Ingredients

• Broiled Crostini
  (Note: Baked Crostini can be used instead of Broiled Crostini, if desired)
• 1 Italian, French or other baguette loaf
• olive oil (as needed for brushing on bread slices)
• 1 large garlic clove, sliced in half width-wise


• Dip
• 1 13 to 15-oz. can artichoke hearts, drained and chopped
• 1/2 cup mayonnaise
• 1/2 cup sour cream
• 5 oz. frozen chopped spinach, thawed
• 3/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 3/4 cup grated mozzarella cheese
• 1 teaspoon minced roasted garlic (recipe follows)

Directions

Arrange oven rack 4-6 inches below heating unit and preheat broiler.

Cut a baguette or other narrow loaf of bread into 1/4 to 1/2-inch-thick slices (1/4-inch slices are good for dipping into dips, while 1/2-inch slices are good for dipping as well as topping wth ingredients) and arrange on a baking sheet. Pour a little olive oil (about 2 tablespoons) into a very small bowl. Using a pastry brush, brush tops of bread slices with olive oil. Turn bread slices over and brush with olive oil again, adding more olive oil to bowl as needed.

Place baking sheet with bread slices under broiling unit and watch closely. As soon as bread slices turn golden brown around the edges and are just beginning to turn golden on the top, remove from oven (2-4 minutes, depending on distance from heating unit). Turn slices over and broil again until golden. Remove from oven, then rub the sliced sides of the garlic halves over one surface of each slice of bread. Set aside while preparing dip.


Preheat oven to 375° F.

Peel one large garlic clove and cut off the tip. Coat with olive oil, then place in a shallow 8x8 or 9x9-inch baking dish (you will also use this baking dish for baking the dip). Bake in oven for about 15 minutes or until tender. Remove from oven, then place garlic clove on a cutting board and allow to cool, then mince. (Do not turn oven off.)

Place thawed spinach between a towel or a few paper towels and squeeze out water. In a medium mixing bowl, combine chopped artichoke hearts, mayonnaise, sour cream, spinach, Parmesan, mozzarella and roasted, minced garlic. Mix until thoroughly blended and transfer to the shallow baking dish you used for roasting the garlic. (Tip: If you plan to serve this dip directly from the baking dish, using an attractive baking dish is recommended.) Dip may also be transferred to a serving bowl onced baked, though might cool a little more quickly.

Bake for 22-25 minutes, or until slightly browned, especially around the edges. Remove from oven and serve accompanied by Broiled Crostini in the baking dish using a Hot Plate Holder or transfer to a separate serving bowl. If desired, garnish with diced tomatoes, chopped parsley and Parmesan cheese.