Melty cheese and caramelized onion fondue dip

Wow guests with this fondue appetizer, which can easily be prepped ahead of time. Caramelized onions, nutty Gruyère, and creamy brie add layers of flavor.

I love this recipe for many reasons. It combines some of my favorite things (sweet caramelized onions and gooey cheese), it never fails to delight guests, and it can be elegant or rustic.

This is the kind of recipe that makes me feel like a much more put-together person than I am. I seems to me like the kind of thing you read about in a magazine food story, where the writer has shown up at some gorgeous farmhouse to write about the heirloom produce and the hosts casually bring this out with loaves of crusty bread just out of the wood-fired oven, like it's no big deal. It takes a little more effort for me to look that nonchalant. That being said, this dish is a little work for a lot of reward.

There is a lot of flavor packed into this little dish. Let the onions caramelize to a rich, deep, jammy spread. Nutty Gruyère and creamy brie make the cheese top layer multi-dimensional. I love the herbal tang of thyme, but marjoram is also a great complement.

Melty cheese and caramelized onion fondue dip
Serves 6

1 medium onion, finely chopped (to produce 2 cups)
1 tablespoon butter
1 tablespoon olive oil
1/4 cup white wine or vermouth [editor's note: may substitute cooking wine]
1/4 cup water
1 tablespoon light brown sugar
2 teaspoons chopped fresh thyme
4 ounces Gruyère
8 ounce round of brie
4 ounces cream cheese
2 tablespoons milk
2 tablespoons cornstarch
1 teaspoon chopped fresh thyme
Sliced baguette for serving

 1. Melt the butter and oil together in a sauté pan over medium heat. Add the onions and a generous pinch of salt and stir, cooking until they are soft and translucent. Add the white wine, stir, cover the pan and cook for a few minutes, until the wine has evaporated. Pour in the water, add the brown sugar and the thyme, stir well and cover. Cook for 5 to 10 minutes over medium-low until the onions are deep brown and jammy, stirring a few times to prevent scorching. You can add a little water if needed. Spread the onions evenly on the bottom of a small baking dish, about 6 inches in diameter and 2 inches deep.

2. Pulse the Gruyère in a food processor until it is in small crumbs. Scrape the rind from the brie, cut into chunks and add to the food processor with the cream cheese, milk, cornstarch and thyme. Process until you have a thick paste with a little chunky texture. Spread the cheese over the onions in the baking dish to cover evenly. You can now cover the dish and refrigerate for up to two days.

3. When ready to bake, preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. and bake until golden and bubbly and warm though, about 20 minutes. Let the dip rest for 5 minutes before serving.

Related post on The Runaway Spoon: Apple Gruyere Spread