CREAMED SPINACH & ARTICHOKE DIP Recipe - How to make CREAMY SPINACH & ARTICHOKES

Healthy dipping for SUPER BOWL WEEKEND..."CREAMY SPINACH & ARTICHOKE DIP"...serve warm with your favorite tortilla chips and/or sliced vegetables!! A satisfying snack or side dish for any day of the year!!

CREAMY SPINACH & ARTICHOKE:

• 1 (14-ounce) can artichoke
• 1 1/2 cups 2 percent milk
• 1 1/2 tablespoons olive oil
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 1/4 teaspoon white pepper
• 1 1/4 teaspoons kosher salt
• 1 tablespoon butter
• 1 pound fresh baby spinach
• 1 1/2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 4 ounces Neufchatel, or low-fat cream cheese

1. In a 12-inch skillet over, medium-heat, melt butter with olive oil. Lower heat. Add minced garlic and simmer for 3 minutes. Add flour. whisking constantly, for 2 more minutes. Slowly add milk, increase heat to medium-high, whisking until mixture begins to bubble. Remove pan from heat. Add in cream cheese, white pepper and 1/4 of salt. Whisk until cheese has melted. Cover cheese sauce.
2. Drain artichokes well. Transfer to cutting board, using chefs knife, chop artichoke. Transfer to bowl. Set aside.
3. In a 4-quart sauce pan, over medium-high heat, add 1/4 cup water and remaining salt (1 teaspoon). Add all of baby spinach. Cook until wilted (about 6 minutes or less). Transfer to sieve. Once cooled, using hands, squeeze out excess water. Transfer to cutting, using chefs knife, chop spinach. Transfer to bowl. Set aside.
4. Reheat cheese sauce, over medium-heat, add chopped artichokes & spinach. Combine well until heated through. Add to serving dish & serve.

TIP: Add Spinach & Artichoke to heat proof dish. Cover with tin foil. Keep mixture heated in preheated 175 degree oven for up to 1 hour.