Baked Spinach and Artichoke Dip

Ingredients:

• 10 oz bag Spinach Leaves (Chopped)
• 14 oz Artichoke Hearts (Chopped)
• 2- 8 oz Cream Cheese (softened)
• 1 cup Sour Cream
• 5 tsp minced Garlic
• 1 1/2 cup Mozzarella Cheese (grated)
• 3/4 cup Parmesan Cheese (grated)
• Salt & Pepper to taste

Serve with:

• Baguette Slices
• Chips 
• Crackers

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 350.  In a large bowl, combine cream cheese and sour cream with an electric mixer until smooth and mixed.
2. Stir in chopped spinach leaves, chopped artichoke hearts, garlic, mozzarella cheese, parmesan cheese, salt and pepper.
3. Spread dip into an 9x13 baking dish. Top with any leftover mozzarella and parmesan cheese, cover with aluminum foil, and bake for 30-35 minutes or until cheese is melted. 

www.cupcakediariesblog.com 

Marinara Sauce

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
• 1 small onion, chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, chopped
• 1 stalk celery, chopped
• 1 carrot, chopped
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• 2 (28-ounce each) cans crushed tomatoes
• 1/2 tablespoon dried basil
• 1/2 tablespoon dried oregano
• 2 dried bay leaves
• 1 tablespoon brown sugar
• 2 tablespoons butter (optional) 

Instructions

1. In a large pot, heat the oil over medium heat until hot and rippling. Add the onion and garlic and saute, stirring very frequently, until the onion is soft and translucent, about 3-4 minutes. Add the celery and carrots and season with salt and pepper. Cook, stirring frequently, until all the vegetables are slightly tender, about 5 minutes. Add the crushed tomatoes, basil, oregano and bay leaves and simmer, covered, on low heat for 1 hour, stirring occasionally to make sure the sauce isn’t sticking to the bottom of the pot, until slightly thickened and the vegetables are completely tender. Stir in the brown sugar. Taste the sauce. Add salt and pepper as needed. Add the butter and stir to combine if you want to round out the flavors and add a dimension of silkiness.
2. Remove the bay leaves. In a blender or food processor, blend the sauce (in several batches, if necessary) until it is smooth. The sauce can be frozen once it is cooled completely in freezer-safe ziploc bags for up to 6 months.

Yield: 7 cups of sauce

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 1 hour 10 minutes

Total Time: 1 hour 20 minutes

https://www.melskitchencafe.com/classic-marinara-sauce/

Shrapnel Bean Dip

Ingredients:
1 can of White Beans (Navy or Great Northern)
1 can of Black Beans
1 can of Corn
1-2 Avocados (diced)
1/4-1/2 cup of Red Pepper (diced)
1-2 Roma Tomatoes
2 Tbls Red Onion (finely chopped)
2-3 Tbls Cilantro (finely chopped)
1/3 cup Italian dressing (add more if needed)
Squeeze of a fresh lime (about 1/2 Tbls or 1/2 of a lime)
Salt and Pepper to taste
Tortilla Chips

Directions:
1. Drain and rinse the beans and corn.  Dry as best as you can, use a salad spinner and/or place on a paper towel to blot dry.  After they are completely dry add to a large bowl.
2. Add avocados, red pepper, tomatoes, red onion and cilantro to the bowl.  Mix together and then pour the dressing over the top of the salad.  Mix until everything is coated evenly. (If making in advance wait until right before serving to chop and stir in the avocados.)
3. Squeeze the lime juice over the top and gently mix in. Salt and pepper to taste and serve immediately with chips.

Guacamole

Ingredients: (Party Amount)

5 avocados
2 green onions
1 lemon
red tabasco to taste
salt & pepper to taste
2 spoonfuls of salsa/pico to taste

or

1 avocado
1/2 lime
salt to taste

Directions:
Mix all ingredients together until creamy and smooth.  Enjoy with chips, on a salad or sandwich!