I rode the bike to church Sunday, and one of the first persons I ran into was my friend Loanna. She was looking all forlorn because she said she had brought me something and wasn’t sure I could carry it on the bike. I got all excited because Loanna is known for her absolutely fabulous caramel corn that she makes with corn puffs (the inspiration for my Chicago Style Cashew Crunch). Every once in a while, I’ll come in to the sanctuary on Sunday morning to find a surprise bag of it sitting on the piano. Score!
Well, imagine my surprise when she handed me a bag of onions instead! I wanted to say wait, that’s not caramel corn! But then she went on to explain that her daughter had been in town from Georgia and had brought them a huge bag of Vidalia onions. Then she had my attention; I love the sweetness of Vidalia onions. In fact, they are so sweet, that Loanna says she eats hers raw with just a little salt. I had an uncle once who used to eat them like apples. Now that’s sweet!
I prefer them cooked, myself. Now that it’s grilling season, I wrap them in foil, with some olive oil and salt, and place them on indirect heat for a good hour. When I open the packet, I’m met with a creamy soft, sweet-as-candy pile of onion-y goodness. Then they’re ready to serve as adornments for chicken, burgers, eggs, you name it. Heck, at that point, all I need is a spoon!
But this time, I decided to make a cheese spread with them. And since peaches are also in season (hey, another Georgia specialty!), it seemed like a great idea to combine them, along with smoky bacon and crunchy pecans. I do believe the state of Georgia would be proud. Thanks, Loanna!
Need help with peeling those peaches? This Zippy Tip video shows a good technique: How to Peel a Peach
- 4 slices bacon, cut into small pieces
- 1 large Vidalia onion, chopped
- 2 large peaches, peeled and diced
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 8 ounces reduced-fat cream cheese, softened
- 1½ cups shredded cheddar cheese
- ½ cup light mayonnaise
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 tablespoon poppy seed
- nonstick cooking spray
- ½ cup chopped pecans
- assorted crackers
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. In large skillet, cook bacon over medium-high heat for 5 minutes or until crisp. Remove from skillet and drain on paper towel. Put onion into skillet and sauté for 7-8 minutes, or until tender. Add peaches and salt and continue to sauté for 3-4 minutes longer. Remove from heat and set aside.
- In large bowl, combine cream cheese, cheddar cheese, mayonnaise, smoked paprika and poppy seed. Stir in bacon and onion/peach mixture. Spray a 1-quart baking dish with nonstick cooking spray. Spread cheese mixture into dish. Sprinkle pecans on top. Bake at 350 degrees F. for 25-30 minutes.
- Let rest 5 minutes before serving with crackers.
- Makes 3 cups
© 2013 Sherry Klinedinst
All rights reserved. Repost with permission only.
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Sherry, this sounds absolutely delicious! Thank you so much for joining us and sharing at Best of the Weekend! Pinning to our party board and hope your weekend is fantastic!
Thanks bunches for letting us share our recipes each week, Cindy!
This looks AMAZING and like something I am absolutely going to love. I cannot wait to try it! Thanks for sharing!
(Visiting from Strut Your Stuff Saturday)
Thank you, and thanks for stopping by!
OMGosh – I am completely intrigued!! This sounds so yummy!! Thanks for linking up and pinning!! xoxo
Thanks bunches for letting us share our recipes each week, Claire!
Sounds and looks delicious! Can’t wait to try it!! Pinned it! Thanks for sharing this with us at One Sharendipity Place this weekend!!
Krys @thet2women.com and http://www.worshipingwhilewaiting.blogspot.com
Thanks bunches for letting us share our recipes each week, Krystle!
Wow Jazzy this is so unique…I would have never thought of marrying the flavors of the peach with the vidalia on a dip. It’s like having a creamy cheesy salsa dip without the heat of the jalapennos and more of an earthy flavor with the smokiness of the paprika and crunchiness of the pecans! Brilliant! Pining of course..I really love it!
Hugs, Lizy
How incredibly kind of you Lizy. I think you would like it!
My dh is from GA and we love Vidalia onions. He of course is a peach lover as well but not a fan of cheese. I however love cheese. This is an interesting combo and I would give it a go. Thanks so much for sharing at my party Swap N Share Sunday.
Dawn
Spatulas On Parade
Thanks bunches for letting us share our recipes each week, Dawn!
This looks super delicious! Sadly, I’m spending the summer in Hawaii and we don’t have Vidalias here. We have Maui sweet onions, instead. They’re similar, but not quite the same. I’m sure it would work out, though!
Visiting from the Sweet and Savoury Sundays!
That is sad, but I’ll bet the Maui onions might make a decent substitute!
Different and interesting.
– The Tablescaper
Thanks bunches for letting us share our recipes each week!
I just bought some raspberry vidalia onion dressing & it is fabulous, so I bet this peach combo is great! Thanks for linking up to Sweet & Savory Saturdays #22
~Amber @ Dessert Now, Dinner Later!
http://www.dessertnowdinnerlater.com
Thanks bunches for letting us share our recipes each week, Amber!
