Spicy Artichoke/Spinach Dip

Quick party favorite of mine. Great to fix while watching the games or just having people over. I like to make it spicy to quench my Cajun taste buds.

• Ready In: 50 mins
• Serves: 10

Ingredients

• 1 (14 ounce) package  frozen  spinach leaves
• 1 (14 ounce) can artichoke hearts (not marinated)
• 4 -6  ounces cream cheese
• 1  cup milk
• 4  ounces parmesan cheese
• 3  garlic cloves (chopped or pressed)
• 1⁄4 cup  chopped onion
• 1  stalk celery, chopped
• 1⁄4 cup green onion, chopped
• 1 (4 ounce) can mushrooms
• 1⁄4 cup olive oil
• 4  ounces butter
•  salt & pepper
•  cayenne pepper or   red peppers or   any hot  spices, you like
•  Italian breadcrumbs
• 1⁄2 cup flour
•  chips or   French bread

Directions

1. In a sauce pan simmer olive oil, butter,onions, green onions, celery and garlic until onions are soft.
2. Using a food processor, drain and chop up the artichoke hearts, mushrooms and the spinach (must thaw and drain spinach before chopping, fresh spinach can be substituted) Set aside.
3. In a medium size pot bring milk, cream cheese, parmesan cheese to a soft boil.
4. Add salt, pepper and cayenne pepper to taste.
5. Add ingredients from sauce pan (onions, butter garlic, olive oil, butter, celery).
6. Whisk flour into mixture a little at a time so it does not lump up.
7. Let simmer for 5 minutes.
8. In a medium baking dish mix the ingredients set aside (artichoke hearts, spinach, mushrooms) and contents from the pot simmering on the stovetop.
9. The mixture should be no more than two inches thick in the dish.
10. Once mixed sprinkle a very light layer of bread crumbs over the top of the dip.
11. Cover dish and bake in over for 15 minutes at 350 degrees.
12. Uncover dish and bake for additional 15 minutes.
13. Serve hot with chips or I prefer very thinly cut french bread broiled to be toasted in the oven with a mixture of garlic and butter lathered on them. As soon as they start to turn brown they are toasted. They will burn shortly after.