Monday 15 October 2012

Autumn, Crusty Bread and a Wicked Spinach Dip



We're still crushing on fall despite the fading autumn colours.  There are less fiery reds & golds brightening the landscape as the leaves fall from the trees and reveal shades of brown.  Combined with grey windy skies, it's beginning to feel decidedly more wintry and a lot less like the end of summer.  The warm & sunny fall weather of the past few weeks is giving way to cold & rainy days that are getting shorter as the nights grow longer.  The furnace has been turned on and the fireplace saw some action this weekend.

Hubby made some amazing pulled-pork in the crock pot on Sunday and as we were piling it onto fresh crusty rolls we were reminded of the spinach dip I often make and how amazing it is with fresh bread.  This is a dip I've made for years that everyone loves and asks for again and again.... even after filling up on pulled-pork sandwiches.


Knorr® Spinach Dip
Adapted from Knorr's Classic Spinach Dip Recipe
 1 package (10 oz / 300g) frozen chopped spinach, thawed and drained
        1 container (16 oz / 500ml) sour cream
        1 cup Hellmann's® mayonnaise
        1 package Knorr® vegetable soup mix
        1 can (5 oz / 140g) water chestnuts, drained and chopped
        ¼ cup finely diced red onion

A few things about how I prepare this:

Squeeze as much water as you can out of the thawed spinach.  I usually put it in a fine mesh strainer when it’s thawed and push it into the mesh to force out as much liquid as possible.  I do not cook the spinach.  Please make sure you use chopped spinach.  Frozen whole spinach will not work... trust me.

I use sour cream, but plain Greek yogurt can be substituted.  I have not tried this.  Someone might notice and I’d have a spinach dip mutiny on my hands.  My family really loves this stuff and it has to be just the way I’ve ALWAYS made it.

Mayonnaise.  Only MAYONNAISE.  Not Miracle Whip.  Miracle Whip is salad dressing.  It is NOT mayonnaise.  They cannot be used interchangeably.  Not ever.

Knorr brand vegetable soup mix is what works best in this.  I’ve tried other brands when the Knorr has been sold out (which happens a lot) and it just isn't the same.  This stuff is like crack and if it’s on the shelves, buy a few… one can never be too prepared for the next Knorr vegetable soup mix shortage.  I roll over the package a few times with a rolling pin before I open it to crush the soup mix into a powder… I think it helps to intensify the flavour.  I chop up the red onion and water chestnuts very fine for the same reason.  Some recipes call for green onion instead of red onion.   Again, I don’t dare mess with my version of this recipe and the red onion adds more flavour.

Once you’ve got it all mixed up well in a bowl, cover it and let it sit in the fridge for a while so the flavours can blend.  I usually give it a couple of hours and then let it sit at room temperature before serving as it tastes better when it isn’t ice cold.  If I’m worried about a nice presentation, I’ll hollow out a sourdough or pumpernickel loaf to serve it in, but usually they’re digging in as soon as the lid comes off the bowl.  I always make sure to have plenty of bread for dipping… a couple of sliced French baguettes are perfect.  Cut up veggies are yummy too!

Doubling this recipe is a very good idea… or it’ll be gone before you know it.


If you're feeling really ambitious, make a couple of baguettes from scratch.  It's easy and they're so much better than store-bought.... crusty on the outside, chewy on the inside.  I mix up this recipe in  my breadmaker and then divide it into two loaves, rise & bake.

Crusty French Bread Recipe from food.com



Thank you for featuring me!

Daily Dish Magazine  Photobucket Semi Homemade Mom   PIN MEme  BBB

47 comments:

  1. MM I love spin dip! Thanks for the awesome recipe and for the follow! Following you back now :) Have a great day!!

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  2. Hi Jenn, I see you are now following my blog and I wanted to come over and say thanks! I am now following your blog too! I hope you will come back and visit often. Would lov eit if you would link up your recipes on Friday. We have a wonderful party going on the.

    I have never tried Knorr, but you make it sound yummy!

