I have to admit that one of the things I love the most about public health school is that my desire to make healthified versions of classic foods is usually well received. I have a great group of friends that have tried protein cookies, kale soup, peppermint bark cookie dough balls, protein oaties, and my latest creation: vegan spinach artichoke dip.
My quest through vegan cooking is intentional. My dear friend has a terrible dairy and soy intolerance, which makes baking quite the challenge. It also makes any dish that involves cheese nearly impossible. Nearly is the key word. Thankfully, there is one rice cheese on the market that has great melting properties.
I was kind of skeptical of Daiya dairy free mozzarella. Rice cheese that melts? And not into rubber? But friends, this stuff is good. Almost makes you forget that its not real cheese.
Vegan Spinach Artichoke Dip (adapted from Yeah That Vegan Shit)
- 1 can Great Northern Beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 small sweet onion, diced
- 2 garlic cloves, finely minced
- 2 packed cups fresh baby spinach
- 1 can artichoke hearts (packed in water), chopped into bite sized pieces
- 1 cup Daiya mozzarella shreds + 2 tbsp
- 2 tbsp nutritional yeast
1. Heat a large skillet over medium low heat, add olive oil. Saute diced onion until translucent. Add garlic and cook for an additional 2-3 minutes. Add whole spinach leaves (or chopped if you prefer finer pieces) until they are just beginning to wilt. You do not want fully cooked, soggy spinach.
2. Puree beans in a food processor, blender, whatever you’ve got, to form a thick paste.
3. Spread this bean paste in a 2 quart baking dish. Add the mozzarella shreds and mix well. Mix in onion, garlic and spinach mixture to combine. Gently mix in artichoke pieces.
4. Sprinkle the top with nutritional yeast.
5. Cover and bake for 20 minutes at 400F. Uncover, sprinkle with remaining 2tbsp of cheese and bake for an additional 10 minutes.
Enjoy with pita chips, corn tortillas, carrots, whatever. I prefer something salty with it. But trust me on this: vegan cheese is surprisingly good. You will not even know it’s missing in this dip.
Not to mention that this is completely acceptable as health food. It contains beans for healthy protein and fresh spinach to channel your inner Popeye. I’ll be enjoying my left overs for dinner tonight.
{ 18 comments… read them below or add one }
I love adding beans to dishes that traditionally don’t have beans – so this looks awesome and filling! I have yet to try the Daiya cheese, glad to see it is good
Ooooh I’ve been wanting to try this ‘cheese’! I can’t find it here, though.
Awesome. I have never tried a cheese sub but you are making me want to! The ones in my supermarket are a bit scary, though…
Ooooh my mouth is watering
I love spinach dip!!! Your friend’s story reminded me of Zooey Deschanel (however you spell her name). She’s a vegetarian, but she’s allergic to gluten and soy I think. Sounds crazy hard to work with, but with the Internet, I’m sure it’s getting easier and easier to come up with things to eat!
This looks great. I love spinach and artichoke dip. I’ll admit, I’m a little freaked out by the rice cheese, but it does look like real cheese.
I love that you added beans in there too! Such a good idea!
This looks really good!! I’ve heard great things about the Daiya cheese, but have yet to try it. And I think it totally qualifies as a health food. Anything with beans in it is automatically healthy, right??
I have a special place in my heart for spinach artichoke dip. But I’m sure my heart would thank me more if I chose this version over the original, sightly more artery clogging version!
I haven’t tried Daiya, but have heard great things. I suppose I could substitute real low fat cheese and it would be just as healthy.
Hope you’re enjoying your weekend!
Ohhh this looks good!! I can’t ever have good cheesy dips cause I’m allergic to most cheeses so this looks right up my alley
Let me know when you’re free! I neeeeed you back in my liiife!!!!
must. make. this. i LOVE spin artichoke dip!!!
This cheese is AWESOME. I use it all the time. The pepper jack is great for nachos, but harder to find.
so excited this doesn’t have soy either!!!
sounds delicious! Oh BTW Daiya is not made from rice, it’s made from tapioca starch.
This looks really great! I’ve been on the lookout for a vegan spinach artichoke dip and am looking forward to trying this! Just FYI, Daiya does not contain rice – it’s tapioca based…
We also have a severe dairy and soy allergy in our house and LOVE Daiya!! It has saved us with a picky 6 year old who loves grilled cheese! I can’t wait to try this recipe!
If you’re having trouble finding Daiya, their website has a store locator…I have to go for a half hour drive to get it, but it’s not too inconvenient for us because the store isn’t too far from Costco, so we just do it all at once
Fantastic! Made this for the 4th yesterday and it was a hit with my entire family! My health food store was out of Daiya, so I had to use Follow your Heart vegan Mozzarella. It might have been EVEN better with Daiya, but turned out plenty tasty the way it was! Thanks SO MUCH for this new staple for our summer cookouts! YUM!
Glad you enjoyed it!
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