Quick and Easy Budget Friendly Appetizers

Something that always eases our minds when entertaining is simple, affordable appetizers and dishes that save us money and time.  One of the favorites that I teach people to make is an Artichoke Dip made in a bread bowl. How simple is that? It’s baked and served in the bread bowl with a rich, creamy and flavorful taste in every bite. Your guests will truly enjoy this appetizer at your next party.

Artichoke Dip

Ingredients:

2 (16 ounce)sourdough bread rounds, divided (about 6-in. diameter)

vegetable oil

4 ounces cream cheese, softened

1/2 cup milk

1 (14 ounce) can water-packed artichoke hearts, drained

1 (1 1/2 ounce) envelope Knorr’s vegetable soup mix

1 garlic clove, pressed

1 lemon

1 (8 ounce) container sour cream

parmesan cheese, Grated fresh (optional)

Directions:

Preheat oven to 450°F. Using a serated Bread Knife, slice off top of one bread round to create a lid; set lid aside. Carefully remove center of bread round to form a 4½-inch-wide and 2-inch-deep well for dip.

Slice center of first and entire second bread round into 1-in. cubes. Place bread bowl on center of Large Baking Dish. Arrange bread cubes around bowl; spray with vegetable oil using a Kitchen Spritzer.

In mixing bowl, whisk cream cheese until smooth using Stainless Whisk. Add milk to cream cheese; whisk until smooth.

Chop artichokes. Add artichokes, soup mix and garlic pressed to mixing bowl; mix well, scraping the sides of bowl.

Microwave on HIGH 5-7 minutes or until hot (do not boil). Juice lemon using Juicer to measure 2 tbsp juice. Stir juice and sour cream into hot artichoke mixture; pour into bread bowl.

If desired, grate Parmesan cheese over bread bowl and bread cubes using Rotary Grater. Lean lid against bread bowl. Bake 13-15 minutes or until bread cubes and top of dip are golden brown. Remove from oven; serve immediately.

*This would also make a lovely Spinach Dip, just substtute the artichokes with spinach and add water chesnuts. Or try something new, add the spinach and leave the artichokes in. Want to kick it up a bit? Add some chopped jalapeno peppers.