    Cynthia at http://FeedingBig.blogspot.com

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  3. I love this dip. I've been making it since I was a teenager! Looks delicious. Would love for you to join us on Foodie Friends Friday! Come on over! Enjoy your day.

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  4. Oh I love Spinach Dip. I always buy the store made. Can't wait to give it a try.

    (Please stop by my blog, just getting back into blogging.)

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  5. This dip looks amazing! Your picture is great. I just want to reach through and grab a bite. Thanks so much for sharing at Whimsy Wednesdays.

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  6. This is a wonderful dish! Looks great and delicious

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  7. I may have to whip this up for my next game watch! Pinning for the future!

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  8. I pinned! this recipe looks wicket good!

    Happy Thanksgiving!

    hugs ~ Crystelle

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  9. My friend always makes this recipe for get togethers, I love it! Thanks for joining us at the CHQ Blog Hop - hope to see you again next week!

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  10. This looks sooo good... spinach dip is one of my favourite things! I'm a new follower from Thursdays Obsessions. I hope you can pop by my blog sometime and follow if you like :)

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  11. I LOVE spinach dip!! This looks fantastic! New follower here from the link party! Would love for you to visit me and join my site as well!

    riversrecipereview.blogspot.com

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  12. Great recipe for an awesome spinach dip, love that you put it in a bread bowl. Just dropping in from the Friendly Friday Blog Hop to follow and I am glad I did. I am pinning this:) Have a great day and so hope to see you over at my place:)

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  13. I am positively drooling! Dip in a breadbowl--let's just eat it like soup! :) Yum! Thank you so much for visiting and adding your idea to the Thanksgiving Treats and Fall Fun Linky Party. I’m one of your co-hosts from OneCreativeMommy.com. If you linked up from one of the other co-host sites, I hope you’ll stop by my site for a visit.

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  14. Hi Jenn,
    This is a great appetizer in that beautiful bread. Have a great weekend and thank you so much for sharing with Full Plate Thursday.
    Come Back Soon!
    Miz Helen

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  15. This sounds delicious. Thanks for sharing on Foodie Friends Friday and remember to come back and vote on Sunday... Love you leaf picture too...Gorgeous.

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  16. Hi, I'm in Australia and don't have the brands you mention. Would any vegetable soup mix work or is there something special about the one you listed? Thanks! This looks great.
    We'd love you to add it to our linky:
    http://meltingmoments.info/?p=3506

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    Replies
    1. Any dry packet of vegetable soup mix would work, I just find the Knorr has the best flavour. It's a German brand... perhaps a European food store might carry it!

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    2. Thank you! I will give it a go. Thanks for linking up with us too :)

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  17. This looks and sounds so so delicious!
    Thank you for sharing this on Wednesday Extravaganza.
    Come back tomorrow to vote and maybe win a spot on my Wall of Fame!

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  18. Looks so yummy! Thanks so much for linking to the Thanksgiving Treats & Fall Fun party! I'm one of your co-hosts. Have a great day!
    Leslie
    House on the Way

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  19. This looks seriously yummy!! The bread bowl is awesome! I'd love it if you would share this project at the blog hop I'm co-hosting right now at http://www.thriftyrebel.com/2012/11/sundayfunday-blog-hop.html

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  20. I'd love to have you join my PIN MEme Linky Party that starts Friday at 8am because this is very Pin Worthy! I'm going to pin it now!

    Diana
    Diana Rambles
    Bento Blog Network
    Link Rink

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  21. Seems like a great recipe to keep on hand especially with all the holiday parties starting up soon!

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  22. Looks great, thanks for sharing! Found you via Mealtime Mondays and I'd love it if you'd share this at my Meatless Monday recipe hop: http://jessica-healthymommyhealthybaby.blogspot.com/2012/11/meatless-monday-cran-blueberry-mini.html. I hope to see you there ;)

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  23. This dip looks wonderful. Thank you for sharing. Partying from Cherished Handmade.

