The Foodology Collective

I figured the best way to kick off the New Year here on the FC would be with a favored recipe of mine. In fact, I took this dish to a new years bash just a few days ago. This is a dip I have adapted from a number of spinach and artichoke recipes I enjoy. You can use a good white wine (try a nice reisling) in place of the champagne, but I figured you could never go wrong with a little bubbly to ring in 2009. I like to serve this dip with garlic crositini or pita chips lightly dusted with sea salt. Luckily, it will stand up to everything including fresh bread and your favorite cracker.

New Years Spinach and Artichoke Dip

2 tbsp. olive oil

2 cloves garlic, minced

2 large onions, chopped fine (about 2 cups)

1 large leek, rinsed well and chopped fine (about 1.5 to 2 cups)

2 cans artichoke hearts (15 oz each) drained and chopped fine

1 package frozen chopped spinach (10 oz.), thawed and squeezed dry

1 cup champagne (preferably extra dry or sec)

8 oz. heavy cream

½ lb. good quality brie (rind removed and cut in pieces)

2 cups aged parmesan cheese

1 tbsp. Dijon mustard

Finely chopped parsley (approximately half a cup)

1 tsp. herbes de provence

Red pepper flake (to taste)

Salt (to taste)

Fresh ground black pepper (to taste)

Put olive oil in large, deep skillet over medium to medium-high heat. Add garlic, onion and leeks and sauté until soft and slightly soft (approximately 10 minutes), mixing often. Add artichokes and spinach and sauté for another 2-3 minutes. Add champagne, reduce heat to medium-low and allow to simmer for another 2-3 minutes. Add heavy cream and simmer 2 minutes. Add in brie and 1 cup parmesean and mix until cheese has just melted. Remove from heat and mix in mustard, herbs, salt and peppers.

Preheat oven to 375^oF. Spoon dip into an 8 x 8 x 2 glass baking dish (or your favorite dish for baking). Sprinkle with remaining parmesan. Bake approximately 30 minutes until dip is bubbly and cheese is melted. Turn on broiler on high and broil dish until cheese is browned (approximately 3-5 minutes more).

I apologize for the lack of pictures, but I hope I’ll be able to get some up in future posts. Just some quick science and nutrition (since I can’t help myself): Champagne has been made for over 2000 years and may be beneficial for brain health. The artichoke is actually the flower bud of a plant in the sunflower family and has been consumed by mankind for over 2000 years. Artichokes are a great source of  very good source of vitamins A and C, potassium, niacin, and manganese. Hope you enjoy and Happy New Year! Cheers!