Hot Artichoke Dip

Aren't artichokes a weird looking vegetable? My children love it. My husband will not touch it. I made this recently for my family and there were no leftovers. If you are looking for a quick appetizer and you have a food processor, I recommend making this dip.

My oldest daughter asked for artichokes for supper one night and I said sure since I had no other plans. Just before I started making supper, her friend wanted to eat over. Her friend was always asking to eat over. I said sure but we were having just artichokes.The friend said she didn't care. Well, she never asked to eat over again.

Hot Artichoke Dip

2 (14 oz) cans of artichoke hearts

1 (8 oz) cream cheese (I used low fat)

1 cup mayonnaise

1/4 tsp cayenne pepper

2 chopped green onions

1 cup grated Parmesan cheese

1 package of defrosted spinach

salt and pepper (to taste)

1 cup of 5 Cheese Italian Blend.

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

2. Drain the artichokes and squeeze the excess liquid from the spinach. Set aside.

3. Add one can of artichokes, the cream cheese, mayonnaise, cayenne pepper, green onions.

4. Pulse about 7 times.

5. Add the parmesan cheese, the 2nd can of artichokes, spinach, salt, and pepper.

6. Pulse about 3 times.

7.  Pour the mixture into a oven safe dish. ( I used an 8x8 glass dish)

8. Top with the Italian cheese blend.

9. Bake 20 minutes until heated through and the cheese is golden brown.

Serve with chips or french bread.

Adapted from the recipe in The Pioneer Woman Cooks

Did you already know............
-One artichoke plant can produce up to 30 chokes of different sizes. (I guess I know what I should plant next year.)

-One large artichiokes only have 25 calories.

-The first time I had an artichoke was in California which isn't surprising since Califorinia produces 100% of the US artichoke crop.