2 cups diced yellow onion
1/2 lb bacon
8 ounces cream cheese
1/2 cup sour cream
1 1/4 cups Gruyere or Swiss cheese, grated
1/4 tsp dried thyme
1/2 tsp red pepper flakes
1/2 cup finely diced chives1 1/2 cup canned Crispy Fried Onions, chopped
Cut raw bacon into chunks and fry up in a pan over medium-high heat until thoroughly cooked. Once cooked, remove from heat and drain grease. Allow the bacon to cool on a paper towel; set aside. Using the same frying pan heat 1-2 tablespoons of olive oil over medium-high heat, then add onion and season with salt and pepper. Cook over heat, stirring occasionally, until caramelized, about 15-20 minutes. Remove from heat and cool. Finely chop cooled bacon and add to a large mixing bowl. Add cream cheese, sour cream, Gruyère, thyme and red pepper flakes, Beat until well combined. Stir in cooled onions, until completely mixed in. Form the cheese mixture into a ball and wrap in plastic wrap to chill for at least 1 hour. In a small bowl, combine chives and crispy fried onions, toss to combine. When ready to serve, roll cheese ball in fried onion and chive mixture. Serve with crackers or bagel chips.
