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It’s the big game. The big game means big eats. I knew coming into the party that my parents were hosting that Portillo’s Hot Dogs and Italian Beef would be served. It’s a staple in the family to prepare it at least once a year. Thankfully this year it was at one of the greatest games around. We wanted to bring something for everyone to enjoy. Taking from a dish at our nearest dinner spot, I decided to make a spinach and artichoke dip.

When it was completed and every one had a taste, there were requests for the recipe all around. By popular demand, I present the recipe. However, in the Gourmeted fashion, no recipe is ever replicated.

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Adapted from Best Spinach and Artichoke Dip

1 pkg. frozen spinach thawed [Also, drained of as much water as possible! You don't want a soggy dip.]
1 jar marinated artichokes, chopped [There's 3 types of jars at our store, so to clarify, 6.25 oz jar is plenty.]
8 oz. Philly cream cheese
8 oz. sour cream
3/4 c. shredded Parmesan cheese
8 oz. shredded Monterrey Jack cheese [I only used 4 oz, and not in the way the recipe says to use it]
1/2 onion finely chopped [I used 2 green onions instead, chopped to the bulb]
1 stick butter [8 Tablespoons is unnecessary. I used 6 Tablespoons and that was plenty and it was still perfect...]
red pepper flakes to taste [I added about a 1/2 tablespoon]
[Chef's other additions: ]
4 sprigs of fresh thyme, stripped of their stems. Example:Thyme Sprigs That’s 3, I added one more.
4 chopped straws of fresh chives

[Your stove-top heat should be a medium-low and have at least 3 quart saucepan.]Sauté onions in butter, adding ingredients while mixing and blending well after each addition. Add ingredients in this order: Spinach, Cream Cheese, Sour Cream, [Chives, Thyme],Parmesan Cheese, Artichoke Hearts, Crushed Red Pepper Flakes.Remove from heat and put in crocks or microwave dish. Top with Monterrey Jack Cheese and melt. [Instead of topping, I took the dish after blending the red pepper flakes off the heat, put the 4oz of cheese over the pot, and folded it in.]

Serve hot with chips or bread.

Yummy! A Party Favorite! You may also add Mozzarella Cheese on top and lightly brown.

The order does matter! I cannot emphasize that enough. There was no serving yield when I found the recipe, but there were 15 people at the party and enough dip to go around. Another plus to this dish, it only took 15 minutes to prepare. The spinach was only partially thawed but even with the microwave thawing and draining, waiting for the butter to melt and sauteing the green onions was enough to stall.

I encourage you all to make this for any occasion. Please leave me your raves, jeers, and suggestions! Happy eating!