Caramelized Onion and Sour Cream Spread

This is the gourmet version of the old onion soup mix and sour cream dip.

• Ready In: 40 mins
• Serves: 8

Ingredients

• 3  tablespoons olive oil
• 1⁄3 cup olive oil
• 1  large red onion, thinly sliced
• 1  large red bell pepper, thinly sliced
• 1⁄2 fennel bulb, cored,thinly sliced
• 2  teaspoons  herbes de provence
• 1  teaspoon sugar
• 8  cloves garlic, finely chopped
• 1⁄3 cup sour cream
• 1  tablespoon  drained capers
• 18  slices  olive bread (4x1 1/2x1/4-inch each)

Directions

1. Heat 3 tablespoons oil in heavy large skillet over medium heat.
2. Add onion and next 4 ingredients.
3. Cover; cook until vegetables release their juices, stirring occasionally, about 12 minutes.
4. Uncover; sauté until juices evaporate, about 10 minutes.
5. Add garlic; cook until vegetables are very tender and just beginning to brown, about 12 minutes longer.
6. Cool completely.
7. Puree vegetable mixture and sour cream in processor until almost smooth.
8. Season generously with salt and pepper.
9. Transfer to bowl.
10. Sprinkle with capers.
11. Preheat broiler.
12. Arrange bread slices on baking sheet.
13. Brush both sides of bread slices with 1/3 cup oil.
14. Toast about 2 minutes per side.
15. Cool.
16. Serve with spread.
17. A combination of dried thyme, basil, savory and fennel seeds can be substituted for herbes de Provence.