Artichoke Dinner

I have wanted to try using artichokes for dinner in several different dishes.
My in-laws have a recipe for crab and artichoke dip which is very good, but I wanted to try artichoke in a main dish as well as an appetizer. So, when I got home this evening I made dinner.

Here are the recipes I used:

Italian Style Pasta Toss

Ingredients

• 1 (14.5 ounce) can diced tomatoes with garlic and onion, undrained
• 1 (8 ounce) bottle Italian or Caesar salad dressing
• 1 (6.5 ounce) jar marinated artichoke hearts, undrained
• 1 (6 ounce) can pitted ripe olives, drained
• 1 (3 ounce) package sliced pepperoni
• 1 medium green pepper, chopped
• 2 medium carrots, thinly sliced
• 2 green onions, sliced
• 4 cups cooked tortellini
• shredded Parmesan cheese

Directions

1. In a large bowl, combine the first eight ingredients. Add tortellini and toss to coat. Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese. Serve immediately with a slotted spoon or refrigerate.

Artichoke Dip

Ingredients

• 4 cloves garlic
• 1 (10 ounce) package frozen chopped spinach, thawed and drained
• 1 (14 ounce) can artichoke hearts, drained and chopped
• 1 (10 ounce) container Alfredo-style pasta sauce
• 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
• 1/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1/2 (8 ounce) package cream cheese, softened

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
2. Place garlic in a small baking dish. Bake in the preheated oven 20 to 30 minutes, until soft. Remove from heat. When cool enough to touch, squeeze softened garlic from skins.
3. In an 8x8 inch baking dish, spread the roasted garlic, spinach, artichoke hearts, Alfredo-style pasta sauce, mozzarella cheese, Parmesan cheese and cream cheese.
4. Cover and bake in the preheated oven 30 minutes, or until cheeses are melted and bubbly. Serve warm.

Because I was a bit rushed for time, I did not roast the garlic before placing this in the oven. I would say I enjoyed dinner very much. The pasta toss was very good. I would eat it again. As for the artichoke dip, I also enjoyed it as well.

To my surprise, my husband also enjoyed dinner and doesn't mind the leftovers. I think I like artichokes now!

Thanks for reading
Lynn