holiday quickies

Parties abound come holiday time and since everyone ends up spending all their spare cash on gifts, the festivities often take on a potluck kind of feel.  So, whether you're hosting or just attending the party, you'll want something quick and easy to share with the rest of the party people.  And let's face it, a bottle of booze isn't the same as a homemade treat.  How about something warm and creamy with just the right amount of heat?  That's exactly what you get with my baked mess of veggies and creamy goodness.  It's always a hit a hit at parties and since it's served warm, people think it's a much more complicated dish than it really is.  Plus, the green spinach and the red pepper flakes are totally Christmas colors, so it's appropriately festive!

warm spinach artichoke dip
ingredients
16 oz frozen artichoke hearts
16 oz frozen chopped spinach
1/2 c sour cream
1/2 c mayonaise
12 oz cream cheese
2/3 c plus a little extra grated parmesan cheese
1/2 tsp garlic powder
1/2 tsp ground black pepper
1/2 tsp salt
1 tsp red pepper flakes
splash of hot sauce
directions
1. Boil artichokes and spinach until tender, then drain completely and put in a deep casserole dish.  Add all other ingredients and mix well.  Sprinkle extra parmesan cheese and red pepper flakes in top.
2. Bake for 20 minutes at 350.  Serve warm with tortilla chips, sliced veggies, fritos, tiny pieces of toast, pretty much whatever you like to dip.

Be prepared to pass out the recipe to other curious partygoers and have a couple copies on hand.  If you want to get all extra fancy (like me,) you'll have them written out on custom recipe cards from my gal Lauren of Two Turtle-Doves stationary.  These also make a great holiday gift for the chef or baker in your life -