warm artichoke and bacon dip with pita chips

I don't even know who I am anymore.

A savory dish on Sweet Peony?  What is this madness?

Listening to country music while I baked this?  What the what??

Wait.

Intentionally listening to country music while I baked this?  WHO AM I?!?!!

I actually have a reasonable explanation for sharing a dish with zero sugar in it.  The Super Bowl is coming up.  Super Bowl ≠ Dessert.  Super Bowl = Snacks.  For as much as I love sweets and dessert, deep down, I am a snacky, eat Goldfish for dinner, salt-loving carboholic.


Aaaand that statement has made it clear to me that I have some serious dietary issues.

As I was saying, the Super Bowl demands dip.  So, I have provided you with dip.  Problem solved.


Now, this dip is- do I even need to say it?  I mean, it has bacon and cheese in it and it's baked until it's bubbly and gooey.  What do you think it's like?  (The answer is heaven.)

Buuuttttt, it took me a few times to get it right.  The first time I made this dip, I used a recipe I found.  I thought I had bought all of the ingredients, but I forgot the mayonnaise.  And since I had already changed out of my go out in public clothes into my comfy clothes and didn't want to change again, or drive 5 minutes to the store for stinkin' mayo, I decided to make my own mayonnaise, which, yes, I realize is actually more effort than going to the store.  My laziness knows no bounds.

Anywho, I made the dip with the homemade mayo and the whole thing separated.  Was it the mayo?  I have noooo idea.  But guess where I ended up later that day?  The store!  Which led me to the most awkward interaction with a Trader Joe's cashier.

TJ's cashier: "You know, you're never going to gain any weight with all this healthy stuff."
Me: "What?"
TJ's cashier: "Nobody likes a skinny Asian chick."
Me: "... Ha... ha........ ha."
TJ's cashier: "Seriously.  You want me to go get you some chips?"

Ooookay?  Apparently two tubs of mascarpone cheese, a block of cream cheese, whole milk, bacon, and a thing of mayonnaise qualify as healthy.  Weirdo.

So, I get home and try the dip again, and another failure.  Arrgghhhh!  Maybe it wasn't the mayo afterall.  I threw away that dadgum recipe and went to the store for the third time.  I put what I wanted in the dip and voila!  Perfection.  I guess third time really is the charm.


On the other hand, who knew pita chips were so easy to make at home?  Super easy and super crunchy.  Yummers.  This whole situation is a touchdown.  (Corrrrny!)


Anyway, this dip would be perfect for your Super Bowl party.  Or any day you just want something awesome to shove your face in.

Warm Artichoke and Bacon Dip with Pita Chips
makes one 9” baking dish of dip
Printer-Friendly Version

Ingredients:
For the Pita Chips:
1 teaspoon cumin
1 teaspoon chili powder
1/2 teaspoon coarse salt
5 pieces of pita
1-2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil

For the Dip:
2 teaspoons extra virgin olive oil
12 oz. frozen artichokes, thawed and chopped
1/2 medium onion, finely chopped
2 cloves garlic, finely minced
1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
8 ounces mascarpone cheese
4 ounces cream cheese
1/2 cup parmesan cheese, grated
1/4 cup mayonnaise
5 strips bacon, cooked and crumbled, divided
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper

Directions:
For the Pita Chips:  Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.  

In a small bowl, combine the spices and salt.  Set aside.

Cut each pita into 8 wedges.  Place the pita wedges in a single layer on a baking sheet.  Drizzle the pita wedges with the olive oil, then sprinkle with the spice mixture.

Bake for 12-15 minutes, or until golden and crispy.

For the Dip:  Lower the oven temperature to 350 degrees F.

In a large skillet, add the oil, then cook the artichokes, onion, garlic, and red pepper flakes over medium-high heat until the artichokes begin to brown, about 8-10 minutes.

While the veggies are cooking, combine the cheeses, mayonnaise, half of the crumbled bacon, salt, and pepper in a large bowl.  When the veggies are done, add them to the bowl.  Mix well to combine.  Pour into a 9” baking dish.

Bake for 10-15 minutes, or just until the edges begin to bubble.  Remove from the oven and top with the remaining bacon crumbles.  Serve with the pita chips, tortilla chips, or crackers.  Enjoy!

And yeah. I don't even have a clue about the country music. Someone get me some help!