"spinach dip" news and stories

Spinach-artichoke dip has become the token appetizer at T.G.I.McFunsters-like establishments. Set yourself apart with a homemade version that will have your New Year's party guests scraping the sides of the bowl.

This dip is inspired by the steakhouse flavor of creamed spinach but with an added bonus of dunk-ability -- no utensils required.

Just in time for New Year's resolutions, this recipe opts out of the traditional butter and heavy cream for reduced-fat sour cream, ricotta and cannellini beans.

Serve this golden-bubbly spinach artichoke dip from A Dash of Sass with tortilla chips, homemade pita chips or cut-up raw vegetables. Popeye will be so proud.

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In this weekly series, home cook Bruce Watson works his way through a decades-old family cookbook, adapting the best recipes exclusively for Slashfood.

In my family cookbook, there is a recipe for "Mabel's Spinach Spread," a gelatin-thickened dip that was developed by one of my Aunt Evie's foodie friends. Although the original concoction contains a startling quantity of mayonnaise and a lot of added salt, the basic idea of a molded-gelatin dip was somewhat compelling. Gelatin, after all, is basically a fat-free, sugar-free protein that is, allegedly, great for hair and fingernails. Best of all, it can help a dip to stiffen up without the introduction of cream cheese or some other dense fat.

This recipe combines a basic spinach spread with some Greek flavor notes. The yogurt base is creamy, yet fat free, and the feta greatly reduces the need for added salt. Best of all, the fresh flavors of this dip make it a great, easy-to-prepare snack for long summer afternoons. The recipe after the jump.

I have a horrible confession, Slashfood friends. One of the reasons I love the Super Bowl and other tailgate-type parties is that it gives me an excuse to make and eat all those foods that I'd never serve at any other type of party because they're not very, well, "foodie." I'm talking about things like Flamin' Hot Cheetos, national chain delivery pizza, and...

Spinach Dip.

I'm not talking about your little glazed earthenware crockpot filled with a homemade blend of cheese, artichokes, and spinach. Neither am I even going with a store-bought version of the same thing that I would at least pretend to cook by heating up and serving to guests hot. I am talking about that Spinach Dip made from frozen chopped spinach, sour cream, mayonnaise, and a package of dried vegetable soup mix that you have to make the night before so the freeze-dried vegetables have time to revive. The stuff is not only horrible for you (unless you make it healthy with lowfat sour cream and mayo!), but good grief, it's made from dried vegetable soup.

And yes, I always serve it in a hollowed out round of bread that I buy at the store, too.

Still don't know what to take to that Super Bowl potluck party? You don't need to impress anyone with your mad culinary skillz at a football party, so save the foie gras terrine recipe for another day, and just bring spinach dip.

Spinach Dip

1 cup of mayonnaise
1 package Knorr Vegetable Soup Mix (a.k.a. "Recipe Mix")
1 pkg. frozen chopped spinach, thawed and squeezed dry
2 green onions (scallions), thinly sliced
1 pint of sour cream

Combine all ingredients. Cover and chill two hours or over night. Serve with crudités or bread chunks.

[photo: jenyu]