Saturday, January 14, 2012

Girls Big Night Out ( staying in! ) and Artichoke Spinach Cream Cheese Dip

When you are having a Girls Night Out with lots of dancing and singing and delicious food, make sure to include this delicious Artichoke Spinach Cream Cheese Dip! I was so lucky to be invited to a Girls Night out for my birthday. I made my cherry cheesecake ( see recipe index) and Artichoke Spinach Cream Cheese Dip, perfect for a cold winters eve!
This is where I was invited for Girls Night Out! You won't see this in L.A.!


Gretchen's Fish Chowder oh my gosh, just heavenly, I would love a bowl right now. Gretchen is an amazing cook and baker, everything she makes is made with love. She made about 5 gallons of soup! There were 4 of us! My kind of cook! Are you sure you aren't Italian Gretchy?


Dave's amazing homemade French bread. Now I wouldn't say I was a such bread snob, okay well I am...so when Dave says he is going to bake bread, I am first in line. Laura and Dave are always so generous and deliver loaves piping hot out of the oven, you have to be quick if you want a slice, which I always do slathered with fresh churned butter, not that I make that or anything, a girl can dream, right? Don't leave the bread unattended at any time, B Zach is in the house!


Meredith's famous Caesar Salad please cut the onions properly Nettie!


Pull up a sofa and and a book!! No way, there will be lots of laughing, scrumptious food and dancing and singing, it's Girls Night out!!


Look at those chunks of seafood and fish and yummy potatoes. Nom Nom Nom!!




What a special meal prepared with love. I will always have fond memories of our special night out!










My Cherry Cheesecake with two candles, one for Laura and one for me. Happy Birthday Laura!













Okay! So when we are together it's not all about the food, well for me it is...but my other passion besides food is dancing and we did lots of it with Dance Revolution!!


Artichoke Spinach Cream Cheese Dip - After dancing app!
Dance, dance, dance! Sing, sing, sing until you throat is so sore from yelling, you think it's singing until you play the video that Meredith taped, thank you so much Meredith for opening your home to all of us, I had a most wonderful time! Wish I knew how to post videos of us all dancing and singing, I am sure it go viral on youtube! After lots of singing and lots of dancing and lots of laughing we worked up an appetite. My Artichoke Spinach Cream Cheese Dip - I was worried we wouldn't have enough so I made enough for a full dinner and lots of leftovers, take some home please!! Note to self-don't food blog when you are starving!! I doubled this recipe: Artichoke Spinach Cream Cheese Dip: 1 cup thawed frozen spinach, 1 1/2 cups thawed chopped frozen artichokes, 6 ounces cream cheese, 1/4 cup sour cream, 1/4 cup mayonnaise, 1/3 cup grated Parmesan Cheese, 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes, 1/4 teaspoon salt, 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder, 1/2 8 ounce package of shredded Jack Cheese for top of dip. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Grease 2 quart glass casserole dish with non-stick spray. Heat spinach in microwave for 5 minutes, squeeze dry. Heat artichokes in microwave, I used jar artichokes and included the marinade liquid- yum, why not? Heat cream cheese in microwave for 1 minute or until soft. Pour these ingredients into a food processor add remaining ingredients and pulse until completely blended. Pour into casserole dish and sprinkle Jack Cheese on top. Bake until hot 15-20 minutes. Serve with french bread or crackers or just a fork! This recipe has been linked up to my favorite blogs: Weekend Potluck Linky
Photobucket Six Sister's Stuff
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8 comments:

Lois Christensen said...

Happy Birthday! Looks like you had a great celebration and the food looks amazing!

Moore or Less Cooking said...

Thank you @walking on Sunshine! We really had the best time- love girl time!! Nothing better than great friend and great food!

Nettie

Lisa @ Shine Your Light said...

You are too funny Nettie, it just made me happy to read this post! Dancing, laughing with friends and a hot cheesy dip?? What could be better?? Happy birthday to you girl!!! Have a WONDERFUL year ahead! xoxo Lisa

Moore or Less Cooking said...

Thank you Lisa!! So happy to see you sweet girl, it was a great night and amazing birthday, I am looking forward to more GNO and birthdays, LOL!! I hope you are having the best Sunday, I am coming over tomorrow to check out your Mangia Mondays!

Nettie

The Lucky Wife @ The Saturday Evening Pot said...

That dip looks delicious! I have not had spinach dip in such a long time... you've got me craving it now.

Moore or Less Cooking said...

@the lucky wife, you are going to love this spinach dip, I just made it again last night, so yumm!! Thanks for stopping by, great to see you! Nettie

Chef in Training said...

YUM! Looks like quite the yummy party! Happy birthday! Thanks for linking up to the Tuesday Talent Show! I hope to see you again next Tuesday!
-Nikki
Chef in Training
http://www.chef-in-training.com

Moore or Less Cooking said...

Thank you Nikki! So happy you like the dip, great party! Always a pleasure seeing you! Nettie