Crock Pot Spinach & Artichoke Dip

I'm not really sure why I waited so long to post this recipe.  I made it as a snack for the Superbowl and got some pretty great feedback.  It was just my husband, his brother, and me for the actual game, but I kept the leftovers in the fridge and when my family came to visit, I pulled it out and reheated it.  It was gone in no time and my brother even asked me for the recipe!

This is a super easy dip and well worth the minimal time it takes to make it!  We served it on toasted french baguette slices and with tortilla chips.  Both are fabulous. :)

It's as easy as mixing up most of the ingredients....

...then topping with the spinach and cooking until it's creamy. Easy peasy! :)

SPINACH DIP

8 oz. fresh spinach, roughly chopped

8-16 oz. cream cheese (depending on how creamy you want it)

12 oz. artichoke hearts, drained and chopped

8 oz. mozzarella cheese, grated

1 c. fresh Parmesan cheese, grated

5 cloves garlic, minced

1/4 tsp. white pepper

Combine all ingredients, except spinach, in the crock pot.
Stir as best you can.
Place spinach on top and cover.
Cook on HIGH for 2 hours, stirring occasionally to mix spinach in evenly with melting ingredients.
Once it's all melted and creamy, it's ready to go!

Serve while still warm with tortilla chips or toasted baguette slices.

Antipasto Skewers w/balsamic glaze

Happy belated Easter, everyone! I know, for me at least, this year has been flying by quickly! There are endless things to do and it seems nearly impossible to find the time to sit and blog.  I mean, I definitely get a chance to sit, but by the time I get everything done that I need to do, I'm exhausted and too lazy to do anything other than mindless channel surfing. Unless The Middle is on, then that's where it stays. I have a slight obsession lately. I can't decide if I like it so much because it always makes me laugh, because Axl 's mannerisms remind me of my brother, or because it's just a relatable show that seems more like a reality show than any actual "reality" show. It really doesn't matter, I guess. I just like it. :)

Anyway, back to the blogging bit. I made these for Easter at my parents' house.  They were super easy to throw together, I was able to make them the night before, and then when we were ready to serve them on Sunday, I loaded them on the platter and drizzled 'em with the balsamic glaze.

Super easy and they were a big hit!

 I liked how they were so versatile. You can really just find what you like best and put it together. I decided to make mine with two of each ingredient (besides the basil, I only had one leaf on each skewer) to make it easier for "choosing", but if you know someone hates olives, it's easy to accomodate. :)

As far as the glaze goes, I just tweaked it until it tasted how I wanted it to.  I just kept testing it by drizzling it on a piece and trying it. I may have tested it more than necessary...hehe.

Ingredients

three cheese tortellini

cherry or grape tomatoes

deli-style hard salami, thinly sliced

fresh mozzarella, balled or cubed

fresh basil leaves

black olives

balsamic vinegar

olive oil

skewers

Directions

Prepare tortellini according to package directions.

Set aside to cool.

Choose which order you want things and start skewering!

Cover and refrigerate until serving.

When ready to serve, mix balsamic vinegar and olive oil to your liking. (I did about 1/3 c. vinegar with a splash of olive oil.)

Drizzle over skewers and serve.

(With the extra pieces, I sliced the basil leaves up and tossed it all in a bowl and drizzled with the glaze. Very yummy salad!)