🍽️ Alma’s Spinach Artichoke Dip 🧀
Alma’s Spinach Artichoke Dip is a creamy, cheesy, and savory dip that has become a beloved appetizer at parties and gatherings. It’s known for its rich and indulgent flavor, making it a favorite among dip enthusiasts.
📜 History:
The exact origin of Spinach Artichoke Dip is a bit murky, but it gained popularity in the United States in the 1980s and 1990s. It likely evolved from traditional Mediterranean recipes that featured spinach and artichokes as key ingredients. Over the years, it has become a staple on restaurant menus and a go-to dish for home cooks looking to impress their guests.
🧀 Components:
The main components of Alma’s Spinach Artichoke Dip include:
- Spinach: Fresh or frozen spinach, typically cooked and drained to remove excess moisture.
- Artichoke Hearts: Canned or jarred artichoke hearts, chopped into bite-sized pieces.
- Cream Cheese: Adds creaminess and richness to the dip.
- Sour Cream: Provides tanginess and helps to balance the flavors.
- Mayonnaise: Adds creaminess and a hint of flavor.
- Parmesan Cheese: Adds a nutty and salty flavor.
- Mozzarella Cheese: Provides gooey, cheesy goodness.
- Garlic: For a subtle kick of garlic flavor.
- Seasonings: Salt, pepper, and sometimes a dash of red pepper flakes for a touch of heat.
👩🍳 Preparation Steps:
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Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
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In a large mixing bowl, combine:
- 1 package (10 ounces) of frozen chopped spinach (thawed and drained).
- 1 can (14 ounces) of artichoke hearts (drained and chopped).
- 1 package (8 ounces) of cream cheese (softened).
- 1/4 cup of mayonnaise.
- 1/4 cup of sour cream.
- 1/2 cup of grated Parmesan cheese.
- 1/2 cup of shredded mozzarella cheese.
- 2 cloves of minced garlic.
- Salt and pepper to taste.
- Optional: a pinch of red pepper flakes for heat.
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Mix all the ingredients until well combined, ensuring the cream cheese is fully incorporated into the mixture.
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Transfer the mixture into a baking dish or a cast-iron skillet.
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Top with additional mozzarella cheese for an extra cheesy finish.
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Bake in the preheated oven for about 25-30 minutes, or until the dip is hot and bubbly, and the top is golden brown.
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Serve your Alma’s Spinach Artichoke Dip hot with tortilla chips, crackers, or sliced baguette.
⏰ Time Needed:
- Preparation: Approximately 15 minutes.
- Baking: 25-30 minutes.
- Total Time: Around 40-45 minutes.
Enjoy Alma’s Spinach Artichoke Dip at your next gathering or as a delicious snack with friends and family! 🎉🧀🍞
Certainly! Here are the nutrition facts and some health information for Alma’s Spinach Artichoke Dip:
Nutrition Facts (per 2 tablespoon serving):
- Calories: 90
- Total Fat: 7g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Cholesterol: 15mg
- Sodium: 150mg
- Total Carbohydrates: 3g
- Dietary Fiber: 0g
- Sugars: 1g
- Protein: 3g
Health Information:
- While Alma’s Spinach Artichoke Dip is undeniably delicious, it’s also relatively high in calories, primarily due to its creamy and cheesy components. Each serving contains around 90 calories, which can add up quickly if you consume a large amount.
- The dip is a good source of protein (3g per serving) and calcium from the cheese and dairy ingredients.
- It’s important to be mindful of portion sizes, as it can be easy to overindulge in this tasty dip.
- Consider pairing it with healthier dippers like carrot sticks, cucumber slices, or whole-grain crackers to add some nutritional balance to your snack.
- If you’re looking to reduce the calorie and fat content, you can explore light or low-fat versions of cream cheese and mayonnaise, or use Greek yogurt as a substitute for sour cream.
Remember that while Alma’s Spinach Artichoke Dip can be enjoyed in moderation as an occasional treat, it’s not the healthiest option due to its high calorie and fat content.
