Crack out the crackers and get dippin’!
Are you looking for a healthy alternative to the usual creature comfort party foods ? Here is a winner to add to your party platter for social gatherings and holiday appetizers! This scrumptious baked spinach and artichoke dip is creamy and full of flavour to satisfy both your vegan and non-vegan guests, leaving out the traditional dairy and cheese. This dip starts with a cashew base and is finished off with spinach and artichokes for a crowd pleasing twist on a traditional high calorie spread! Dip with your fave crackers or bread, such as pita, and watch it disappear!
Ingredients:
- 1 cup cashews
- 1 cup unsweetened non dairy milk such as almond or oat
- 1/4 cup fresh squeezed lemon juice
- 1/4 cup nutritional yeast
- 2 tbsp olive oil, divided
- 1/2 cup chopped shallot or white onion
- 4-5 cloves garlic, crushed, chopped or minced
- 3 cups loosely packed spinach, roughly chopped
- 1 1/2 cups artichoke hearts from a can or jar, coarsely chopped
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Dash of red chilli flakes (optional)
Directions:
- Soak cashews either over night or flash soak by pouring boiling water over top and letting them sit at least 30 minutes. Drain and rinse when ready.
- If heating dip up right away, preheat oven to 350F. You can also make ahead to store in refrigerate and heat when ready to serve.
- In a small frypan, sauté shallot/onion in 1 tbsp of olive oil until tender, about 3-5 minutes then add garlic and sauté another minute or 2. Set aside to cool.
- Rinse cashews and add them to a high speed blender along with lemon juice, non-dairy milk, nutritional yeast and sautéed onion and garlic mix. Blend until completely smooth. Test for taste and add salt and pepper to your preference. You could also add a dash of red chilli flakes here as well.
- Return frypan to stove top and gently warm spinach in remaining olive oil until wilted.
- Add spinach and artichokes to blender, pulsing gently to incorporate, not over blending as you want some solid artichokes and spinach remaining.
- Transfer into a small clay or baking bowl and bake in oven until heated thoroughly, about 20 minutes.
- Serve with your fave crackers, bread or veggie sticks.