Party food - wine and spin dip

I realized yesterday that I have not featured any wines in a very long time. It's not because we're not drinking wine, either. So here are two bottles for you to try. Plus a really yummy spinach dip recipe. I featured the dip last year. But it's time to share it again because it's perfect for football parties. And the niners are playing today. GO NINERS!

Main & Geary Cabernet and the Prospect 49 Sauvignon Blanc

Both of these wines are fabulous. The Main & Geary Cabernet has notes of blackberry and a nice berry aroma. It tastes great alone, or with food. I was sipping it while eating my yummy Spinach and Artichoke Dip.

The Prospect 49 Sauvignon Blanc was also quite tasty. It's light and fruity. Not tart or green like some Sauvignon Blancs. It seemed a little too sweet for me at first. But it actually paired really well with the rich, cheesy Spin Dip. The more I drank it the more I liked it. It's a keeper.

I think I'll drink more of the Prospect 49 today. I'm kinda hoping it will bring the old 49ers football team some luck if we drink it during the playoff game. So we're buying some more. Plus, we have a lot of spin dip to eat still!

Hot Spinach and Artichoke Dip

Spinach and Artichoke Dip

2 (10 oz) boxes frozen spinach, thawed

1/4 c. butter

1 T minced fresh garlic

2 T minced onion

1/4 c. all-purpose flour

1 pint heavy cream

1/4 c. chicken stock

2 t. fresh lemon juice

1/2 t. hot sauce

1/2 t. salt

2/3 c. fresh grated Pecorino Romano cheese

1/4 c. sour cream

1/2 c. shredded white cheddar cheese

(12 oz) jar or can of artichoke hearts drained, coarsely chopped 

1. Strain spinach and squeeze through a cheesecloth to remove as much liquid as possible. 
2. In heavy saucepan over medium heat, saute garlic and onions in butter until golden, about 3-5 minutes. Stir in flour and cook for 1 minute.  
3. Slowly whisk in cream and stock and continue cooking until boiling. 
4. Once boiling, stir in lemon juice, hot sauce, salt and Romano cheese; stir until cheese has melted.
5. Remove from heat and allow to cool for 5 minutes.  
6. Stir in sour cream, then fold in dry spinach and artichoke hearts.  
7. Pour in ovenproof/microwave proof dish. Sprinkle cheddar evenly on top.  
8. Heat in microwave or bake in oven until cheese on top is melted.
9. Serve hot with tortilla chips, sour cream and salsa for dipping.  

 

I know it's not exactly a diet recipe. Just put all those crazy calorie thoughts out of your head and have some carrots and celery on hand to balance the richness of this oh-so-tasty treat. You can probably alter the recipe with some low-fat ingredients. I'll try that next time.

WINE DETAILS:

Main & Geary Cabernet  91pts Wilfred Wong
Ripe and showy, the well-designed cab speaks clearly of the Napa Valley; black fruit predominate, layered and bright on the palate. $13cb on sale

Prospect 49 Sauvignon Blanc 90 pts Wilfred Wong
Very pretty and alluring, serves up honeysuckle in the nose and pink grapefruit, and lemon meringue in the flavors. $10cb on sale