Broccoli & Cheddar Parmesan Dip with Garlic Crostini's
(Serves about 6)
Ingredients:
8 ounces broccoli florets
12 ounces light cream cheese, softened at room temp
1 cup light sour cream
¼ cup real mayonnaise
1 small garlic clove, pressed through garlic press
1 ½ teaspoons lemon juice
• Pinch salt
½ teaspoon black pepper
¼ teaspoon paprika
¼ teaspoon onion powder
¼ cup grated parmesan cheese
½ cup grated cheddar cheese, divided use
¼ teaspoon Italian seasoning
• Garlic Crostini (recipe below)
Preparation:
-If preparing immediately, preheat the oven to 450°, and lightly mist a baking dish (roughly a quart size) with cooking spray; if not, prepare the recipe as follows and keep refrigerated, covered with plastic wrap, until ready to bake and serve.
-Blanch the broccoli florets in well-salted boiling water for about 30-45 seconds; drain and immerse into an ice bath for about 30 seconds to immediately cool and keep the broccoli a vibrant green; remove from the ice bath, and pat dry as much as possible with paper towels; chop up the florets into small pieces, and set aside for a moment.
-Add the softened cream cheese, the sour cream, mayonnaise, garlic, lemon, salt, pepper, paprika, onion powder and parmesan cheese into a large bowl; with a hand-held mixer (or even a spatula if the cream cheese is nice and soft), blend the ingredients until well combines and fairly smooth.
-Next, fold in ¼ cup of the grated cheddar cheese, and mix until incorporated; spoon the mixture into the baking dish and smooth the top, then finish by sprinkling over the remaining ¼ cup of grated cheddar cheese, and the Italian seasoning.
-Bake for about 20-22 minutes until bubbly and golden on top; allow to slightly cool (you can even scoop some out and place it into a bowl to cool it a bit and serve), and serve with the Garlic Crostinis on the side.
Garlic Crostini ingredients:
1 French or sourdough baguette, sliced thinly on the bias
• Olive oil to drizzle
¼ teaspoon garlic powder
Pinch of salt
Preparation:
-Preheat the oven to 400°, and line a baking sheet with foil.
-Add the baguette slices to a large bowl, and drizzle about 1 tablespoon of oil over them; sprinkle over the garlic powder and the salt, and toss everything well to coat; turn out onto the baking sheet in a single layer, and bake for a few minutes until golden-brown, toasted and crisp.
