Spinach Artichoke Dip 

In the south football is life, people here count down the days until football season starts again the day of the national championship. If you’re no stranger to southern football (SEC) you’re probably no stranger to tailgating either.

It’s like having a big party every Saturday with all the party foods. Dips, soups, chilis, BBQ, hamburgers & hotdogs, finger foods, deserts, soda and adult beverages galore, some even go as far as to make full dinner meals (think of a very overboard picnic and you might come close to an SEC tailgate spread). One of my tailgate favorites happens to be spinach artichoke, it’s usually hot and humid in Alabama during the start of football season and there is something savory but light and refreshing about this dip (served cold with veggies) to me.
I ventured over to Costco today to grab a container of my favorite brand (then turned over to read the ingredients as I have become adapt to do) and was shocked to find the starch/grain additives. I thought to myself, noooooooo, I pouted for a few minutes, and decided I’d have to come up with a recipe of my own. 

Fresh spinach wilted on the stove and drained using a cheese cloth to remove excess moisture/water. 

Chopped artichoke hearts sautéed with minced garlic just enough to fill the house with the garlicky aroma.

Combine all the ingredients together in a bowl, mix well, and place into a casserole dish and into the oven at 350 for 20 minutes (or until it bubbles). You can serve it cold or hot. 

INGREDIENTS: 

1/2 cup – sour cream 

1/2 cup – dukes mayo 

4 oz – cream cheese, softened 

1 cup – grated Parmesan cheese 

10 oz – raw spinach 

2 14oz cans – artichoke hearts 

3 cloves – minced garlic 

Salt & Pepper 

DIRECTIONS:

Sauté spinach until wilted, drain and set aside (I use a cheese cloth to extract as much moisture as possible). Drain and chop up artichoke hearts to desired consistency (I prefer large chunks) and sauté with garlic over medium heat until garlic is fragrant. Finely dice drained spinach and mix all ingredients together in a bowl. Scoop mixture into a greased baking dish and place into a preheated 350 degree oven for 20 minutes or until bubbly. 

Serve hot or cold. Enjoy! 

Cold: with vegetables or crackers/dips 

Hot: as a topping for meats /fish and as a dip. 

Nutrition: coming soon