So, I’m trying to get back into the habit of marketing books by way of our stomachs, ie. recipes tied to a book. The newest WIP isn’t ready yet, but it has ties to a previous book, so voila! This was a fun book to write because not only does it visit one of my favorite fictional bars, I got to do a bit of fan fiction with characters from Roxanne St. Claire’s Barefoot Bay world. This all-in-one dip is easy, cheesy, and yummy. And yeah, it’s one of my favorite dips. I think I’ve mentioned that before…like several times.

Cheesy Spinach and Artichoke Bread Ring Dip

Ingredients:

12 frozen dinner roll dough balls (I use Rhode’s brand)
8 oz cream cheese, softened
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1/2 cup grated Romano cheese
1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
1/4 cup sour cream
1 (14 oz) can (1 1/2 cups) artichoke hearts, drained and chopped
3/4 cup frozen chopped spinach, thawed and drained of excess water
2 cloves garlic, chopped (about 1 tsp)
1 tsp basil
1/2 tsp crushed red pepper flakes
Olive oil
Pita chips or crackers (optional)

Directions:

1 – Coat a 10-inch oven-safe skillet with olive oil.

2 – Place the dough balls in a ring around the skillet. Cover and thaw until the rolls rise and double in size.

3 – Combine cream cheese, Parmesan, Romano, mozzarella, sour cream, artichokes, spinach, garlic, basil and red pepper flakes.

4 – Scoop the cheesy mixture into the center of the thawed rolls.

5 – Brush the rolls with olive oil and top with an additional sprinkle of cheese (optional).

6 – Bake at 375˚F for 25 minutes. (If the bread browns too quickly, lower oven temperature to 350˚F or cover the bread with a ring of foil.)

7 – Remove from oven and let cool slightly before serving.

I know it’s still hot outside, but it’s always warm down in Key West at Mother Goose’s Bar. And yes, you’ll find the Hard Target team chowing down on this. Bear, the bartender, doesn’t fix this big-appetite dish for just anyone so feel priviledged if a cast-iron skillet lands on your table with a refill of your favorite beverage. DOUBLE TROUBLE is book 1.5 in the Hard Target series. Want to know more about the Hard Target team? Check out DOUBLE CROSS to find out how the team came together. Just click on the title or any pic with the cover. You can also go back and check out MOON SHOT, where we first meet SEAL Team Atlantis, the precursor to the Hard Target team. The you can also follow-up with CROSS FIRE, the latest release in this series. This dip goes great with a good book. Just sayin’… What’s your favorite dip? And what do you dip in it?