I once had a nutrition professor to challenged me to add more veggies to a homemade budget-friendly pizza..
I was thinking it was good enough to have vegetables present at all, but she really wanted me to pile them on.
Ask my husband, to this day, I now have a salad on top of my pizza.
Anyone can make a healthier spinach and artichoke dip by trimming out the fat and using reduced fat cheese and increasing the protein by substituting in plain Greek yogurt.
But why not do all that and then some but not only adding more veggies but adding more flavors and more nutrients.
Hence my spinach and artichoke dip turned higher protein + less fat and twisted even more with the addition of kale & leaks.
Kale, Spinach, Leek & Artichoke Dip
Serves: 12
1 teaspoon olive oil
1 leek, thinly sliced
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 cup frozen artichoke hearts
1 cup frozen spinach leaves
2 kale leaves, julienne
8 ounces Kite Hill Plain Cream Cheese-Style Spread
8 ounces 2% plain Greek Yogurt
1/4 cup parmesan cheese, grated
Pinch of red pepper flakes
Freshly ground black pepper
Preheat the oven to 350 degree. Spray a 8×8 baking dish with non-stick spray.
In a skillet, heat the oil over medium heat and sauté the leek and garlic until softened (about 3-5 minutes).
Add the spinach, kale, and artichokes and toss to combine.
Stir in the cream cheese and Greek yogurt.
Layer the mixture into the prepared baking dish. Sprinkle with parmesan cheese and bake for about 30-35 minutes until the cheese is golden and the mixture is bubbling hot.
Serve with whole wheat pita or veggie-“crackers” like endive leaves or cucumber slices as examples.
**For a shortcut, omit the oil and grate the garlic. In a large glass (microwave safe bowl), add the garlic, leeks, artichokes, spinach, kale, cream cheese, and Greek yogurt. Microwave everything in 1 minute increments (a total of about 3 minutes) until everything is softened and hot. Stirring in between to combine all the ingredients. Sprinkle on the parmesan and stir one last time. Serve warm!**
Per serving: 90 calories, 5 grams fat, 0.5 grams saturated fat, 170 mg sodium, 5 grams carbohydrate, 1 gram fiber, 1 gram sugar, 5 grams protein.
This recipe is perfect for post holiday, higher protein snack options. It’s also great to bring to Mardi Gras parties & parades and even Superbowl parties!
Just remember to be careful when you first take it out of the oven. Lillian is kindly reminding you, “It’s hot!”
Nothing you can’t cool off though!
xo
from me and my birthday girl!
twistednutritionblog.com 