Five of My Favorite Simple Fall Recipes

  1. Vermont Cheddar Cheese Soup: This soup is perfect as the weather gets nippy and you begin craving comfort foods.
  2. Hot Spinach, Artichoke and Cheese Dip: Hosting a football party?  This tasty and simple dip will become a favorite of your friends and family.
  3. Slow Cooker French Dip Sandwiches: Start the slow cooker in the morning and have fantastic family-friendly sandwiches for dinner.
  4. Breakfast Portobello Mushrooms with Shiitakes: Having a Sunday brunch?  This is a sure crowd-pleaser.
  5. Chocolate Walnut Crumb Bar:  This popular bar’s crust is shortbread-like and its filling is rich and chocolaty.  Warning – addictive!
Hot Spinach, Artichoke and Cheese Dip

Hot Spinach, Artichoke and Cheese Dip

Who doesn’t love spinach and artichoke dip? Every time I serve this dish or see it served at parties, there are never any leftovers.

This version is cooked on the stove top without any baking time (unless you want a crusty top), so it’s not only delicious, it’s simple to prepare.

Ingredients:

  • 1-10 ounce package frozen chopped spinach, defrosted
  • 4 canned artichoke hearts, well drained
  • 5 Tbsp. butter
  • ¼ cup minced onions
  • 2 tsp. minced shallots
  • 1 tsp. minced garlic
  • ¼ tsp. nutmeg
  • ½ tsp. salt
  • 1/8 tsp. pepper
  • 1 tbsp. flour
  • 2 cups heavy cream
  • 4 ounces (1 cup) shredded Mozzarella
  • 6 ounces (1 1/2 cups) shredded Parmesan

Directions:

  1. Drain, then squeeze as much moisture out of the spinach as possible. Break up the clumped spinach and place in a large bowl.
  2. Chop the artichoke coarsely and combine with spinach. Set aside.
  3. In a heavy saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the onions and sauté 3 minutes. Add the shallots, garlic, nutmeg, salt, pepper and continue cooking 2 minutes.
  4. Sprinkle the flour evenly over the sautéed mixture. Lower the heat to medium-low and cook 2 minutes. Slowly add the cream, stirring constantly, until slightly thickened, then let simmer 5 minutes.
  5. Add mozzarella, a little at a time, stirring until thoroughly melted. Add the Parmesan the same way. Simmer gently another 5 minutes, stirring often to avoid burning. Remove from heat and let cool, 10 minutes.
  6. Stir the sauce into spinach mixture, mixing well.  Pour into ovenproof dish. Serve.

6 Servings.