Grilled Artichoke Dip: A Smoky and Creamy Delight

Introduction

Artichoke dip is a classic crowd-pleasing appetizer, but have you ever tried adding a smoky twist to it by grilling the artichokes? Grilling brings out the natural sweetness and imparts a charred flavor to the artichokes, elevating this creamy dip to a whole new level. Prepare to impress your guests with this Grilled Artichoke Dip recipe that combines smoky goodness with a rich and cheesy blend. Let's fire up the grill and get dipping!

Preparation Time

15 minutes Grilling Time: 25-30 minutes Total Time: 40-45 minutes Serves: 6-8

Ingredients

• 2 large artichokes
• 1 lemon, halved
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 cup mayonnaise
• 1 cup sour cream
• 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• Baguette slices, tortilla chips, or vegetables, for serving

Instructions

1. Preheat your grill to medium-high heat, around 400°F (200°C).
2. Prepare the artichokes by cutting off the top third of each artichoke and trimming the stem. Use kitchen shears to snip off the thorny tips of the remaining leaves. Rub the cut surfaces with the lemon halves to prevent discoloration.
3. Fill a large pot with water and bring it to a boil. Add a pinch of salt and the squeezed lemon halves to the boiling water. Place the artichokes in the pot and cook them for about 10 minutes, or until the leaves are tender when pulled.
4. Remove the artichokes from the boiling water and let them cool for a few minutes. Once they are cool enough to handle, cut them in half vertically. Use a spoon to scoop out the fuzzy choke from the center of each half.
5. Brush the cut sides of the artichokes with olive oil, and season with salt and pepper.
6. Place the artichokes cut-side down on the preheated grill. Grill them for about 10-15 minutes, or until they develop nice grill marks and are tender. Remove them from the grill and let them cool slightly.
7. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
8. In a mixing bowl, combine the mayonnaise, sour cream, Parmesan cheese, mozzarella cheese, minced garlic, chopped parsley, salt, and pepper. Mix well until all the ingredients are thoroughly combined.
9. Once the grilled artichokes have cooled, chop them into small pieces and add them to the cheese mixture. Gently fold everything together until the artichokes are evenly distributed.
10. Transfer the artichoke dip mixture to an oven-safe baking dish. Smooth the top with a spatula.
11. Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for 15-20 minutes, or until the dip is bubbly and golden on top.
12. Remove the dip from the oven and let it cool for a few minutes. Garnish with additional chopped parsley, if desired.
13. Serve the Grilled Artichoke Dip warm with baguette slices, tortilla chips, or an assortment of fresh vegetables.

Enjoy the smoky and creamy goodness of this Grilled Artichoke Dip, and let the flavors melt in your mouth!

Tips

• If fresh artichokes are not available, you can use canned or frozen artichoke hearts. Thaw