Spinach Dip

I am always happy to share simple and quick recipes. Today I have a delish and luscious Spinach dip for you. I prepared this on a movie night with just a few ingredients I had in my fridge. It turned out so good that it was all gone before I could click some more photos. Well, that’s what happens when the food is too good!

This cool and creamy dip is perfect to serve at game nights and movie nights. Major crowd pleaser too. I prepared it a couple days back for my book club friends and it was gone within minutes! This is so quick and easy that you will want to make this again and again. The fresh spinach adds a beautiful flavor while the Parmesan adds a delicious sharpness and saltiness in the dip. The cream cheese and heavy cream makes it melt in your mouth silky! I have seen several spinach dip recipes online but the special ingredient which adds a beautiful aroma in this dip is the garlic. Do not skip it! Trust me, one clove is not enough to overpower the entire dip, it does however, lends a delicious taste making the dip homemade and special.

Prepare ahead:

Prepare this delicious Spinach dip ahead of time, keep it in the fridge and when your guests are there, serve it! This yummy dip can be kept refrigerated for up to three days but I would recommend you to prepare this fresh so that it tastes as good as it looks. Preparing this dip doesn’t require any elaborate list of ingredients or instructions. 

Can I freeze it?

I have never frozen this dip so recommending it is difficult. However, the best part about this dip is, it is not prepared with yogurt (which when frozen may break down and make the dip runny). Since, we are using cheese and cream, freezing it should be ok. If you are keeping it refrigerated, then I would recommend consuming it within 2-3 days. Although it tastes great right out of the fridge, I like to microwave it for 10-15 seconds just to slightly melt the cheese. When refrigerating, make sure to use a clean plastic/ glass container and cover it with plastic wrap.

How long can you leave it out?

Since homemade dips don’t have any added preservatives in them, leaving them out for a long time wont work. Remember, the cheese, cream and spinach are all perishable items. When you are preparing the dip for a large number of people make sure to divide it into 2-3 portions. That way, you can easily refill whenever the dip is all used up. And everyone will be getting fresh dip even after several hours (I do this every-time we are hosting a game viewing party). Make sure not to let the dip sit at room temperature longer than 3-4 hours.

What can I serve with it?

• Hawaiian/ French/ Sourdough Bread
• Snacks
• Chips
• Crackers
• Baguette
• Tortilla chips
• Crudités (assorted Veggies like Celery Sticks, Carrot Sticks, Cucumber Sticks, Bell Pepper Strips, Broccoli, Cauliflower, Fennel and Asparagus Spears)
• Sausage
• Crostini
• Pretzels
• As a spread on sandwiches

So give this dip a try and then post on my Instagram #lifewithoutalu with the photo and your comments/ input.

Ingredients:

• Spinach – 1 small pack
• Butter - 1 ½ - 2 tablespoons, unsalted 
• Onion – ¼ cup, finely chopped 
• Paprika/ Red Chili Powder – ½ teaspoon 
• Cream Cheese - 8 ounces 
• Heavy Cream – ¾ cup (or more) 
• Salt – to taste (about ¼ teaspoon)
• Freshly Ground Black Pepper – ½ teaspoon 
• Parmigiano Reggiano - 1/3 cup, grated
• Garlic - 1 big clove, crushed

Directions:

• Wash the spinach well.
• Squeeze as much liquid out of the spinach as possible with a clean dishtowel or paper towels. 
• Melt butter in a big pan over medium-high heat. 
• Sauté the Onion with the Garlic until soft, 3–5 minutes. Add ¼ teaspoon of Salt. Mix well.
• Stir in Paprika and cook until fragrant, about 30 seconds. 
• Add the Spinach, Cream Cheese, Heavy Cream and Black Pepper and cook, stirring often, until everything is warmed through and slightly reduced, 8–10 minutes; the spinach will wilt in the meantime.

• Mix ½ cup of the Parmigiano Reggiano. Taste to adjust the Salt.

• Transfer to a serving bowl and garnish with the remaining Parmesan cheese. Serve immediately with snacks/ chips.

With the football season coming in, it is always best to have a couple of different types of dips at hand. Try these dip recipes as well:

• Indian Spiced Tzatziki Sauce (Cucumber Raita)
• Dhania Chutney (Cilantro Chutney)
• Creamy Cream Cheese Dip
• Bread Dipping Oil with Parmesan and Herbs
• Guacamole with Goat Cheese and Bacon
• 5-minute Garlic Aioli
• Sour Cream Dip
• Mayo Mustard Sauce with Herbs
• Fresh Homemade Salsa