Artichoke and Jalapeno Pepper Dip Makes a nice anytime dip. I started making artichoke dip when I began reading Philip R. Craig's Martha's Vineyard Mystery novels. Craig's protagonist, J.W. Jackson eats a lot of smoked bluefish and artichoke dip. The recipe in the book has no heat, but this one does.

INGREDIENTS

3-14-ounce cans artichoke hearts, drain well, rinse and chop
1 cup light mayonnaise
1 cup grated parmesan cheese
1 small can green chili peppers, drain and chop
1-1/2 tbspn canned jalapeno peppers, chop
2 cloves garlic, finely minced
1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
Paprika for garnish (optional)
One loaf of French bread, sliced on an angle and toasted

DIRECTIONS

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

To a large bowl add the following, chopped artichoke hearts, mayonnaise, Parmesan cheese, chili peppers, jalapeno peppers, garlic and cumin. Stir to blend mixture. A 1-1/2 quart oven-proof glass casserole dish is best for baking this dip. Spoon artichoke mixture into casserole dish, do not oil. Do not smooth mixture. Sprinkle lightly with paprika.

Bake casserole uncovered, on the middle rack of oven for 25 to 30 minutes or until hot and bubbling. Do not turn oven off, you will use it again to toast French bread. When dip is done, remove it from oven and let it stand 10 to 15 minutes before serving.

While waiting for the artichoke and jalapeno pepper dip cool down, brush light olive or vegetable oil over the sliced French bread and toast under broiler for a few minutes. Watch the bread carefully, it will brown quickly. Serve dip on warm toasted bread. If you prefer, you may serve dip with water crackers or tortilla chips. This is also delicious with carrot sticks.

This dip will serve a small crowd. Or, you can divide the mixture and bake it in two or three oven-proof bowls or matched ramekins.

Makes 4-1/2 to 5 cups of dip.

I enjoy what I call hard-core mystery novels, but I also enjoy cozy mysteries. Philip R. Craig's Martha's Vineyard Mystery novels are somewhere in the middle. I love this series and would have loved to meet him before he passed away. He quickly became one of my favorite authors. See A Beautiful Place to Die: The First Martha's Vineyard Mystery (Martha's Vineyard Mysteries (Avon Books)) available from an Amazon seller. Buy this book and perhaps you will be as hooked I as am.