Vegan Spinach Artichoke Dip

The verdicts

Ingredients

• 1/4 cup raw cashews soaked overnight in cold water (see notes)
• 1 cup plain, unsweetened non-dairy milk
• 1 tsp fresh lemon juice or apple cider vinegar
• 2 tbsp + 1/2 tsp tapioca starch
• 1 tsp olive oil
• 3/4 tsp salt
• 1 tbsp nutritional yeast
• 2 tsp yellow or white miso (optional)
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1/2 white or yellow onion thinly sliced
• 3 cloves garlic minced
• 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes (or less to taste)
• 1/8 tsp freshly ground black pepper (or to taste)
• 1/4 tsp paprika
• 1 14-oz. can artichoke hearts drained and roughly chopped (drained weight 8 oz.; I used the unmarinated kind)
• 2 oz. fresh baby spinach thinly sliced

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit and lightly grease a cast iron skillet (mine is about 6 inches in diameter) or ramekin.
2. Combine all of the ingredients for the blender mixture in a blender or food processor, scraping down the sides as needed and blending until completely smooth. Strain using a nut milk bag if needed. Set aside.
3. In a wide skillet or saute pan, heat the olive oil of medium heat. Add the onion and cook, stirring occasionally, for 4-5 minutes or until the onion is translucent and starting to turn golden. Add the garlic, chili flakes, pepper, and paprika and stir. Cook for another 1 minute or until fragrant.
4. Give the reserved blender mixture another stir and then add it to the pan. Stir every few seconds, making sure to scrape around the bottom of the saucepan to keep from sticking. The mixture will start to get chunky in places; when you see this happening, start to stir constantly until the mixture smooths out again and becomes one cohesive, somewhat stretchy mass.
5. Add the spinach and artichoke hearts to the pan and stir in as best you can. Continue to cook for about 2 minutes more or until the spinach pieces wilt a little bit.
6. Taste the mixture for salt and add more if desired. Transfer to the prepared dish and smooth out. For improved browning, lightly spray or brush the top with additional olive oil. If you have a broiler, bake for 10 minutes and then broil on high for another 3-4 minutes, until nice and browned and bubbly on top. If you don't have a broiler, bake for about 15-20 minutes, or until slightly crusty and light brown on top.
7. Remove from the oven, let cool for a couple of minutes so that nobody burns their mouths, and then serve hot.

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