Wednesday, January 06, 2010

Doc's Spinach Artichoke Dip

Happy 2010 folks! Hope you all had safe and happy holidays! This next recipe is also cause for a celebration. I've served it at parties (okay, well...two so far) and for intimate get-togethers.
I appropriated the recipe from a friend several years ago, and have used it ever since. Mr. Berry and I actually try spinach dips at restaurants in an attempt to compare them to this recipe, and some have some close, but most have failed. Try it, and you'll see what I mean. Comments welcome :)


Ingredients:

2 10 oz. packages of chopped spinach
8 oz sour cream
8 oz monterrey jack shredded cheese
1 jar marinated artichoke hearts
1/2 onion (chopped fine)
1 stick of butter
4 oz of philadelphia cream cheese (fat free or light will do)
2/3 c fresh parmesean cheese
garlic to taste (I used two cloves)
Tortilla chips

optional : ground cayenne pepper for garnishing

Directions: (see pictures below)

  • Gather all ingredients from the list above.
  • In a large pan, slowly melt the stick of butter as shown below.
  • As butter is melting, chop onions.
  • Chop garlic. Add onions and garlic to pan. Saute for a few minutes.
  • Remove spinach from package(s) and place in small, microwaveable bowl.
  • Place spinach in microwave for a minute on high power or until no longer frozen. It should still be bright green in color.Set aside.
  • Remove artichoke hearts from jar. Chop artichoke hearts finely (or cheat like I did and use the food processor.)
  • Onions and garlic should be well sauteed in butter.
  • Add spinach, stir, and cook for ten minutes on medium heat.
  • Add cream cheese and mix well.Add sour cream and mix well.Add artichoke.
  • Remove from heat;
  • Add parmesean cheese and salt and pepper to taste. Add to casserole dish; Add Monterrrey jack on top.Heat in oven on 350 degrees until cheese is melted on top.
  • Once cheese is melted (I like mine to have a tinge of brown crust on top--but that's just me :)
  • Let cool for five minutes and serve with tortilla chips. *I also like to add a sprinkle of ground cayenne pepper on top of my serving for an extra KICK.