Description
Experience a burst of Mediterranean flavors with this creamy Tuscan dip, featuring a vibrant spinach and sun-dried tomato base complemented by a sweet roasted red pepper swirl. It’s an easy-to-make appetizer perfect for any gathering.
Ingredients
Scale
- 200g (7oz) Cream Cheese, Softened: full-fat recommended for richness
- 120g (4oz) Plain Greek Yogurt: full-fat for best flavor
- 60g (2oz) Grated Parmesan Cheese: freshly grated preferred
- 1 cup (240g) Fresh Spinach, Chopped: baby spinach, finely chopped
- ½ cup (80g) Sun-Dried Tomatoes, Chopped: drained and patted dry
- 2 cloves Garlic, Minced: fresh
- 1 tbsp (15ml) Olive Oil, plus extra for drizzling: extra virgin
- ½ tsp (2.5ml) Lemon Juice
- Salt and Freshly Ground Black Pepper, to taste
- 1 large Red Bell Pepper
- 5 Fresh Basil Leaves
- 1 tsp (5ml) Olive Oil (for coulis)
- 2 tbsp (30g) Pine Nuts, Toasted and Roughly Chopped
- 2 Fresh Basil Leaves, Torn (for garnish)
Instructions
- Roast the Pepper: Roast red pepper at 220°C (425°F) for 15-20 minutes, turning halfway.
- Steam and Peel: Steam pepper for 5 minutes, then peel, seed, and remove membrane.
- Make Coulis: Blend pepper, basil, olive oil, and salt until smooth.
- Sauté Spinach & Garlic: Sauté garlic for 30 seconds, then add spinach and cook until wilted. Cool.
- Create Creamy Base: Beat cream cheese until fluffy, then mix in yogurt, Parmesan, lemon juice, salt, and pepper.
- Combine Ingredients: Fold in cooled spinach and sun-dried tomatoes.
- Swirl Coulis: Drizzle coulis over dip and gently swirl.
- Garnish & Chill: Top with pine nuts and basil, drizzle with olive oil, and chill for 30 minutes.
Notes
For a smoother swirl, ensure the red pepper coulis is perfectly smooth. Chilling allows flavors to meld and the swirl to set.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Blending, Roasting, Sautéing
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/6 of dip
- Calories: 250 kcal
- Sugar: 5 g
- Sodium: 300 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 8 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 12 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 8 g
- Cholesterol: 50 mg
Keywords: dip,tuscan,appetizer,party,spinach,red pepper,easy,creamy,italian