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Tuesday, March 27, 2012

Spicy Spring Vegetable and Goat Cheese Dip

Here is a GREAT Spring appetizer recipe your friends and family will LOVE!!!!!! 

INGREDIENTS: 
1 cup ¾ diced asparagus
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
1 cup chopped leeks
1 small yellow onion, minced
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1 ¼ cups whole milk
1 cup grated mild white cheddar
Dash of Kosher salt
Freshly ground black pepper
1 14-ounce can or jar chopped drained artichoke hearts in water
¼ cup fresh (or frozen, thawed) peas
1 small Jalapeño Pepper minced
1 tablespoon fresh chives chopped
1 tablespoon fresh mint
1 tablespoon flat-leaf parsley
 ½ teaspoon finely grated lemon zest
 8 ounces crumbled fresh goat cheese

COOKING MUSIC SELECTION: Death came a knocking- Ruthie Foster

PREPARATION:
Preheat oven to 450°F. Cook 1 cup ¾ “asparagus in a large pot of boiling salted water until crisp-tender, about 2 minutes. Drain; let cool. Melt 2 tablespoons unsalted butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Add 1 cup chopped leeks, onion and Jalapeño pepper (white and pale-green parts only) and cook, stirring often, until soft, about 10 minutes.

Whisk in 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour; gradually whisk in 1 ¼ cups whole milk. Bring to a simmer, whisking constantly. Cook, whisking occasionally, until thickened; remove from heat. Add 1 cup grated mild white cheddar; whisk until cheese is melted and mixture is smooth. Season to taste with kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper.

Fold in asparagus (reserve tips); chopped drained artichoke hearts in water from one 14-ounce can or jar; ¼  cup fresh (or frozen, thawed) peas; 2 tablespoons each chopped fresh chives, mint, and flat-leaf parsley; ½  teaspoon finely grated lemon zest; and the half of the crumbled fresh goat cheese.

Transfer mixture to a 4-5-cup baking dish; arrange asparagus tips on top and dot with another half of the goat cheese. Bake until golden brown and bubbling, 15-20 minutes. Let rest for 5 minutes before serving. Serve it with crostini, tortilla chips, or crudités.

ENJOY!!!!!

2 comments:

  1. Can't wait to try this, but I'm confused: the ingredients include 8 oz. goat cheese, but I only see 4 oz. called for in the directions. Which is correct?

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    1. That's what I get for drinking and blogging! Thanks for the correction. Just fold half in first and sprinkle the other half on when you get it into the baking dish... It's killer good stuff. The vegetables gives it the illusion it's good for you. Let me know how it comes out! TT

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