I would love for you to share and link up at my weekly TGIF Link Party if you haven’t already this week. Your favorite posts, most popular, recent or new! The party is open every Thursday night and closes Tuesday’s at midnight. Followed by (Not SO) Wordless Wednesday! http://apeekintomyparadise.blogspot.com/.
I would be honored if you join us and follow to stay connected Have a wonderful week!
Hugs, Cathy
Thanks for the invite Cathy. I have linked up!
The sweet salty combination in this spread must taste great! Thanks for sharing at Simple Supper Tuesday.
Thanks bunches for letting us share our recipes each week, Cindy!
You are amazing!! It’s definitely must be an awesome gift to be able to take a bag of onions of all things and be able to come up with something so tempting that I’m just dying to try! One Sharendipity Place will be featuring your recipe this weekend!! 🙂 Have a great week!
Sue @ TheT2Women.com
Yay! Thanks Sue!
This looks like a nice change from the regular dips. Yum!
Thanks Nicole, it’s quite different!
Such an interesting combination… looks delicious! I just brought home a flat of peaches from Costco and will give this a try.
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(¸.•´ (¸.•`¤… Jennifer
Jenn’s Random Scraps
Great, let me know how it turns out Jennifer. I’m a new follower!
Wow this looks so interesting! I have pinned and added it to my “have to make” list! Thanks for sharing on Fluster Muster!
Wonderful. Let me know how it turns out Barbara!
This looks amazing!! I’ve been cooking with peaches a lot lately. Found you over at Whimsey Wednesday link up. I am co-hosting Tasty Tuesdays this week and would love for you to link up this recipe.
http://www.lorisculinarycreations.com/2013/07/TastyTuesdays1.html
Lori
Lori’s Culinary Creations
Will do. Thanks for the invite Lori. I am a new follower!
Oh, my goodness! This looks amazing! The flavor combination sounds out of this world. I am pinning to make one day. We would love for you to link this up at our All Things Thursday Blog Hop going on right now. Hope to see you there!
Blessings,
Nici
Thanks so much for the invite Nici. I will link up!
Oh, wow. This looks absolutely decadent. Such a creative combination, and I bet they all go together in such a divine way. Can’t wait for an excuse to make it. Just pinned to my “Yum: Snacks & Appetizers” Pinterest board.
Thanks Shana, I am a new follower!
Looks amazing and my boys love peaches! If you have time I hope you can link this to Family Fun Friday – pinning your recipe!
Monica
http://happyandblessedhome.com/category/family-fun/
Thanks Monica, I have linked up!
OH, WOW, what a great blend of flavors. I bet this is out of this world! I host a monthly spice themed party with a link party and spice giveaway and I’d love for you to stop by and link up and enter to win some yummy spices! You can link up here
http://www.4you-withlove.com/2013/07/party-thyme-beat-heat-link-party-and.html
Thanks again for the inspiration and have a wonderful weekend!
Thanks for the invite. I will link up!
This looks amazing!! I haev a whole bunch of fresh peaches so this goes on my list!! Found you over at Diana Rambles. I am co-hosting Tasty Tuesdays this week and would love for you to link up this recipe.
http://www.lorisculinarycreations.com/2013/07/TastyTuesdays1.html
Lori
Lori’s Culinary Creations
Thanks for the invite, Lori. I have linked up!
Hey there Sherry K – Sherry O here from Who Needs A Cape? I have to say, this sounds AMAZING. I’m a transplant from the North and appreciate oh-so-much all of these very Southern ingredients – especially the grilled vidalias! I cannot wait to grab me a bag of vidalias and peaches this weekend to try this one – it’s already pinned and ready. Thanks so much for sharing at Who Needs A Cape?’s Super Sunday Link Party. Be sure to stop back for more linky fun!
SherryO @ WhoNeedsACape.com
Not Your Average Super Moms …
Thanks for featuring my recipe, Sherry O! And thanks for hosting such a terrific party each week!
MMM, I love peaches!!!! Thanks for sharing with Foodie Friends Friday!!! 😀
Thanks Zannie, new Pinterest follower!
Hi Sherry,
We just love peaches and this is a great combination,it looks delicious. Thank you so much for sharing with Full Plate Thursday and have a great week!
Miz Helen
Thanks for hosting such a terrific party, Miz Helen!
Thanks so much for sharing at A Peek Into My Paradise TGIF Link Party! I can’t wait to see what you link up next week! I hope to see you at the (Not SO) Wordless Wednesday Blog Hop! http://apeekintomyparadise.blogspot.com/
Have a terrific week!
Hugs, Cathy
Hi Cathy, Thanks bunches for hosting!
I am intrigued but also a little unsure. Promise me that this is fantastic and I’ll make it for our next potluck!
Live dangerously, Diana, ha!
I’ve got my peaches and they are ripening up so I can make this. I featured you on my blog today!
Woo hoo, thanks so much for featuring my Hot Peach Vidalia Cheese Spread! Let me know how it goes over at your party. Have a great weekend!
Congratulations…this post was featured on Create It Thursday #13! Thanks so much for linking up such a great idea last week!
Cool! Thanks bunches for featuring my recipe and holding such a fun party!