Seasonal Dish: Creamy Spinach Artichoke Dip, MIND Diet Style
Download the Spinach Artichoke Dip Here
Creamy, rich, indulgent dips are a staple of the holiday season — but traditional spinach artichoke dip is often loaded with full fat cheeses, mayo, and creams. This lighter but just as tasty Spinach Artichoke Dip gives you all the flavor you crave while aligning beautifully with the MIND diet and brain-healthy eating. It highlights nutrient-packed dark leafy greens (a top MIND diet food group!), gut-friendly artichokes, and a lightened-up “cheesy” flavor thanks to nutritional yeast and cottage cheese instead of high-saturated-fat ingredients. The yogurt and cottage cheese supply a good dose of protein- helping to keep you energized instead of feeling sugglish. I recommend serving this with your favorite baked chips and colorful cut up veggies.
This better-for-your-brain party appetizer is easy to make, deliciously creamy, and guaranteed to become a go-to holiday recipe for years to come. A crowd-pleasing dip that supports cognitive health? That’s a win-win.
Serves 8
MIND Points:
0.5 LG
INGREDIENTS:
2.5 cups thawed frozen spinach, drained and excess liquid squeezed out
1, 14 ounce jar artichoke hearts, strained and finely chopped
1 cup plain low fat greek yogurt
1 cup low fat cottage cheese
⅓ cup nutritional yeast
⅓ cup light feta cheese
1 teaspoon lemon zest plus 1 tablespoon lemon juice
⅛ teaspoon ground nutmeg
¼- ½ teaspoon chili powder
2 cloves garic, minced
⅛ teaspoon ground black pepper
½ parmesan cheese for topping
DIRECTIONS:
Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.
Option 1: In a large bowl, combine the spinach, chopped artichoke hearts, yogurt, nutritional yeast, cottage cheese, feta cheese, lemon zest and juice, nutmeg, chilli powder and garlic. Mix until well incorporated.
Option 2: Combine all ingredients in a food processor or blender and chop until just incorporated.
Transfer to an oven safe 8X8 pan. Top with parmesan cheese and black pepper.
Bake for 20-25 or until bubbling and cheese is melted.
Serve with cut up veggies and baked chips.
Nutrition Facts: 8 servings per recipe, Calories: 100, Total Fat: 2.5g, Total Saturated Fat: 1.5g, Trans Fat: 0g, Cholesterol: 11.2mg, Sodium: 374mg, Total Carbohydrate: 7 grams, Dietary Fiber: 2g, Total Sugars: 2.5g, Includes 0 grams Added Sugars, Protein 10g