elery is also making artichoke and spinach dip, he loves the stuff. This is the recipe he uses, but I think they are all pretty similar. This recipe makes quite a lot.

Artichoke Spinach Dip

1/4 cup butter
1 (10 ounce) package frozen chopped spinach, partially thawed
1 (14 ounce) can artichoke hearts, drained and chopped
2 (8 ounce) packages cream cheese, softened
2 (16 ounce) containers sour cream
1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
garlic salt to taste

Directions:
1. Melt butter in a large saucepan over medium heat. Stir in the spinach and artichoke hearts. Cook until tender, about 5 minutes.
2. Mix cream cheese and sour cream into the spinach mixture. Stir in Parmesan cheese and garlic salt. Cook, stirring occasionally, until thickened, 10 to 15 minutes. Serve warm

Date bars, oh yum, I love 'em. I've had this recipe nearly forever.

Classic Date Bars

2-1/2 cups pitted dates, cut up
1/4 cup sugar
1-1/2 cups water
1/3 cup coarsely chopped walnuts, optional
1-1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1-1/2 cups quick-cooking oats
1 cup packed brown sugar
1/2 cup butter, softened
1 tablespoon water

In a saucepan, combine dates, sugar and water. Cook, stirring frequently, until very thick. Stir in walnuts; cool. Sift the flour, salt and baking soda together in a large bowl; add oats and brown sugar. Cut in butter until mixture is crumbly. Sprinkle water over mixture; stir lightly. Pat half into a greased 13-in. x 9-in. baking pan. Spread with date mixture; cover with remaining oat mixture and pat lightly. Bake at 350° for 35-40 minutes or until lightly browned. Cool on a wire rack. Cut into bars.

Yield: 40 bars.

Annie

Yay! Thanks Annie!

You are so welcome. Now, if they are good, will your boss give you a raise?

It seems only right, LOL...

Annie

Thanks, Annie for the date bar recipe. Can't wait to try it. This is my recipe for hot spinach and artichoke dip (actually it's Alton Browns)

Hot Spinach and Artichoke Dip

1 C. thawed, chopped frozen spinach
1 1/2 C. thawed, frozen, chopped artichokes (can use canned)
6 oz. cream cheese
1/4 C sour cream
1/4 C mayonnaise
1/3 C grated pamesan cheese
1/2 tsp red pepper flakes
1/4 tsp kosher salt
1/4 tsp. garlic Powder (I use 1 garlic clove crushed with the kosher salt instead of the garlic powder.)

Bring to boil, spinach and artichokes in 1 C. water.* Cook until tender. Drain and discard liquid. Heat cream cheese in microwave 1 minute until hot and soft. Stir in rest of ingredients. Bake 350 about 10 minutes. Serve hot.
*When using canned artichokes I just nuke the spinach, drain and mix with chopped artichokes

I also like this recipe:

Artichoke Spread

1 14 oz. can artichoke hearts, drained and chopped
1 4.5 oz can chopped green chilies, drained
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 C mayonnaise
1 C. grated parmesan cheese
40 baguette slice

Mix together first five ingredients. Spread on baguette slices. Broil until bubbly. Serve hot.

Well Annie, I like your idea, but considering I am just the nanny for her 1.5 yr old daughter...it probably won't be announced that I made it. ;) She actually is getting a promotion for her job in the next few months, I am thinking a raise might come my way. Hint, hint!
Thank you for your contributions too, Dottie! I think I'll copy the spread recipe for her as well. That looks like something that would make her party appetizer list. Hey maybe for her next party I can make those! Hehe, maybe I'll make them at my own party..

This one always showed up at our pottery class on raku night - no artichokes but don't see why you can't add.

1 - 10 oz pkg of frozen chopped spinach - cook/drain
1 - 8 oz pkg softened cream cheese
1/2 cup mayo
8 green onions chopped
1/3 cup parmsian cheese
2 teas. lemon juice
8 slices cooked, crumbled bacon

combine all in casserole, cook at 350 for 15 min's.

This is really making me want some!! But I refuse to rejoin the mad crowds at the grocery store for it.

My favourite recipe is similar to Dottie's (no spinach)
it's baked and then used as a dip/spread. I call it "Cup, Cup and a Can! )One of my favourite emergency recipes. Simple, fast and yummy!

Cup, Cup and a Can

1 cup of mayo (the real stuff or it will be way to oily)
1 cup of fresh Parmesan , grated
1 can of artichokes, drained and rough chopped

Combine, place in small baking dish. Bake at 375 until bubbly. Serve with baguette slices or crackers.

Note : can be changed up by using old white cheddar instead of parmesan and crab instead of artichokes...oh YUM