Spinach Artichoke and Crawfish Dip

Ingredients

• 1 lb crawfish tail meat, coarsely chopped
• 1 can (14 oz) artichoke hearts, drained and chopped
• 1 lb frozen chopped spinach, thawed, drained and squeezed dry
• 1 small yellow onion, diced
• 1 shallot, diced
• 1 bell pepper, peeled and diced
• 1 stalk celery, chopped
• 3 cloves garlic, crushed
• 1-2 oz pickled jalapeno (8-20)
• 12 oz (3 C) shredded mozzarella cheese (divided use)
• 8 oz (2 C) smoked gouda cheese (divided use)
• ¼ C grated Parmesan cheese (divided use)
• 8 oz (1 C) sour cream
• 8 oz cream cheese, cubed and softened
• 1 tbs Cajun seasoning
• ¼ tsp black pepper
• 1 tbs Louisiana hot sauce
• 2 tbs cooking oil or butter
• 1 tbs rice wine
• ½ C crispy Jalapeno pieces (Optional)

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 400°
2. Mix all the gouda, mozzarella, and Parmesan and set aside.
3. Heat the cooking oil or butter over medium high heat and sauté the onions and celery until limp and the onions begin to color.
4. Add the crawfish tail meat and creole seasoning and deglaze with rice wine and hot sauce.
5. Remove from heat and set aside. Add the cream cheese to help it incorporate.
6. Combine the artichoke hearts, spinach, sour cream, minced garlic, black pepper, and half the cheese mix in large bowl.
7. Add the crawfish mixture and stir until well-blended.
8. Spoon the mixture into a buttered 1½-quart baking dish
9. Top with rest of the cheese mix and Jalapeno pieces and bake for 30-45 minutes or until bubbly and golden brown.
10. Serve with toasted naan, Pita chips, tortilla chips, water crackers, or melba toast.

Chef's Notes

• Over-season the crawfish because the cream cheese and sour cream will make it bland
• Add pickled jalapenos and way more than you think you will need
• Medium cheddar can replace smoked gouda, but it tends to be a little oilier and a little saltier
• Check seasoning before adding salt if you're using Cajun seasoning with salt.
• You can add (or substitute) any seafood with the crawfish (like crabmeat or shrimp)
• As a serving alternative, you can add the dip to buttered ramekins and air fry @400°F for 15 minutes