Creamy Spinach and Artichoke Dip
(somewhat of a clone of Red Robin's dip)
Sunday's need to return to the day that I actually write in my blog. It's been almost a year and so much has changed. I moved into a new place, got promoted at my job, my boyfriend and I adopted/rescued a 2 year old Doberman named Luke to add to our crazy household (yes, we decided dogs are better than kids). And in general I have taken major strides in my adulthood. I bought a new truck the other week so now I REALLY feel like I'm an official adult. That being said I figured it was my responsibility to continue my blog. I've missed it, I feel like writing every week and pushing myself to create new things in the kitchen. I feel like I haven't been quite as creative as I could be.
Now who doesn't love a good spin-dip? If you don't well, I guess this entry might not be for you, luckily there's a few other entries on this blog you might be interested in! Shall we get started with this yummy dip? Here's what you'll need!
10-oz box of Frozen Chopped Spinach
1 cup artichoke hearts (canned works just fine)
1/4 cup diced white onion
8 oz softened cream cheese
1/2 cup shredded Parmesan cheese
3/4 cup half-and-half cream
about 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
Bacon Bits or Crumbled Bacon strips, really as much as you want!!
It's fairly straight forward. Drain the spinach and get a lot of the excess water. You can chop up the Artichoke hearts into some friendly bite-sized pieces. Throw those along with the white onion in a microwave safe bowl and cover it with plastic wrap. Cut a slit so some steam can escape and pop that in the microwave for about 4 minutes.
While you have that in the microwave for those 4 minutes go a head and grab some of the other ingredients to get the cheese sauce part of the recipe going!
Take the Parmesan cheese, half-and-half cream, and the softened cream cheese put them in a medium sized sauce pan. Heat that on a medium/medium-low heat and stir pretty consistently to get the cream cheese and Parmesan cheese to melt and combine with the cream.
Once those ingredients start to melt and combine add in the garlic powder and salt.
Reduce the heat to a low setting once the sauce is smooth and add in the steamed veggies (spinach, artichokes, and white onion). Cook that for about 10 minutes, again stirring occasionally.
The smell might make you want to just start eating it right out of the pan. Trust me I know I did! But hold off for a few minutes and add in those bacon bits and possibly a little extra Parmesan cheese!!
Stir it up again and get your serving bowl ready along with either Tortilla chips or Pita chips, Pita bread, fresh veggies anything you would like!!
Yup, it's pretty delicious looking!
Ta-da!!! The finished product.
Eat it up, share it with your friends, roommates, what ever you decide!
Thanks for stopping by and I'll be working on concocting some new recipes in the coming weeks! I gotta get my creative juices flowing again in this ridiculous Arizona summer heat!!
Most of my cooking will most likely be accompanied by a cocktail or two to help keep me cool!
Til Next Time!!
