November | 2010 | KarmaFree Cooking

Archive | November, 2010

Spinach Artichoke Dip

The other day I went to Olive Garden and I wanted to order an appetizer sooooo badly. But I knew that…

1) I would not be able to eat a salad, soup, entrée and an appetizer in one sitting

2) the appetizers in these restaurants are not necessarily the healthiest ones.

So now that my sister has given birth and many friends and family are visiting her to see the new baby, Titi Madelyn is taking care of the kitchen. People in this house are not-vegetarian, but they have been the last few days because I will cook, but only things I am able to eat too.

The weekend is when people are mostly visiting and I am making dips left and right to at least have something for people to nibble on while they visit. Last Sunday it was my Veggie Dip – something I can make without even thinking, if I have all the ingredients. Last night I made my Tomato Basil Bruschetta mix.

Today… my version of a Spinach Artichoke Dip. I do not count calories… that’s not my thing. I am not really sure if it’s a “healthier” version of what they serve at Olive Garden. But at least I do know all the ingredients it went into making it. Super easy too… great to make ahead and just pop in the oven when guests and visitors arrive.

SPINACH ARTICHOKE DIP

1 package frozen spinach, thawed and squeezed dry

1 package of frozen artichokes, thawed and chopped

1 small yellow onion, diced

1 ½ cup Pecorino Romano cheese, grated

1 package cream cheese, room temperature

1 cup plain yogurt

¾ cup eggless mayonnaise

About ¼ cup of Olive Oil

Salt and Pepper to taste

Garlic Powder to taste

In a large bowl combine all ingredients. Mix well.
Transfer to an oven safe dish and bake at 375F for about 30 minutes.

Serve warm with tortilla chips, crackers or toasted bread.

Tags: artichokes, cream cheese, spinach, yogurt

Comments 6 Comments
Categories appetizers

Healthy Lifestyle Change for NOVEMBER – Do not buy any frozen meals or that have been cooked a long time ago.

1 Nov

For exactly the same reason why you should not be drinking sodas anymore, frozen prepared meals have little to no nutritional value. These meals, even thou they seem to be a real advancement in modern technology, in reality they’re a step backwards in terms of health and nutrition.

Why?

Frozen meals – a la Lean Cuisine, Healthy Choice, and all the like – are meals that were cooked at very high temperatures really long time ago. These two elements make their nutritional value close to null. They’re basically hay that fills up your stomach, but doesn’t really nourish you. If you read the labels closely, you’ll see they’re laden with artificial preservatives and sodium that only makes you retain water and affects your blood pressure and the way the heart functions.

Remember that this new lifestyle program is geared to getting used to eating foods that are healthier for us and will help us lead a healthier life.

But don’t fret… there are still many frozen things you can still enjoy:

Frozen vegetables – super convenient to use instead of any canned vegetable
Frozen Fruits – great for desserts, sorbets and smoothies, and even better if you freeze them yourself
Fried Plantains and Tostones – I like the King’s Crown brand and they’re a real help in the kitchen sometimes or you can prepare your own.
I bread Eggplant Milanese and freeze it to be able to enjoy them anytime I am hungry…
Frozen Breads – excellent when you’re in need to a sub fix…
Ice creams and Sherbets – but always eat these in moderation…

Here are a few recipes of dishes made with frozen ingredients that are as easy to prepare as placing a Lean Cuisine in the oven, but I guarantee you, they’ll be much more delicious and nutritious:

Spinach Empanada 4