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.

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.

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.