Spinach Artichoke Dip

Remember when this blog used to have recipes?! The thought of prep work lately is enough to make me want to take a nap. So due to the lack of energy, there has been a lack of cooking in my kitchen, which never makes me happy. So Ladies and Gentlemen.. where there is a will there is a way! The way is my lovely crockpot. I personally feel that every person in the world should own one.. so my crockpot may just become my right hand and ease me back into the cooking world once again!

Being vegan is a lot of fun, BUT I won't lie I do miss one thing.. spinach artichoke dip.. there is nothing like a creamy cheesy dip on a piece of toast.. so here is my veganized version that is ten times better than any spin dip I had before.. and it's easy!

You will need:

• 10oz of baby spinach (about 2 cups)
• 1 can of quartered artichoke hearts NOT marinated
• 1 clove of garlic minced
• 1 small onion minced (finely finely diced)
• a splash of liquid smoke
• olive oil for the skillet (about 2 tablespoons)
• 1/4 tsp paprika
• 1/4 tsp nutmeg
• a DASH of water
• salt and pepper to taste
• 1 recipe of cashew sour cream
• combine 3/4 cups cashews
• juice of about half a lemon
• 1/2 cup of water
• Put this all in food processor and puree until combined and creamy

Oil the crockpot a little bit with spray oil.. I prefer spray olive oil or spray canola oil. Put all of the ingredients in your handy crockpot and mix well... set your crockpot to medium and allow it to work it's thing for about 45 minutes to an hour. If you have an older crockpot and you can't choose your setting, it will automatically be on low.. so leave it for about 1 and a half hours to 2 hours. This is perfect the way it is, but if you would like to add your vegan cheese of choice, feel free to play! You can't go wrong!

If you are using this recipe to put over pasta like I did, then just dump the can of artichoke hearts in the crock pot.. if you want to use it more as a dip, spoon out the artichoke hearts and add about half of the liquid that is in the can.

Enjoy!!