Game Day: Dairy Free Cheesy Spinach and Artichoke Dip
Dairy-Free Cheesy Spinach and Artichoke Dip
Parties can be difficult for people living with dietary restrictions and allergies. At best, we're often relegated to the sad veggie tray, and even then, may have to be wary of cross-contamination.
What if you could wow your friends with a warm, cheesy, and secretly dairy-free dip? You'll be the life of your party, and also not die or get ill, which is great.
Sound like a fantasy? Like the Lions actually making it into the playoffs? Let's find out if this is for real.
Methodology
Recipe source: Minimalist Baker
Dairy-free modifications:
None needed! This recipe is already dairy free and vegan. We're just putting it to the test.
Procedures and Hacks:
Note: Of course, I am my mother's daughter, and sometimes a recipe is just a starting point. I will include my attempts at some convenience and time-saving hacks as we go.
Prep work:
Soak your cashews for an hour in boiling water, or in fridge overnight per instructions.
Ready to cook:
1. I am not using a million different dishes. I have a party to get ready for, too! Therefore, I popped my spinach and drained artichokes with a little olive oil into the dish in which I later planned to bake the dip.
2. Meanwhile, I blended up the creamy ingredients. This included the soaked and drained cashews, almond milk, nutritional yeast, salt, and pepper. Instead of actually sauteing garlic and shallots, I also added garlic and onion powder to the mix. Note: it was difficult to tell how well-blended this was. In the end, it was still a little chunky, but it was not very perceptible (JND, for you psychophysics nerds).
3. Now, your spinach and artichokes should be warmed, with the spinach wilted. When you pull it out of the oven, mix it up a bit, and you'll see the spinach wilt some more.
4. Add your creamy mixture to the veggies.
5. Bake! After 5 minutes, I found the mixture still seemed thin, so I ended up cooking it for the maximum 8 minutes as recommended in the recipe. I did not add the optional bread crumbs, but I'm sure that would have been delicious too.
6. Serve hot with veggies and chips, or reheat per instructions at 350 or in the microwave.
Results
Initially, I was a little disappointed with the thin texture, but after sitting for a few minutes it definitely firmed up a bit to be a true dip.
It was deliciously creamy and a little briny, with a hint of cheesy flavor from the nutritional yeast.
And the Lions won that day.
Discussion
If the party won't give you dairy free cheesy dips, give one to the party! Be the change you want to see in the world!
This recipe is legit. Too often, I am fooled into excitement over a vegan or dairy-free recipe only to end up disappointed in the taste, texture, or both. Not this time! We didn't have to make any modifications to the ingredients, only a few shortcuts for time and convenience.
If you really want to impress, I would definitely consider adding the breadcrumbs and vegan parmesan, if you can find it, to really add to the texture and flavor (I just found these at Whole Foods, will report back soon). But trust me, it was great all on it's own and will definitely be repeated.
Now, do all game day treats and TV ads have to be inclusive and sensitive to allergies? I'd love to know your thoughts on the latest "controversy," and definitely let me know what you'll be eating at your next game day, party, or tailgate!