LAURA LEE ALICE
COOKS
®
The first time I had Spinach Artichoke Dip was at a Christmas party a zillion years ago. It was so good and hard to believe that it was homemade. This recipe is the closest to that dish and it is simple, easy to make, and delicious. I like dips that have substance to them and so I cut the artichoke hearts into small pieces.
I love this recipe because all the ingredients go into a crockpot and in one hour, it's ready! It can be microwaved too if you need it for last minute entertaining.
Ingredients
• 8 oz mayonnaise
• 16 oz mozzarella cheese, shredded
• 8 oz Parmesan cheese, grated
• 8 oz artichoke hearts, drained and chopped (see tip below)
• 8 oz chopped spinach (if frozen, thaw, then drain by squeezing)
• 1 red pepper, seed and finely chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
You will need a small crockpot to use for cooking. It can be used for
serving too. I have also done this successfully in a microwave*.
Instructions
1. Place all ingredients in crockpot; mix thoroughly, but gently.
2. Cover; cook on high until heated; then cook on low for 1 hour or until cheese is melted.
3. Mix again; transfer to serving dish; serve with toast points, crackers or pita bread.
* If using a microwave, place all ingredients in a glass or microwave-safe dish. Cook on a medium-low setting for 2 minutes at a time, gently folding mixture each time, until cheese is melted. Fold again gently; place under broiler to gently brown.
Tips
• If your serving dish is ovenproof, place the dip under the broiler just briefly to get some color on top.
• I like to chop the spinach and artichoke hearts into ¾-inch pieces. The presentation of the dish looks so much better and easier to eat.
• I love these bowls from Le Tauci. They make the best serving bowls and go with so many styles of dinnerware.
Can you see the artichoke heart?
About the Ingredients . . .
• Mayonnaise-Use regular mayonnaise, not reduced fat. This gives the dip
substance and richness.
• Mozzarella Cheese-This popular cheese gives this dip a creamy texture and
spreads easily.
• Parmesan Cheese-This versatile cheese has grainy texture and nutty flavor. It
is also high in calcium, phosphorus and protein. Another plus, it's a great
probiotic for gut health.
• Artichoke Hearts-They have many attributes, including low in fat and a good
source of protein.
• Spinach-A dark leafy vegetable that is high in fiber and low in calories. It
contains many nutrients, including vitamins, minerals and antioxidants. Can use
fresh or frozen in this recipe.
• Red pepper-A colorful pepper that is high in vitamins, fiber and antioxidants. It
brings a pop of color to this recipe.
• Garlic-A member of the allium family, it is full of antioxidants and has
anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties. It can have a pungent, savory
and earthy taste. I wouldn't recommend elephant garlic for this recipe.
What makes this recipe so special:
• Lots of flavor with just a few ingredients.
• It's creamy and full of nutrition.
• Perfect recipe for a beginner!
Favorite Things
from
the Kitchen
I love these Le Tauci bowls with handles.
Recipes are like stories; they can change from person to person. Everyone has their idea of how a recipe should be, even
though it may have changed from the original. We will never know the true author of the original recipe, regardless of
what some may say. That's why I go back and look through the oldest cookbooks that I can find. Sometimes it's not the
recipe in the books that I find, but the tiny pieces of handwritten recipes and newspaper articles that are stuck within
the pages. That's where the real story is, finding those simple Southern recipes. -Mac