Ingredient of the Week: KALE Recipe of the Week

Kale & Artichoke Dip

• 1 can of artichoke hearts with the liquid

• 1 tbsp of butter

• tsp  minced or powdered garlic (or to taste)

• red pepper flakes (optional)

• 1 tsp onion powder

• 1 tsp garlic powder

• 1-3 bunches of kale

• 1 8oz. block of cream cheese (cut up)

• 1 tbsp of sour cream

• half and half 

• shredded cheese (any kind of your liking)

• bread bowl (optional)

• salt & pepper (to taste)

• Tortilla chips (for dipping)

Prep:

-Wash kale thoroughly and dice it as small as you like ( we like to bite our kale so our's was a bit smaller than coarsely chopped)

Cook:

In a skillet: add butter, minced garlic, and artichoke hearts with the liquid.  Cook until half the liquid cooks down...if you feel you need to add some extra seasonings, please do!    Once half of the liquid is cooked off, add your chopped kale.  Sautee kale in artichokes until cooked down.  Remove from the skillet (do not drain).

-In the same skillet add your cream cheese and sour cream and seasoning (salt, pepper, onion powder, red pepper flakes (as desired for heat), garlic powder) and half and half. (*Note: heavy cream can be used or even milk, if you don't have milk you can use chicken stock as well--use what you have to make it great)

-Once the cream cheese mixture comes to a slow boil add your kale/artichoke mixture into the sauce.  Remove the skillet from heat.

Assembly:

-If using a bread bowl, pour the mixture into the bowl and cover with shredded cheese (any kind of your liking), and place under the broiler until the cheese is melting and a little crispy

-If using a dish, pour mixture into the dish and cover with shredded cheese (any kind that you like), cover with aluminum foil and place in the oven at 375 degrees for 10 minutes or until cheese is melted.  If you want a slight crip, remove the foil and place under the broiler for about 3-5 minutes!

Eating:

This can be served as a dip and enjoyed with tortilla chips of any kind, eaten with bread, or used to stuff salmon, the possibilities are endless...But most importantly ENJOY!!!!