Artichoke Hearts Attack
Artichoke hearts are readily available in cans and jars in many countries, and are increasingly used in the making of snack dips. Many national chain restaurants in the USA have some variety of artichoke dip, which is usually mayonnaise-based. One of the easiest, yet unhealthy, variations on the creamy artichoke dip is jokingly called the Artichoke Hearts Attack, owing to the amount of mayonnaise and Parmesan cheese it contains.
As an “equal parts” recipe, (with 3 simple parts), it is especially amenable to whipping up at the last minute for a party, and as it is primarily a base to which other ingredients are added, it is popular among those who like to add something distinctive.
Ingredients
Equal parts:
* artichoke hearts, chopped or squeezed
* mayonnaise
* Parmesan or Romano cheese
Procedure
Just mix them up, that’s it.
Notes, tips, and variations
There are many who increase the amount of artichokes used, for health-conscious reasons. There are also versions that replace the mayonnaise with soft tofu.
Various items that are often added to the base artichoke dip, (to taste):
* salt and pepper
* chopped scallions, (green onions)
* dill weed
* finely chopped olives, (often with pimento)
* chopped tomatoes are an especially common addition
* any number of very finely chopped vegetables, sometimes pre-cooked but raw is fine
* chopped spinach, cooked
* ½ cup sour cream
* ½ cup cream cheese
* minced garlic
* small can chopped green chilis
* Dijon mustard (teaspoon or tablespoon to taste)
Serving
At room temperature, it is perfect for the savory dipping of vegetables, potato chips, and all other common party snacks. It becomes even better, however, as a warmed-up dip. Simply place it into a small, shallow, heat-resistant dish and broil it for just a little while, until the top turns slightly tan. It can also work well as a continuously warmed dip in a fondue pot, although it does need to be stirred every once in a while to prevent burning.
Another interesting use, for those who are definitely not counting calories, is as the base for a sandwich. Spread the dip onto a good Italian roll, then broil it. When the dip turns a nice tan color, take it out of the broiler and finish the sandwich with lettuce and tomato.
Spam Stuffed Potatoes Florentine
vegetable cooking spray
1 teaspoon butter or margarine
1 12-oz can Spam luncheon meat — cubed
1/3 cup chopped onion
1/2 10-oz package frozen chopped spinach — thawed and squeezed dry
1/4 teaspoon dried thyme
6 baking potatoes — baked and kept warm
1/4 cup skim milk
2 tablespoons grated parmesan cheese
1/4 teaspoon pepper
1/4 cup shredded monterey jack cheese
1/4 cup shredded cheddar cheese
Heat oven to 350F. Spray a shallow rectangular 2-quart baking dish with vegetable cooking spray.
In a large nonstick skillet, saute SPAM in butter 3 minutes. Add onion, spinach, and thyme; cook and stir 2 minutes. Set aside.
Cut a thin slice off the top of each potato. Scoop out each potato, leaving a 1/2″ shell. Place shells in prepared baking dish. Place scooped out potato in medium mixing bowl. Beat at medium speed 30 seconds. Add milk, Parmesan cheese, and pepper; beat just until combined. Stir in SPAM mixture. Fill potato shells with potato mixture.
Bake, uncovered, 25-30 minutes or until thoroughly heated. Top with cheeses. Bake 5 minutes longer or until cheese is melted.
Per Serving (excluding unknown items): 344 Calories; 15g Fat (39.2% calories from fat); 17g Protein; 36g Carbohydrate; 4g Dietary Fiber; 40mg Cholesterol; 900mg Sodium. Exchanges: 2 Grain(Starch); 1 1/2 Lean Meat; 1/2 Vegetable; 0 Non-Fat Milk; 2 Fat.
Bombay Spinach
Boil the spinach in salted water until tender; drain and chop fine. Fry 1 chopped onion in 2 tablespoonfuls of butter; add the chopped spinach, a pinch of pepper and curry-powder. Cover and let simmer five minutes. Serve on a platter with stewed prawns and garnish with croutons.
