Spinach Dip

So, it's St. Patrick's day; the day when everyone seems to post something that's green. Whether it be green drinks, green "Red Velvet Cupcakes" or topping everything with a green "somethin' somethin'" everyone seems to be doing it. Now, I'm all for things certain things being colored and I have to say I eat my fare share of Red Velvet Cupcakes, Lucky Charms and Captain Crunch Berries, but can we pick a color that is at least appetizing or choose to make something that is natural? 

I say this because I once had a bad experience with the color green. There used to be a time when Heinz Ketchup decided to make themselves colored ones, specifically green. Being about 8 years old, of course I thought it was cool and so did my brother. But let me tell you, once that blob of nastiness was placed on my plate, the "coolness" factor went straight out the window. I think the main problem isn't the color green itself. The problem is when something we become so familiar with in color and taste get changed in some way, it throws us off. 

For instance, Macarons come in a variety of colors indicating flavor. I'll eat the green one and I'll eat the blue one. Heck, I'll even eat the pink one while I'm at it but, it's the fact that these have always come in a variety of colors that it becomes normal to us. Now when we take a Red Velvet Cupcake which we all know and love and change the whole thing by adding green food coloring it's just unappetizing and well...."interesting".

So, can we just for St. Patrick's day make green food that is naturally/normally green? Like this Spinach Dip. I think it will save us in the long run. Plus, A LOT of drinking happens on St. Patrick's Day so why not have a little appetizer with your drink?

Spinach and Artichoke Dip

Recipe by Alton Brown

Ingredients
1 cup thawed, chopped frozen spinach
11/2 cups thawed, chopped frozen artichoke hearts
6 ounces cream cheese
1/4 cup sour cream
1/4 cup mayonnaise
1/3 cup grated Parmesan
1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon garlic powder

Directions
Boil spinach and artichokes in 1 cup of water until tender and drain. Discard liquid. Heat cream cheese in microwave for 1 minute or until hot and soft. Stir in rest of ingredients and serve hot.

-Aaron John