Blue Cheese and Carmelized Shallot Dip

Today was an absolutely glorious weather day.  Crisp, cool and sunny.  I decided it would be a great day for my husband and I to get out of the house and enjoy some great outdoors.  We ventured out towards Rocky Mountain National Park to a charming little town called Allenspark. 

We came upon this amazing stream that had incredible little falls.  Being a Pisces, I can never get enough water.   It was really fun hiking around the creek.

As this is the final dip in "Dips, Dinners and Desserts", I have saved the best for last.  I so love this dip that our family turned me on to.  I could eat it by the spoonful!

Blue Cheese and Carmelized Shallot Dip
Courtesy of Epicurious

1 Tablespoon vegetable oil
1-1/4 cups thinly sliced shallots (3-4 medium sized shallots)
3/4 cup mayonnaise
3/4 cup sour cream
4 ounces crumbled blue cheese, room temperature

Heat oil in heavy medium saute pan over medium-low heat.  Add shallots.

Cover and cook until shallots are deep golden brown, stirring occasionally, about 20 minutes. Cool.

Whisk together mayonnaise and sour cream in medium bowl to blend. Add blue cheese.

Using rubber spatula, mash mixture until smooth.  (I used my emersion blender) Stir in caramelized shallots.  Season dip to taste with salt and pepper.  Cover dip and refrigerate until flavors blend, at least 2 hours.

(Can be made 2 days ahead.  Keep refrigerated.)  Serve dip chilled with cut vegetables or kettle potato chips.

One Year Ago:  Sour Cream and Chicken Enchiladas

Seafood and Waterfalls

I decided when I found out we were coming to the islands for our vacation that since we were staying in a condo and eating most meals in that we would treat ourselves to a wonderful tropical dinner for our first night and last night here.

Our first night here we enjoyed an "appetizer" dinner at Tommy Bahamas.  Truly the best of island cuisine. You can't go wrong with their menu for a wonderful tropical experience.

Tommy Bahama's Famous Coconut Shrimp

Their amazing blue crab cakes with chili sauce.

Creamy crab bisque that will amaze.

The next day we went to the other side of the island for waterfall hikes and tours. We started with the Akaka Falls Park and hike in the rain forrest and then headed 30 minutes south to Hilo and the Rainbow Falls Park.

At Akaka Falls we had a really fun and sunny tailgating lunch with some of our rations that we picked up at Costco when we arrived.

After a long hot afternoon we of course had to stop at Komet Kones for a blended ice cream treat for the ride back to Kohala.

Akaka Falls

Hiking through the rain forest.

Rainbow Falls

In the spirit of our seafood fest we made lobster ravioli that we picked up in town....delish!!