Spinach and Artichoke Dip

If you have a tailgating party, or just a sunday night football gathering this dish has to be invited! When I served this at my last tailgating party I waited for guests to have a bite before I told them it was low fat. They were all splendidly surprised. 

I served this with homemade baked tortilla chips. To make those all you do is take corn tortillas and cut them into wedges. Place them in a single layer on a baking dish sprayed with cooking spray and bake them for 6-7 minutes at 450' until they are crispy, but not brown. (If you want a little bit more flavor sprinkle the pre-baked chips with salt and pepper. Or if you want to go a little spicy, maybe some chili powder.)

It is best to serve this dip warm, but really it can be eaten at any temperature. If you have to transport this as I did, put it all together the night before and bake it right before you have to leave. 

Please forgive my forgetfulness in taking pictures. I was making three different recipes at one time and the taking of pictures before I put it all together was somehow forgotten. 

Spinach and Artichoke Dip (printer friendly version)

Cooking Light Complete Cookbook

Ingredients:

2 cups (8oz) shredded part-skim mozzarella cheese, divided

1/2 cup fat-free sour cream

1/4 cup (1 oz) grated fresh Parmesan cheese, divided

1/4 teaspoon pepper

3 garlic cloves, crushed

1 (14 oz) can artichoke hearts, drained and chopped

1 (8 oz) block 1/3 less-fat cream cheese, softened

1 (8 oz) block fat-free cream cheese, softened

1 (10 oz) package frozen chopped spinach, thawed, drained, and squeeze dry

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350'.
2. Combine 1 1/2 cups mozzarella, sour cream, 2 tablespoons Parmesan, pepper and remaining 5 ingredients in a large bowl, and stir until well blended. Spoon mixture into a 1 1/2 quart baking dish. Sprinkle 1/2 cup mozzarella and 2 tablespoon Parmesan. Bake at 350' for 30 minutes or until bubbly and brown. Serve with baked tortilla chips or crackers.

Makes 4 1/2 cups
Nutrition: (serving size: 1/4 cup) Calories 99; Fat 5.5g; Protein 8.1g; Carb 4.3g; Fiber 0.5g; Cholesterol 19mg