Slow Cooker, Make Ahead, Quick Fix

Hot Artichoke and Spinach Dip

Prep Time: 15 Minutes Start to Finish: 2 Hours 15 Minutes 20 servings

1 Spray 1- to 1½-quart slow cooker with cooking spray. In slow cooker, mix all ingredients except bread.

2 Cover; cook on Low heat setting 2 to 4 hours. Serve dip with bread.

1 Serving (2 Tablespoons Dip and 2 Slices Bread): Calories 130; Total Fat 8g (Saturated Fat 3g, Trans Fat 0g); Cholesterol 15mg; Sodium 230mg; Total Carbohydrate 11g (Dietary Fiber 2g); Protein 4g Exchanges: ½ Starch, ½ Medium-Fat Meat, 1 Fat Carbohydrate Choices: 1

Make-Ahead Magic You can make the dip ahead of time in a bowl; cover and refrigerate up to 2 days before serving. When ready to heat, transfer the dip to the slow cooker and heat as directed.

Festive Touch For an extra holiday “pop,” serve this dip with red and green tortilla chips instead of bread. Look for them near the deli at your grocery store during the holiday season.

Hot Artichoke and Spinach Dip

Make Ahead

Layered Greek Dip

Prep Time: 25 Minutes Start to Finish: 25 Minutes 8 servings

  • 1 container (6 oz) Greek lemon or plain yogurt
  • ¼ cup crumbled feta cheese (1 oz)
  • 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley
  • 1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice
  • ⅛ teaspoon salt
  • 1 cup plain hummus (from 7-oz container)
  • 3 medium plum (Roma) tomatoes, seeded, chopped (½ cup)
  • ½ cup finely chopped seeded cucumber
  • ½ cup pitted kalamata olives, coarsely chopped
  • 2 tablespoons chopped green onions (2 medium)
  • Pita chips, if desired
  • Sliced cucumbers and bell pepper strips, if desired

1 In small bowl, mix yogurt, cheese, parsley, lemon juice and salt.

2 Into each of 8 (2- to 3-oz) glasses or jars, layer 2 tablespoons hummus, 1 heaping tablespoon yogurt mixture, 1 tablespoon tomato, 1 tablespoon chopped cucumber, 1 tablespoon olives and slightly less than 1 teaspoon green onions.

3 Serve with pita chips, sliced cucumbers and bell peppers.

1 Serving: Calories 130; Total Fat 7g (Saturated Fat 2.5g, Trans Fat 0g); Cholesterol 15mg; Sodium 310mg; Total Carbohydrate 13g (Dietary Fiber 2g); Protein 5g Exchanges: 1 Starch, 1½ Fat Carbohydrate Choices: 1

Make-Ahead Magic You can prep this recipe ahead to make it a breeze to put together. Mix the ingredients in Step 1; cover and refrigerate up to 24 hours in advance of serving. Everything but the tomatoes can be chopped and refrigerated in small bags or containers up to 24 hours ahead as well. When ready to serve, chop the tomatoes and layer the dip as directed.

Festive Touch These individual dips are perfect for a buffet—no worries about double dipping! But you can also do a platter presentation if you like: Spread the hummus on a serving platter, and spoon the yogurt mixture over the hummus. Arrange the toppings in rows over the yogurt mixture.