Happy St. Patrick’s Day!
I don’t tend to eat a lot of traditional Irish food. Meat and potatoes? No thanks. Cabbage and potatoes, that I’ll do once in awhile. But even that combo. is somewhat of a rarity in my everyday diet.
I do however consume a lot of green cuisine. So in light of today’s emerald-studded holiday, I bring you my next recipe. It’s a spinach dip so full of vibrant color, it might just give you a little extra bounce as you your trance around in your leprechaun shoes today.
If you plan on celebrating your Irish roots (whether you really have them or not) by sipping on some beer, balance it out by pairing your brew with this healthy, good-luck colored recipe. Spinach is packed with fiber, calcium, vitamin A, and even a considerable amount of iron. It’s also a vitamin C-heavy veggie, (particularly when kept raw like in this recipe) which will help the body absorb the iron it contains.
Serve this with crackers or pita. If you end up with any leftover, carry the green spirit into your lunch the next day by applying it as a wrap/sandwich spread. Cheers.
Raw Spinach Dip
(Makes 2-3 cups)
-1 clove garlic
-2 1/2 tsp. minced ginger
-2 1/2 cups spinach, tightly packed
-1-15 oz. can butter beans, drained
-2 Tbsp. extra virgin olive oil
-1/2 tsp. salt
-1/2 Tbsp. red chili pepper flakes, optional
Pulse garlic and minced ginger in food processor. Add remaining ingredients, drizzling in olive oil last. Puree until smooth. Serve at room temperature with chips, crackers, or pita, or use as a sandwich spread.
8 Comments
beingzhenya
March 17, 2011 at 5:32 amThank you, now i know what to do with all my spinach!!!
Simply Life
March 17, 2011 at 7:07 amgreat dip idea!
Andrea@WellnessNotes
March 17, 2011 at 8:06 amThe dip sounds great! And the color is amazing!!!
Heather
March 17, 2011 at 9:34 amThat dip looks amazing – almost like a spinach hummus.
Did you add any lemon juice to keep the green so bright?
Marla
March 17, 2011 at 10:22 amGrace, I must make this beautiful bright green spinach dip! The perfect spread for anytime 🙂
Recipe Chefs
March 17, 2011 at 1:18 pmExcellent recipe. Thanks for sharing this post. I really enjoy reading your blog. Feel free to check out our recipes.
Recipe Chefs –
http://recipechefs.wordpress.com
Angela (the diet book junkie)
March 17, 2011 at 7:36 pmthat might be the first spinach dip i’ve seen that i would actually eat! (most of the time they’re made with cheese.) hope you’re having a great St. Patty’s Day!
Nicole, RD
March 18, 2011 at 6:29 amYum! And the perfect green color! I haven’t seen a recipe call for butter beans in YEARS! Love it!