Grilled Artichoke And Spinach Dip With Pita Wedges Recipes

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
• Heat the oil in a saute pan over medium heat. Add onions and cook, stirring occasionally, 4 to 5 minutes. Add garlic and cook an additional 3 to 4 minutes, or until onions are light-golden but not browned. Remove from heat and cool.
• In the bowl of a food processor combine the artichoke hearts, spinach, sour cream, mayonnaise, Neufchatel, mozzarella and salt and pepper. Process until smooth. Fold vegetable puree into sauteed onions, then spread into an 8-inch glass square baking dish or 9-inch glass pie plate which has been lightly sprayed with cooking spray. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes or until heated through. Serve with pita wedges or crudites.

Steps:

• Heat the vegetable oil in a small skillet over medium low heat. Add the garlic and shallot and cook, stirring frequently, until the shallot softens and the garlic begins to brown, about 7 minutes. Remove from heat and set aside.
• Put the spinach in a colander and squeeze out all of the excess water. Transfer to a large mixing bowl and add the artichoke hearts, crumbled bacon, cooked garlic and shallot, lemon zest, sour cream, salt and pepper. Mix well with a rubber spatula, and transfer to a decorative bowl. Allow to sit for 30 minutes before serving so the flavors can blend. Serve with crispy pitas.
• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Mix all of the herbs and spices in a small bowl. Put the pita wedges into a large mixing bowl and add the spice mix. Drizzle the oil over all and toss well to coat. Put the pitas onto a baking sheet, shake it to even them out and place the pan into the top half of the preheated oven until they are crispy and lightly brown, about 20 minutes. Remove from the oven, let cool 10 minutes and mound around the dip bowl.

Steps:

• To make the dip:
• Drain artichoke hearts and place on skewers.
• Brush with olive oil and season with salt and pepper.
• Grill over direct medium heat until golden brown, about 6 minutes, turning once halfway through grilling time.
• In a large sauté pan, sauté garlic, shallot, and onion in remaining olive oil.
• Rough chop the artichokes and add to garlic mixture.
• Add the spinach.
• Fold in cream, sour cream, and 1 cup of the cheese. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
• Place in fireproof dish or heavy-duty aluminum pan and sprinkle with the remaining 2 tablespoons of Parmesan cheese.
• Heat over medium to low heat for 20 to 25 minutes until dip is heated through.
• For the pita:.
• 8 pita rounds.
• Olive oil.
• Salt and pepper.
• To make the pita:
• Brush pita rounds with olive oil and season with salt and pepper.
• Grill briefly over direct heat to warm, about 1 to 2 minutes.
• Cut into wedges.
• Garnish the dip with sour cream and chopped fresh tomato, if desired.
• Serve with the pita wedges.