Artichoke Dip

Ingredients

• 1 (14-ounce) can artichoke hearts, drained and chopped
• 8 ounces cream cheese softened
• 1/2 cup mayonnaise
• 1/2 cup sour cream
• 1 clove garlic minced
• 1 cup finely grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
• 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• 2 teaspoons chopped fresh thyme

Instructions

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
• In a large bowl, combine the artichoke hearts, cream cheese, mayonnaise, sour cream, minced garlic, Parmesan cheese, mozzarella cheese, black pepper, and thyme.
• Once well-combined, spoon it into a small casserole dish or small ovenproof skillet and bake for 18-20 minutes.
• Turn the broiler on low for the last 1-2 minutes to lightly brown the top but keep an eye on it as broilers are very unpredictable. Serve warm with crackers, crostini, pita chips or fresh veggies.

Notes

• For optimal taste, use freshly grated Parmesan.  The flavor makes it worth every red cent, as my late mother used to say.
• This dish can be prepped up to 24 hours in advance, stored covered in the refrigerator, and baked just before your company arrives. For best results, remove the dish 40-45 minutes prior to baking to bring it to room temperature.
• To make it spinach artichoke dip add 10 ounces of frozen spinach thawed, drained, and chopped. It is best to put the spinach in a towel and squeeze the moisture out of it.
• Freshly grate the Parmesan and shred the mozzarella cheese. They will taste and melt better without any additives found in prepackaged grated and shredded cheese.
• For flavor variations, try adding crispy cooked bacon, cooked crumbled sausage, sauteed onions, pepper, or mushrooms. Swap out the mozzarella for Pepper Jack, Monterey Jack, or Fontina.

Nutrition

Calories: 315kcal | Carbohydrates: 3g | Protein: 10g | Fat: 29g | Saturated Fat: 13g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 7g | Monounsaturated Fat: 7g | Trans Fat: 0.03g | Cholesterol: 63mg | Sodium: 471mg | Potassium: 87mg | Fiber: 0.1g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 696IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 265mg | Iron: 0.3mg