Warm Spinach-Artichoke Dip

SERVES 8 TO 10

My whole life I’ve been a hold-the-mayo kind of girl. In third grade, when I found out that spinach artichoke dip is often made with mayo, I said goodbye to that creamy dip forever! Until, of course, I created this mayo-free, low-fat, vegan version that totally knocks my socks off. It’s easy, delicious, and mayo-hater friendly!

 

2 tablespoons olive oil

1 onion, roughly chopped

3 cloves garlic, minced

½ teaspoon crushed red pepper, optional

5 ounces baby spinach

1 14-ounce package soft tofu, drained

½ cup nutritional yeast flakes

2 tablespoons lemon juice

1 teaspoon dried basil

1½ teaspoons sea salt

½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

14 ounces of canned, marinated, or frozen artichoke hearts, drained

Bread or tortilla chips for serving

 

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Lightly grease a 1-quart baking dish.

 

In a large skillet, heat oil over medium-high heat and sauté onions until soft. Add garlic and red pepper and let cook a few more minutes. Reduce the heat to medium-low and add spinach. Let cook, stirring gently, until spinach is wilted.

 

In a food processor, blend tofu, nutritional yeast, lemon juice, basil, salt, and pepper until smooth. Add artichokes and spinach mixture, and pulse about 15 times. Transfer to the prepared baking dish.

 

Bake for 30 minutes, or until lightly browned on top. Let cool a few minutes, then serve with bread or tortilla chips.