Spinach and Artichoke Dip

Ingredients

• Kosher salt
• 1 10-ounce bag baby spinach
• 1 cup packed fresh basil
• 3/4 cup canned cannellini beans, drained and rinsed
• 6 ounces Neufchatel cream cheese
• 1 clove garlic, smashed
• 1/2 cup low-sodium chicken broth
• 1 14-ounce can artichoke hearts, drained, squeezed dry and finely chopped
• 1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese
• 3/4 cup shredded low-fat mozzarella cheese
• 1 tbs SparkPlug 
• 2 or 3 dashes Worcestershire sauce
• Freshly ground black pepper
• Cooking spray
• Baked chips, for serving

Notes before we start: I used more Parmesan cheese than it called for, and I added a thicker layer of Pepper jack and mozzarella on top. I also substituted hot sauce for the cayenne pepper. Also... I saved a lot of time and trouble by just using frozen spinach. I served with "pita chips"... which I think would translate better than regular tortilla chips.  Enjoy this recipe... its unbelievable.

Directions

Preheat the oven to 450. Bring a pot of salted water to a boil and prepare a bowl of ice water. Stir the spinach and basil into the boiling water and cook until bright green, about 30 seconds. Remove with a slotted spoon and immediately plunge in the ice water. Drain and squeeze dry, then roughly chop.

Puree the beans, cream cheese, garlic and chicken broth in a food processor until smooth, scraping the sides as needed. Transfer to a medium bowl and fold in the spinach and basil, artichokes, parmesan and 1/2 cup mozzarella. Add the cayenne, Worcestershire sauce, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and black pepper to taste.

Mist a deep 1-quart casserole dish with cooking spray. Spread the dip mixture in the dish and top with the remaining 1/4 cup mozzarella. Bake until golden and bubbly, 20 to 25 minutes. Serve warm with baked chips.

Per serving (1/4 cup): Calories 100; Fat 5 g (Saturated 3 g); Cholesterol 19 mg; Sodium 338 mg; Carbohydrate 7 g; Fiber 2 g; Protein 6 g

Thanksgiving 2010

My Mom and Step-Dad-Equivalent came to visit for Thanksgiving, but airline prices being what they are, flew out ON Thanksgiving instead of Friday since it was more than $100 cheaper to do so. They live a vegan lifestyle most of the time so our menu was catered to them to a small extent.

Menu:
Quadruple Bypass Mashed Potatoes
Mushroom Wine Gravy
Tofu Croquettes
Sweet Potatoes with Onions and Peppers
Fresh Spinach and Cherry Tomatoes
Mixed Greek Olives
Jellied Cranberry Sauce & Whole Cranberry Sauce (Ocean Spray)
Green Bean Casserole
California Seedless Grapes

There is also a home-made pumpkin cheesecake, and key lime pie from the Boll Weevil restaurant, in addition to left over "Perfect Chocolate Cake" from Boll Weevil as well.

I modified a Pumpkin Cheesecake recipe I found online as I couldn't find the one I usually use, I used pre-made crusts and didn't make the topping. We'll be serving it with Whipped cream instead. (Although I may make the topping later if I make another one on Friday).

Goat Cheese Stuffed Mushrooms

We started with a recipe from Martha Stewart and changed it up a bit...

Olive oil, for baking sheet

2 slices white sandwich bread

1 slice wheat sandwich bread

2 garlic cloves, coarsely chopped

1/2 a shallot, coarsely chopped

6oz soft goat cheese, crumbled

1/2 cup fresh parsley leaves

1/4 cup Sparkplug

Coarse salt

A large package large white button mushrooms (15-20), stems removed

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Lightly oil a rimmed baking sheet.

In a food processor, pulse bread, garlic and shallots until fine crumbs form; set 1/2 cup aside.

To food processor, add goat cheese, parsley, and Sparkplug. Season with salt, and pulse filling until combined.

Spoon filling into each mushroom, and roll filled side in reserved breadcrumbs.

Place on prepared baking sheet; bake until mushrooms are tender and lightly browned, 15 to 20 minutes.

Very quick and easy recipe and SO tasty!

Eggs of the Devil?!

I'm planning what I hope will be a yearly Tea Party. My menu includes a recipe for Deviled Eggs that I found on Martha Stewart's website.

Since today is the day after The Big Snow, I don't have several ingredients so I made some substitutions and it turned out pretty well.

6 eggs, hard boiled, peeled and halved lengthwise.
1/4 cup light mayonaise
1 shallow tbsp McMenamins Terminator Stout Stone-Ground Mustard
1 1/2 tbsp finely minced white onion
1 twist of ground black pepper
1 shake of paprika
1 tbsp Homeward Bound Sparkplug Hot Sauce
a sprinkling of kosher salt

Combine yolks with remainder of ingredients and spoon or pipe into the egg-white.



Nom.