Spinach dip recipes are delicious, but are often packed with high-fat ingredients such as sour cream, numerous cheeses and other waist-bulging additives that make it far from healthy. Luckily, there are alternatives out there that take the great nutritional benefits of spinach and couple it with other low-fat, heart- and waist-healthy ingredients so you can enjoy this versatile vegetable as a welcomed snack, meal or appetizer at parties or events.
Healthy Artichoke and Spinach Dip Recipe
This delicious recipe couples two great veggies with a few simple ingredients to make a dip that is both healthful and palate pleasing. You will need 10 artichoke hearts (may use canned), a handful of baby or regular spinach (coarsely chopped), 2 small garlic cloves, 1/2 tsp. cumin and a bit of olive oil to get the dip consistency just right. Put all ingredients into a blender except the oil and mix while slowly pouring olive oil down the side of the blender until you have a nice dip-like consistency. Salt and pepper the mixture to taste. Be sure to clean your veggies well for this recipe; serve with dry toast or low-fat crackers and it will be sure to be a hit.
Creamy No-Guilt Spinach Dip
Why not try this tasty dip packed with protein and phytonutrients? It also has zero cholesterol and is quick to prepare. Just mix 1 cup of plain low-fat Greek yogurt, one package of onion soup mix, and 1 cup of low or non-fat cottage cheese; mix these ingredients together well in a bowl. You will then add one 10-ounce package of thawed, drained and chopped spinach, one can of water chestnuts (chopped) and 1/4 cup of grated carrots. Stir this mix together and refrigerate for two hours. Serve with your favorite accompaniments.
Weight Watchers Light Spinach Dip
If you are following the Weight Watchers regime you may enjoy this simple, tasty dip that makes 24 servings and has 1 WW point. You will need 1 cup each of low-fat mayonnaise and non-fat sour cream, 3 green onions, 1 10-ounce package of frozen chopped spinach (thawed), 1 8-ounce can of water chestnuts (chopped and drained) and 1 package of Knorr's vegetable soup mix. Drain and squeeze the spinach dry. In a separate bowl mix the other ingredients together, blending well. Simply add the spinach to the other ingredients and chill for three hours in the refrigerator. Couple this with Weight Watchers' toasted bagel pieces and enjoy!
Sodium-Free Spinach Dip
This sodium-free recipe gets its zip from a dash of hot pepper sauce. Combined with avocado, green onions and tomato, it makes a great spicy treat for the entire family. Prepare a 10-ounce package of frozen spinach according to direction and drain, leaving out the butter during the cooking process. Combine the spinach, five chopped green onions, 1/2 cup of watercress (stems removed) or arugula and 1/4 cup parsley into a food processor, blending until course. Drain mixture in a colander. In the food processor, add 8-ounce fat-free plain yogurt, 1 1/4 tsp. garlic powder, 1/4 tsp. (or more to taste) red hot pepper sauce, 1 avocado (may use a second one chopped for garnish) and 1/8 tsp. No-Salt salt, blending until smooth. Transfer to a bowl, adding spinach and 1 small chopped tomato. Chill for one hour in the fridge and garnish with fat-free chips, if desired.
Tags: 10-ounce package, green onions, Weight Watchers, 10-ounce package frozen, blending until, chestnuts chopped, chopped spinach