Ahhh, football!  Can't you smell it?  The Badgers play on Saturday and the Pack on Sunday - it will be a colorful, happy weekend at our house.  Because where football leads, dips will most always follow.

Hallelujah.

I don’t think I’ve ever – EVER – met a dip that I didn’t like, and as far as I’m concerned there’s no more perfect gameday menu than about four or five dips and an assortment of chips. And I think it goes without saying that at least one of those bag-o-chips needs to be Fritos.

I adore a Frito.

So in the spirit of fall and football season and fun times with family and friends, here are a few dips that I love to make for gamedays.

Caramelized Onion Dip
from Come On In

1 tablespoon REAL butter
1 tablespoon canola oil
1 large red onion, quartered, very thinly sliced
1/2 cup sour cream
1/2 cup REAL mayonnaise
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1 teaspoon red pepper flakes
1/8 teaspoon Tabasco sauce

Saute’ onion in butter and oil until caramelized (takes about 15-20 minutes). Cool and combine with remaining ingredients. Mix well and chill for at least 1 hour. Serve with chips or crackers – or both if you’re feeling crazy. Serves 6.

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Asian Style Dip
from Epicurious

1/2 cup mayonnaise
1/4 cup sour cream
2 tablespoons soy sauce
1/2 tablespoon dried basil
1 tablespoon sesame oil
1 tablespooon toasted sesame seeds
1 tablespoon rice vinegar
1/4 teaspoon dried ginger
1 teaspoon sugar
1/2 teaspoon dry mustard
1/8 teaspoon ground red pepper

Combine first 11 ingredients in a small bowl; whisk to blend.

Cover and refrigerate. Serve with assorted cut-up vegetables (carrots, red bell peppers, sugar snap peas, cucumber, broccoli – whatever you like). Serves 6.

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Crab Dip

1 lb imitation crab
2 8oz cream cheese
1 8oz sour cream
1 tsp of U-Bake dry mustard
2 Tbs mayonaise
1 tsp lemon juice
2 tsp Worcestershire sauce
1/2 cup grated cheddar cheese

Mix cream cheese and sour cream until smooth. Add 1/2 of the grated cheese (1/4 cup), dry mustard, mayo, lemon juice, and worcestershire sauce. Mix well. Flake crab into small chunks as you add the crab. Put remaining cheese on top. Bake at 350 degrees uncovered for 35-45 minutes. Serve with crackers.