Preparing a delicious spinach dip is truly an act of love in my kitchen. Sharing it with my family and friends not only fills their tummies but also warms their hearts! I mean, who can resist spinach and cheese coming together in perfect harmony, creating a symphony of flavors? It’s like a match made in appetizer heaven!
Putting together a scrumptious spinach dip is pretty darn easy, and making sure it’s fresh and healthy adds to the party in my kitchen. Artichoke hearts, you say? You betchya! Searching for those perfect canned artichoke hearts on the grocery shelf makes me think of a treasure hunt, until voilà! The winning can is in my cart, and I’m whistling my way to the frozen veggies to scoop up a bag of – you guessed it – frozen chopped spinach.
Now, the magic begins. Thawing and squeezing out every last drop of water from that spinach is crucial, my friends. I’m telling you, Popeye himself would be proud of me! No one wants a watery dip, right? Right! That being said, let’s move on to the cheese. Oh, the glorious cheese! A delightful marriage of cream cheese, sour cream, and mayonnaise sets the stage for our shining star, Parmesan. Nothing but the real stuff will do, so a quick grind or two with the box grater pulverizes that scrumptious cheese into snowy Parmesan flakes. Yum!
But, what about flavor, you ask? Garlic, garlic, and more garlic! Can’t ever have too much of that, now can we? Not in my kitchen! And to top it all off, a little pepper ‘n’ dash of crushed red pepper flakes to literally spice things up a bit.
Finally, my trusty baking dish is loaded with this divine mixture, and into the oven it goes! The aromatic symphony that fills my kitchen as the scrumptious concoction bakes, sends my taste buds dancing. Once it’s bubbly and golden, out comes my masterpiece, ready to be devoured by my beloved family and friends who are, undoubtedly, salivating with anticipation.
Bringing people together around a table filled with laughter, love, and a heaping bowl of savory spinach dip is a dream come true. Mmm…Y’all, let the dipping commence!
Gather ingredients:
- 1 (10 oz.) package frozen chopped spinach, thawed and drained
- 1 (14 oz.) can artichoke hearts, drained and chopped
- 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 (8 oz.) package cream cheese, softened
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- Pinch of crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
Instructions:
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Thoroughly squeeze out excess water from thawed chopped spinach, using a clean kitchen towel or paper towel.
- Coarsely chop drained artichoke hearts.
- In a large bowl, combine the softened cream cheese, sour cream, and mayonnaise. Mix well.
- Stir in chopped spinach, chopped artichoke hearts, and grated Parmesan cheese.
- Add minced garlic, black pepper, and crushed red pepper flakes (if using). Mix well to ensure even distribution of ingredients.
- Transfer mixture to a baking dish (preferably an 8×8-inch or similar size for even depth).
- Use a spatula to spread the mixture evenly in the baking dish.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes, or until the dip is bubbly and the top is golden.
- Remove from oven and let cool for about 5 minutes.
- Serve warm with sliced baguette, crackers, or raw vegetables for dipping. Enjoy!
That was fresh!