Aloo Palak
Ingredients
3 cups chopped spinach
2 large onoins chopped fine
2 large potatoes boiled and peeled
1 tomato grated
2 green chillies
1″ piece ginger
1 tsp. lemon juice
1/2 tsp. wheat or other flour
1 tsp. red chilli powder
1 tsp. cinnamon-clove powder
1/4 tsp. turmeric powder
1/2 tsp cumin seeds
2 pinches asafoetida
1/2 tsp. garam masala
1/2 tbsp. butter
4 tbsp. ghee
salt to taste
METHOD:
Put the washed spinach in a pan, add very little water (just a sprinkle) and a pinch of salt.
Cover and boil over a high flame for 2 minutes. Cool quickly, or hold under running water in a colander.
Put in a mixie, add green chilli and run for a minute. Keep slightly coarse, do not make very smooth.
Keep aside.
Cut the potatoes into big pieces. Heat ghee and fry potatoes till light brown.
Drain the potatoes, keep aside.
In the same hot ghee add the cumin seeds.
Add the ginger, onions and fry till very tender.
Add the tomato and further fry for two minutes.
Add all the dry masalas and fry till ghee separates.
Add spinach and potatoes.
When it resumes a boil sprinkle the flour and stir well. Boil for 2-3 minutes. Add lemon juice
Just before s erving heat butter in a tiny saucepan and add the asafoetida.
Pour over the vegetable and mix gently.
Serve hot with naan or parathas or even rice.
Note: You may use boiled peas, boiled corn kernels or paneer chunks in the above dish, instead of atoes.
Making time: 45 minutes
Makes for: 6
Shelf life: Best fresh
Spinach Balls
2 packages frozen chopped spinach — thawed and drained
1 medium onion — chopped
6 eggs — beaten
1 teaspoon accent. seasoning mix
3/4 cup melted butter
2 cups Pepperidge Farm Herb Stuffing mix
1/2 cup parmesan cheese
1 teaspoon pepper
1/2 teaspoon thyme
2 teaspoons garlic salt
Mix all ingredients and shape into small balls. Place on a cookie sheet and bake at 350 degrees for approximately 25 minutes.
Yield 60 balls or 100 if using a teaspoon for each ball.
Spinach and Artichoke Dip
2 cups chopped spinach
2 cups chopped artichokes
1/2 cup diced onion
1 tsp. minced garlic
1/2 cup chopped parsley
1/2 cup chopped green onion
2 tsp. lea and Perrins
1 oz. olive oil
2 cups chicken stock
2 cups heavy cream
1 cup shredded mozzarella
salt and pepper to taste
roux to thicken
Place olive oil in pan and heat. Sauté onion, green onion and garlic for approximately 3 minutes, then add all Other ingredients except roux and cheese. Simmer for 20 minutes. Thicken with roux until creamy. Fold in cheese at end.
Hot Mexican Spinach Dip
1 (16 ounce) jar salsa
1 (10 ounce) package frozen chopped spinach, thawed and drained
2 cups shredded Monterey Jack cheese
1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese, diced and softened
1 cup evaporated milk
1 (2.25 ounce) can chopped black olives, drained
1 tablespoon red wine vinegar
salt and pepper to taste
Preheat oven to 400F. In a medium baking dish, mix together salsa, chopped spinach, Monterey Jack cheese, cream cheese, evaporated milk, black olives, red wine vinegar, salt and pepper. Bake mixture in the preheated oven 12 to 15 minutes, or until bubbly. Serve with tortilla chips.
FROM THE SPINACH PATCH OF STEPHEN VOUGHT
3/4 lb. bulk sausage (Jimmy Dean’s)
1 (16 oz.) loaf frozen bread
1 (10 oz.) pkg. frozen chopped spinach
8 oz. shredded Mozzarella cheese
Thaw dough and spinach overnight in refrigerator. Drain spinach well. Cook and drain sausage; set aside. Roll dough into 15×8 rectangle. Sprinkle cheese over dough. Top with sausage and spinach. Seal long sides together, then seal ends. Place loaf on greased baking sheet. Brush with egg white. Sprinkle with seed, if desired. Bake for 30-35 minutes at 350
degrees. Let stand for 5 minutes.