Using yellow onions instead of sweet onions gives the dip a fuller, more complex onion flavor.

A little baking soda speeds up the browning and softening of the onions, while occasional splashes of water keeps the browned bits from burning.

Adding lemon juice brightens the rich base, while Worcestershire sauce and Parmesan add savory flavor.

Like the He-Man Christmas Special , French onion dip is one of those things that’s difficult to admit that you secretly really love. I mean, it’s essentially mayonnaise that’s designed specifically to make your breath smell really bad. On top of that, most commercial versions have a goopy texture and underlying backbone of dehydrated onion flavor that makes them quite hard to take seriously. Then again, who amongst you hasn’t dipped your way through a jar of it while watching reruns of Mr. Wizard’s World by yourself because your wife a) won’t watch them with you and b) has moderately sensitive olfactory sensory apparatus* that oddly prefers fresh air to onion breath?…