#30 spinach artichoke dip

1 can (240g) of artichoke hearts
2 gloves of garlic, minced
1 small onion, chopped
1 package (285g) of frozen spinach, thawed
1/3 cup (78g) of mayonnaise
1/4 teaspoon of black pepper
1 tablespoon of red wine vinegar
1 cup (225g) of cream cheese
1/2 cup (75g) of herder’s white cheese
3/4 cup (255ml) of milk
3/4 cup (60g) of parmesan cheese
3/4 cup (85g) of shredded gouda
8 ounces (230g) of sour cream

In a large crock pot or large heavy pan, sautée the chopped onion & minced garlic cloves until soft, but not brown. And as simple as it can get, all you have to do is add the rest of the ingredients into the pot & stir to combine. Cook on low heat for about 30 minutes in order for the flavors to fuse together. Serve in a dipping bowl with chips or toasted bread.

I have to start off this post with a fond memory of my college days. I remember how much I have always loved this delicious dip, and since its pretty much a common appetizer in many American restaurants, I wouldn’t miss the opportunity to order it! I also remember it being one of my first cooking experiences ever! It was Thanksgiving break and those of us who stayed on campus decided to have a delicious (college-student-cooked) Thanksgiving dinner. None of us dared prepare a whole turkey from scratch, so – in true student fashion – we bought prepared turkey breast slices, whipped up some easy instant mashed potatoes, and stocked up on some Franzia boxed wine. However, there was one single element of homemade love: I decided to prepared my very own version of my beloved dip. And since then, I couldn’t love it more!

For years it’s held a special place in my tummy’s heart and every holiday season I prepare a large batch of my famous dip, which not only adds yummy greens to the festivities, but also gives us a great snacking treat in the fridge for the days to come. The best part of this recipe is the one-pot wonder of it all. No stirring, no mixing, no dirty dishes! Just throw everything into a crockpot and let time & heat do their thing. Such a great & easy way to impress guests, this is a perfect solution for a wine night snack or great as an entertaining appetizer. Spinach is the primary ingredient, but the artichoke hearts are a lovely enhancer to the blend. Forget the commercially sold kind, you’ll never wanna try those again!