Spinach dip in a Sourdough bread bowl

For the Bradshaw Family Christmas party this year, we were assigned to bring an appetizer. After mulling over our options, we settled on spinach dip, one of my favorite dishes.

I headed to the local Walmart figuring I would find the little soup mix box with the recipe on the side. They didn't have it. I picked up the Great Value brand Onion Soup mix and figured I could make it work. I knew I also needed spinach, mayo, sour cream, and water chestnuts, based on prior experiences with spinach dip, so I grabbed these items and headed home. Oh, and also some sourdough. A boule and a square (for dipping).

Fortunately, I found this recipe online using the onion soup mix. It's basically the same as the more well-known Knorr recipe, except with a different flavor soup.

Spinach Dip
1 10-oz package frozen spinach, thawed and drained
1 c mayonnaise
1 packet onion soup mix
1 1/2 c sour cream (about 16 oz.)
1 can water chestnuts, drained and diced

1. Thaw and drain spinach. I pour the spinach into a colander and let lukewarm water run through it in the sink until it is no longer icy. Squeeze water out of spinach. I also find it helpful to chop the spinach a little extra.
2. Mix sour cream and mayonnaise.
3. Add onion soup mix and stir to combine.
4. Add spinach and water chestnuts and continue to mix until well dispersed.

Spinach dip is especially yummy and pretty when presented in a sourdough boule. You will need to cut out the top and middle of the bread boule to turn it into a bread bowl. This is accomplished by taking a knife and carefully slicing into the top of the bread, being sure not to cut through the bottom. You have to use your hands to pull the inside of the bread out, and then continue to shape the inside so it can hold the max amount of dip.

For our party, I doubled the amount of dip (still using only one can of water chestnuts). I cut the sourdough boule insides, and the sourdough square loaf, into small cubes (~ 1-2"). Not all of the dip fit into my bread bowl so I kept the extra in a separate bowl. The idea is to use the small bread cubes to dip into the spinach dip, and at the end you can also eat the bread bowl (of course!).

La soupe delicieuse

What can you make that is fast, easy, delicious, and will satisfy your appetite for things French?

French Onion Soup, of course!

French Onion Soup
1 packet onion soup mix
1 loaf French bread, sliced
Swiss cheese, sliced, enough to cover the slices of French bread you plan to eat (or, if you can find it, use French Gruyère cheese)

1. Prepare onion soup as directed on package.
2. Slice French bread into thick slices that will fit into the bowls you are planning to eat from.
3. Put bread slices on a baking sheet and place in the oven at about 350°F for about 10 minutes, or until hot.
4. Place bread into bowls. Lay cheese slices on top.
5. Pour HOT soup over bread and cheese. The cheese will melt (in theory).
6. Serve soup by itself for a light but filling meal, or enjoy as an appetizer with your favorite French entrée.

French bread ready to go into the oven... with some garlic bread in the back, too

Walmart brand even makes onion soup mix!

Soup, simmering

French bread with Swiss cheese

Pouring soup over bread & cheese

Cheese, melted onto bread

oxox