Houston’s Spinach Artichoke Dip

Houston’s Spinach Artichoke Dip – Recently, the Dude of The Dudes Kitchen on YouTube (@Thegrillingdude) made a very nice Spinach and Artichoke dip. It wasn’t fancy or overly unique. But for me, it brought back some very powerful memories of a spinach & artichoke dip I used to eat.

Houston’s Spinach Artichoke Dip is a creamy, warm dip loaded with artichoke hearts and spinach. This is a copycat version of Houston’s Spinach Artichoke Dip is low-carb and keto-friendly. It can be prepared in advance, making it a great appetizer for parties.

Back in the ’80s when I was living in my hometown Washington DC, there was a Southwestern restaurant chain called “Houston’s”. There were multiple DC locations, in Georgetown, Tysons Corner VA, Bethesda, and Rockville, MD. It became my home away from home. So much so that in the Restaurant Softball League Houston’s fielded a team, I was the only non-employee on any of the restaurant softball teams in the entire league.

I was there almost every evening after work. Hanging with friends, and watching sports on TV, slowly becoming “Norm” from “Cheers”.

I took dates there, went there after dates to debrief the bartenders, and was generally a fixture in the same booth every day.

Houston’s Spinach Artichoke Dip

There were two menu items that I seemed to order all the time. One was a Salad with Chicken strips which does not appear on the menu any longer. The other item was the Chicago Style Spinach Dip with Artichokes which is still on their menu. Or in Houston’s restaurant Short hand, it was called a C-Spin. I had that C-Spin hundreds of times over the years. But never could duplicate it at home.

But thanks to the Dude, I’m giving it another shot. I found a recipe for Houston’s C-Spin, which is not that much different than the Dude’s recipe. This is a nostalgia recipe for me. So, here is my copycat recipe for Houston’s Spinach Artichoke Dip.

Houston’s Restaurant’s Chicago-Style Spinach Dip, often referred to as C-SPIN, is a renowned appetizer that tantalizes taste buds with its creamy texture and rich flavors. While the exact recipe is a closely guarded secret, here’s a homemade version that captures the essence of this beloved dish:

Ingredients:

• 1 package (10 ounces) frozen chopped spinach, thawed and drained
• 1 cup mayonnaise
• 1 cup sour cream
• 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
• 1 tsp minced garlic
• 1 tsp onion powder
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/4 tsp black pepper
• 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper (adjust to taste)
• 1 tablespoon olive oil (for greasing the baking dish)

Instructions:

1. Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).

2. Prepare Spinach: Thoroughly drain the thawed spinach, squeezing out excess moisture.

3. Mix Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, combine the drained spinach, mayonnaise, sour cream, Parmesan cheese, mozzarella cheese, minced garlic, onion powder, salt, black pepper, and cayenne pepper. Mix until well combined.

4. Grease Baking Dish: Lightly grease a baking dish with olive oil.

5. Transfer to Baking Dish: Spoon the mixture into the prepared baking dish, spreading it evenly.

8. Serve: Remove from the oven and allow the dip to cool for a few minutes before serving. It pairs wonderfully with tortilla chips and fresh salsa.

9. Enjoy: Dive into the creamy, cheesy goodness of your homemade C-SPIN!

Feel free to customize the recipe to suit your taste preferences. This homemade version brings the essence of Houston’s C-SPIN into your kitchen, perfect for gatherings and parties.

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If you like this recipe for Houston’s Spinach Artichoke Dip you should try our recipe for the Best Guacamole

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