Artichoke Spinach Dip

We have made a few different versions of artichoke spinach dip, but this is the best by far! The amounts are not exact, so make it how you think you would like it best!

INGREDIENTS:
Small amount of Olive Oil
14 oz can artichoke hearts, drained and chopped
16 oz cream cheese
Spinach (fresh or frozen, as much or as little as you want)
Parmesan cheese (roughly 1/4-1/2 cup, but again as much or as little as you want)
Minced Garlic (about 1.5 teaspoons, more or less to taste)

DIRECTIONS:
In large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium-low.  Brown garlic.
Add cream cheese. Stir frequently. Once melted, add in spinach. Cook for a few minutes, then add artichokes and Parmesan Cheese. Taste and add more garlic if desired.
Serve with tortilla chips, crackers, toasted bread, or whatever else sounds good!

NOTES:
I used about 4.5-6 oz frozen spinach. If using frozen, be sure to squeeze out all excess liquid before putting in skillet.

Hot Antipasto Poor Boys

Anything with artichokes has to be yummy!!

INGREDIENTS:
1/4 cup Italian salad dressing
2 Tablespoons grated Parmesan Cheese
14 oz can artichokes, drained and quartered
1 cup quartered cherry tomatoes
5 oz thinly sliced pepperoni
2.25 oz can sliced black olives, drained
Hoagie Rolls (3-4)
1/2 cup mozzarella cheese

DIRECTIONS:
In large bowl, mix Italian dressing and grated Parmesan cheese together. Add the artichokes, tomatoes, pepperoni, and black olives. Toss to coat.
Slice each roll in half. Place cut side up on baking sheet. Broil 3-4 minutes until golden brown.
Spread filling over the buns. Sprinkle with mozzarella. Broil another 3-4 minutes, til filling is hot.

NOTES:
We use 4 hoagie rolls, and make 2 of them with a small amount of filling for the kids. If it was only adults eating, I think 3 would be better.

Thin Crust Chicken Bacon Artichoke Pizza

Similar to Papa Murphy's Chicken Bacon Artichoke deLite pizza.

INGREDIENTS:

CRUST:
1/2 cup warm water
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 1/3 cups all-purpose or bread flour
1 teaspoon dry yeast
SAUCE:
1/4 cup Italian salad dressing
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
dash black pepper

TOPPINGS:
1/2 cup cubed chicken breast (I use Oscar Myer Fresh Deli chicken)
1 cup baby spinach leaves
6 oz marinated artichoke hearts, cut into small pieces
2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
3 slices turkey bacon, cooked, broken into small pieces
1/4 cup crumbled feta cheese

DIRECTIONS:

In medium bowl, mix warm water and salt. Add yeast and 1 cup of flour. Mix together, then add 1/3 cup of flour. Knead into a sticky dough, adding a little more water if needed. Let dough rest, covered with a towel, for at least 10 minutes.  

 Butter a 16 inch round pizza pan. With buttery hands, spread dough thinly over pan. (It might seem like there isn't enough dough, but it works, be diligent!) 

Mix the Italian dressing, garlic powder, salt and pepper together. Spread over the crust. Let sit for at least 15 minutes.

Put toppings over the sauce in the order listed.

Bake @425 for about 15 minutes, until crust is browned and cheese is bubbly. Watch it carefully, the crust burns easily since its thin!

adapted from here