Tuesday, October 30, 2007

Brooke's Artichoke Dip

Now that I've posted about baking something from scratch (even if I didn't do the cooking), I have to post about something simple to make, or I may end up with a rash. And, eyw, no one wants that.

Spinach and Artichoke Dip

When I was a freshman in college (age 19, I think), my friend Brooke would also be home, because she was still in high school. Her house was on my way back to route 17, which I took through Dwight and over to I-55 to Bloomington. And what a sad, dark journey that was, especially in winter. So Brooke's house was something I could look forward to, and help stave off the inevitable homesickness I got from going back to school on a Sunday night. I don't remember the particulars surrounding this visit, or what season it was, but I do know she and her mom sent me back to school with two slices of "white pizza" with artichoke hearts. I unwrapped the slices from their tin foil before I went to bed that night. That's because when I was 19, what I really liked to do was stay up too late, eat too much 'round the clock, and complain about why I was gaining weight, sluggish, and still a virgin.

Anyway, I was totally knocked out by what I was eating. I thought it was one of the tastiest things I'd ever eaten, and it wasn't even warmed up, as I was instructed to eat it. Brooke gave me the simple recipe, and I've used it countless times since:

2 cups mozzarella cheese
1 cup parmesan (FINELY grated -- the powdery kind)
1 cup mayonnaise (I now use Hellman's Reduced Fat, the greatest lowfat mayo ever)

To that, you can add:

1 bag of rinsed-until-thawed artichoke hearts, broken up a bit with your fingers (canned works too, but the frozen ones are much fresher-tasting), as Brooke taught me originally,
or/and
1 box frozen spinach, thawed and drained (I started doing this sometimes later),
or/and
1 jar drained mushrooms
or/and
a little smoked shredded jack cheese across the top (this is a "new" alternative)
and
garlic seasoning, salt and pepper to taste

Pat dry any veggies you are using with a bunch of paper or one "real" towel. Mix well until combined, and then, in one version, you can place the dip in an oven-safe container (as in the photo above). Bake it for 45 minutes or so at about 350, and check on it. I like to put it under the broiler for a minute or two at the end, and serve it with pita bread or chips. Alternatively, you can spread it on a Boboli crust instead of the casserole dish, brushed beforehand with olive oil, and with some crushed garlic scattered about (then you can serve it as a white pizza).

As many times as I've made this, I've probably screwed it up just as many times. Benefit from my mistakes... Here are some things you should not do:

  • Do not add the mushrooms/spinach/artichoke hearts until they are VERY dry, drained and then toweled off.

  • Do not "eyeball" the measurements. Of COURSE I have attempted that, and it has always bombed, and the end result is "mayonnaise-y." When done properly, there is no hint of the mayo at the end. This was the first dish I made my husband, ever, and there was too much mayo in it. He was reluctant to try it again. (Now he likes it, knowing what it is supposed to taste like.)

  • Don't over-salt it. The parmesan is already pretty salty.

  • Do not forget the parmesan. Famously, I talked this dish up like crazy to my friends in college, made it, and served it to my friend Fred without adding the parmesan. The end result was too gross to even get into describing.

  • Do not use shredded parmesan instead of grated parmesan. I find that it throws off the proportions.


Let ye all take heed. I know Brooke is laughing by now.

Anyway, when I make this for Chris and I as opposed to bringing it to a party, we have a lot left over. I found a third use for it: the dip makes great grilled sandwiches later on!

Spinach and Artichoke Dip Turkey Sandwich

Just spread the cold, refrigerated dip between bread slices, or with grilled turkey as I've done here. Grill it as you would a grilled cheese. Delish.

Thanks for the recipe, Brooke! Hope I got it right. Love to you and your mom!

10 comments:

  1. That white pizza recipe looks awesome! I might have to get M to try it this weekend.

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  2. I can't tell you how much I love that you are reading this blog, Brandon. It is TWO PIES awesome!

    Use lots of garlic, and measure. You'll love it!!

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  3. Yum, yumy, yum! I can't wait to try this for Pizza Friday. :)

    PS. Will you ever come back to my blog? I miss your witty comments.

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  4. Awwwww! You have elevated the dip to new heights! I am so glad it is still a favorite...it is for us to. And I must try it with the spinach and mushrooms in it and on a sandwich. I do remember you telling me about the time you made it without the parmesan...gross, but probably not as gross as when somebody at your house mistook one of the cinnamon ornaments I had given you as a cookie and took a bite of it. You told me: "I'm so sorry they ruined the ornament...but all I can say is, if they took a bite of this, they got what they deserved." :)

    p.s. Hellmans IS the best low-fat mayo ever. It is one thing I have a brand preference on for sure.

    Love,
    Brooke

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  5. oh and and another p.s....I was laughing by then.

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  6. I made the pizza last night. The recipe made enough that I was able to do a pretty big bowl of dip as well (and probably sandwiches tonight.) The non-veggie half of the pizza got some grilled chicken, and was a big hit.

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  7. Ryan -- that is so cool that you made this. I'm really glad you liked it!

    Brooke -- once again, you have remembered something I have no memory of at all. Mostly, I feel badly that you made something for me that I don't remember!! That story is hilarious.

    G

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  8. Oooo-ee! That looks GOOD. I think I need to make that for my very next social gathering.

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  9. The dip looks so good... (I could eat it off the computer monitor!!).. I'll try that one! =Paul

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