Spinach Artichoke Bites

If you need an appetizer, try these. Pick your favorite dip, (like Melissa's Spicy Artichoke Dip) and make them into individual bites. The shells are wonton wraps placed in a mini muffin pan. Use just under a tablespoon in each cup. Bake for about 8 minutes at 350 degrees.

Spicy Spinach Artichoke Dip

1/2 white onion, diced
1 clove garlic, minced
1 medium jalapeno, minced (seeds removed for a milder flavor)
1/2 red pepper, diced
3T butter
1 10oz pkg frozen spinach, thawed (squeeze to remove most of the water)
1 can artichoke hearts, diced
1 8oz pkg cream cheese
1 cup sour cream
6 oz shredded Parmesan cheese
1 t salt
1/2 t white pepper
1 pkg blue corn tortilla chips

In a large skillet, melt better. Add jalapeno, cook 2 to 3 minutes. Add garlic and onion and cook another 5 minutes, until onions begin to turn clear. Add red pepper and cook 2 to 3 minutes. Add spinach and artichokes, heat through. Cut up the cream cheese into about 8 chunks and add with the sour cream. Cook until the cream cheese is melted and mixture is smooth. Add salt, pepper and 1/2 the Parmesan cheese. Heat about 3 minutes, until cheese is melted. Pour into a greased shallow dish (8" square or similar). Top with remaining Parmesan cheese. **Bake at 350 for 20 to 25 minutes, until hot and bubbly and top starts to turn brown. Serve with blue corn tortilla chips.

**This can be made a couple of days in advance then covered and refrigerated until ready to serve. If heating from the refrigerator, it will need to be cooked for 30 to 40 minutes.

Spinach Artichoke Dip

1 small white onion, diced
2 cloves garlic crushed
3 T butter
10 oz. pkg frozen spinach, thawed
15 oz can artichoke hearts, drained and chopped
6 oz. cream cheese
1 cup sour cream
6 oz. Parmesan cheese, shredded
3 T white Worcestershire
salt and white pepper to taste

Saute onion and garlic in butter until onion is clear. Add spinach, artichokes, cream cheese, sour cream and seasonings. Cook until cream cheese and sour cream are all combined. Add half the Parmesan cheese. Pour into shallow oven safe dish, cover with remaining Parmesan cheese. Bake at 350 for 20 minutes, until hot and bubbly and cheese is melted. Can be refrigerated up to 24 hours before serving. Just bake for about 30 minutes.

I serve this with butter or whole grain crackers. Can also be served with bread or a toasted baguette--slice a baguette on an angle into 1/4" slices. Broil for 2 to 3 minutes until golden. You can also brush this with olive oil and/or rub this with a garlic clove when removed. (This is a little fancier than just crackers)