Creamy Spinach Dip Trinistyle

Hey folks. Today’s recipe comes from one of my fans, Keisha John, from my facebook group.  So I’ll be taking a backseat while she shares one of her innovative creations, “Creamy Spinach Dip” – all done with the same Trini flair you’re accustomed to on Simply Trini Cooking.  Here’s Keisha….

(At this time you’re supposed to applaud lol hahaha)

Discovering New Recipes

“What a time to be alive! With the internet at our fingertips, it continues to bridge the gap between people around the globe.  We can share in cultures, learn history from far off lands, and live like locals do through their social media adventures; but my favourite part is getting to taste their world.

Some of the most delightful conversations I have with international friends are about food.  Holidays and big events tend to bring out talk: of the best dishes, the importance of Yorkshire pudding, and the lies that mince pies imply – there’s no meat in there folks!  Then I heard about roast pork in Denmark at Christmas too.  See, they’re so far away but we have a common ground even though it’s prepared differently.  With Denmark as the highest pork consumers in the world, dare I say they might be doing it in a way that would be worth a try.

A Movie and a Dip

When my friends go off on these food tales, I’m transported to their kitchens trying so hard not to salivate whilst I wait to be served.  This creamy spinach dip recipe in particular though, was born all because a friend in the US was attending her first “Game day” party, and they had chips with dip.  She romanticised about this creamy spinach dip so much, I spent about a week after searching for that brand she told me about, I just had to have that experience too!

I couldn’t wait to get home.  As soon as I opened the jar the first thing that hit me was the pungent smell.  It wasn’t bad, but it smelled a lot like vinegar.  I began to have doubts.  Nevertheless, food is an adventure so I carried on. After a little reheating I sat there and almost finished a bag of tortilla chips… alone.  Ah shame! 

While the store bought creamy spinach dip is American, I quickly learned that the dip was more of an Italian dish.  I think I became slightly obsessed, researching recipe after recipe of variations of creamy spinach dip. ( I discovered a lot of added artichoke as well in their recipes).   It was then I wondered, what if this dip had the zing of flavour from our pimentos? What if I took it upon myself to add some Trini flavour and flair.  What will I get?

I’ll tell you.  You get a creamy, tangy, almost sinful dip that elevates regular tortilla chips to gourmet.

Time For A Creamy Spinach Dip

Like I said, it’s always some event that brings about these food discussions.  So what a better time to try this recipe than when the kids are on school break!  In my house, almost every Saturday is family movie night.  I set out to get the ingredients to recreate this recipe that haunts my taste buds.

What a crazy unexpected adventure.  My five year old daughter, my two month old son, and I left home in what seemed to be perfect weather.  As soon as we got into the car it rained heavily.  I saw it as a good sign, at least we were in a taxi first, right?  By the time we had to get out, the rain had stopped.  What great luck! It wasn’t until we got into the supermarket, I started to feel like maybe the universe was against me.

Finding Spinach in the Supermarket

I searched the produce section for spinach (what we call poi bhaji, the type that comes in a bag and you add to salads).   It was nowhere to be found.  I thought to myself, “Maybe they had some that they didn’t put out yet”. One can only hope.  Then I spotted an employee and inquired.  She was eager to help and started walking to show me where I could find the spinach… it was dasheen bush.  I ended up explaining to her the difference between dasheen bush and spinach.  Education is the key, right?

Then, another employee passed and asked me what I was looking for.  She proudly asked, “De’ spinach in de’ pack?”   I smiled inwardly.  The male employee, excited too to show he knew what I was talking about, led me to what he was sure was spinach… It was dried black mushrooms.  I can’t make this stuff up, guys.  I admit I was losing patience.  Nonetheless, once again I imparted spinach education and cleared up for him that it isn’t usually in a can like on Popeye.  Deep breaths!  Long deep ones lol.  I ended up having to go to another grocery after that fiasco to get the bag of spinach.

Now, back home for said movie night.

Keisha’s Creamy Spinach Dip Recipe

Since the addition of my son, my daughter chooses the movie so she gets that feeling of being the centre of attention. I’ll tell you, when you let your five year old daughter choose the movie you always end up watching something with lots of pink and sparkles.  Just because you have to tuck yuh tail between yuh legs and subject yourself to their taste in movies, doesn’t mean you have to subject yourself to their taste in snacks too.  So, take the time, whip up some of this delectable goodness, and sit back to get lost in the food… I mean, the movie.”

CREAMY SPINACH DIP

½ cup Cream Cheese
½ cup Cheddar and mozzarella blend (you can choose how much of each you want)
1 cup of salad spinach chopped (frozen works just as well)
1 pimento, chopped
3 cloves garlic, chopped
½ red onion, chopped
1 tablespoon olive oil or butter
A pinch of salt and black pepper

In a dry non-stick pan, add the oil, garlic, onion and pimento.  Then turn the stove on low heat.
Allow to cook until translucent.

Add the chopped spinach, salt and black pepper.
Stir occasionally to prevent burning.

The spinach will begin wilting until broken down and easy to cut with your spoon.

(Note: I added a bit of water to help the leaves along)

Add cream cheese and stir until melted and combined with spinach mixture. Add cheddar and mozzarella blend and turn off the heat.

Transfer to a serving bowl with your favorite chip, cracker, or bread.
Additionally, use as a spread for sandwiches.

She couldn’t have said it better.  Hope you all liked Keisha’s take on creamy spinach dip.  Stay tuned for more fan recipes.  As for me I could only say one thing.

Ah Gone! 🙂

Ok maybe that’s two things lol