    We may have met by chance...but we become friends by choice.
    http://simpleesue.com/try-one-new-recipe-a-week-mexican-pizza

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  24. Great recipe.Thanks so much for linking up to the Thanksgiving Treats & Fall Festival Party! I also host a weekly linky party on Tuesday called The Gathering Spot and would love it if you'd link up sometime. Have a wonderful evening.

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  25. Oh, this is my weakness!! LOL I love it. I can't wait to try this recipe. Thank you so much for sharing again this week at A Bouquet of Talent. I love seeing your latest creations. :)

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  26. Congratulations! This is the food featured for Pin Me at Diana Rambles this week. I pinned you again and tweeted your win!
    https://twitter.com/FreeStyleMama/status/266898478368694272
    Please stop by and grab a featured button from my sidebar.

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  27. MmmM - thanks for posting this recipe. My husband LOVES spinach dip. I'm glad you linked up at Romance on a dime!!

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  28. Oh My GREAT GOODNESS!!! I've been looking for a trustful Spinach Dip Recipe!! I will try this this weekend!!!
    Thank you so much for linking up this Friday!
    Have a beautiful weekend!
    -jesika

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  29. I love spinach dip, but never made it myself. This sounds great.

    Garrett @TheGrowingPatch
    http://www.growingpatch.com

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  30. Hi, This dip in the bread is calling my name. It will be featured in the Recipe Box. Thanks for sharing with us.

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  31.  Hi, great post. I found you through the blog hop. Please stop  by and say hi when you get a chance.  .Be sure and check out my new Blog Hop that started. It's Weekly Goals Link Up. It's a great way to stay on track. Have a great day. :) Now following you. 

    Here's the link for it if you would like to check it out.
    http://lenettacarnes.blogspot.com/2013/01/weekly-goals-linkup-1.html

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  32. YUM! We love dips here and this would be perfect for our office Open House next week.
    Thanks for sharing at Tuesdays with a Twist! Looking forward to seeing what you share this week.

    http://back2basichealth.blogspot.com/2013/06/tuesdays-with-twist-9-party-time.html

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  33. I'm visiting from Pinterest Power party. I was just talking about spinach dip today, and this looks amazing! I will definitely be pinning it to try.
    ~Erin @ Erin’s 2 Cents

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  34. I love spinach dip - thanks for joining us at Marvelous Monday - I'll be sharing this on FB this week!

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    Replies
    1. Thank you Deb... and thanks again for hosting such a great party!

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  35. Yum x1000!
    Now how do I do that in paleo?
    Thanks for hooking up to the Hump Day Hook Up

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  36. Looks DELICIOUS! I totally pinned it.
    Which means there is 60% chance I will actually make it :)

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  37. Jen, I'm so glad this post was featured in your sidebar today...I have had spinach dip on my mind and didn't have a recipe I was completely happy with. This one sounds perfect, and I love Knorr packaged mixes.

    Hope you're having a great week!

    Love, Joy
    Yesterfood

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  38. I love spinach dip! That bread looks fabulous, too. Thanks for sharing at Food on Friday!

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  39. G'day! Great snack! Great party dish!
    Thanks for sharing as part of Foodie Friends Friday Snack Party!
    Cheers! Joanne

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  40. Dear Jenn, Thank you for sharing this delicious dip on Foodie Friends Friday! Have a wonderful weekend. Blessings, Catherine

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  41. Stopping by to let you know that YOUR recipe is featured on Daily Dish Magazine! http://www.foodiefriendsfridaydailydish.com/favorite-recipes-21/

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  42. Fab recipe AND love the Camus quotation - spot on, Alice @ Mums Make Lists

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  43. I'm a spinich dip addict for sure!!! I love Knorrs but I love branching out too. Will need to give your recipe a try! Thank you so much for linking up with us at #ThrowbackThursday hope to see you again this week!

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  44. Thanks for linking up to Merry Monday! Sharing on our MM Pinterest board! Have a great week!
    Kim

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