In keeping with the theme of the site and lifestyle promoted here, this is one of recipes that is just for fun. This is meant as an appetizers, or something to be enjoyed pair with out snacks for a movie party – not to be eaten by itself as a meal. That might kill you – but as part of a larger ensemble – it can just be enjoyed.

8 teaspoons butter – 3 to saute with, 3 to mix in with the cheese, 3 to stir in with the dip after it is completed.
5 cloves garlic, chopped
3/4 cup onion, chopped
1/2 cup slivered blanched almonds (optional)
4 cups fresh spinach (stir until wilted)
1 cup light mayonnaise
6 oz. cream cheese, softened
1 cup Parmesan cheese
1 can marinated artichoke hearts (about 8 oz), drained, chopped
1/2 cup sun-dried tomatoes in oil, drained and chopped
1/2 cup chopped roasted red peppers drained and chopped
ground black pepper and a few dashes of Tapatio sauce
1 Cup Monteray jack cheese over top and mixed in with the butter. -

Melt 3Tbls butter in pan and sauté garlic and onion until soft. Add almonds and cook until lightly browned. Add spinach and stir until wilted.

While cooking above – just be careful not to over cook the garlic and onion. In a large mixing bowl, stir together cheeses and mayonnaise – until creamy and thoroughly distributed. Fold in artichokes, tomatoes and peppers – and more butter

Add ground pepper to taste and few dashes of the Tapatio sauce (or other hot sauce of choice). Fold in spinach mixture.

Place in oven proof dish. Bake at 350 for 25 minutes or until hot and bubbly.

When it is done – pull it out and now you need to make a decision. If you like the buttery taste – add a little more butter and milk – until it is creamy. OR add sour cream to taste. The point here is to make it creamier. You can chose which flavor you prefer. I like the sour cream one the best I think, but both methods are delicious.

Top with fresh parsley and paprika.

Serve with pretzel sticks.

Now enjoy,

Be Healthy – Enjoy Life! (this is a little more on the enjoy side)

Matthew Stearmer

I’ve always been a fan of being able to enjoy life. So even though I’m much more careful about what I eat now I certainly enjoy just about all the food options there are out there – just in moderation.

If you’ve been reading my recipe post for long you’ll know that I do not deny myself much. There is not point to losing weight if you cannot do it on a diet that wil be sustainable for life.

So here is one that just tastes good, is only moderately unhealthy – as far as that goes – and when eater in moderation and with continual exercise can just be enjoyed and not feared.

I have to give credit to Laurie Stearmer for the original recipe on this. Although I think that mine tastes better I did pilfer the original specs from her and modified from there. So thanks Laurie!

½ lb crab meat (imitation meat fine – although I did learn that some people with sugar issues should not eat the imitation meat. It has sugars embedded in it that can give diabetic a hard time)

½ lb salad shrimp meat
 2-3 cloves  of garlic (less or more depending on your taste for it)
2 (8oz) pkg cream cheese (let it set out at least a half hour to soften)
1 cup mayonnaise or salad dressing
1 tsp dry mustard
2 green onion, chopped
Fine shredded Cheddar cheese to taste
Mix together and chill 3-4 hours. Serve with favorite crackers (they should be sturdy crackers as this is a thick dip)

 Add chopped olives, red peppers, etc., for color and variety. Adding a little milk makes it a touch smoother and creamier.
 

Be Healthy – Enjoy Life!

Matthew Stearmer