I am always so happy to sit with friends and/or family and discuss food, drink and recipes.  However, when the discussion conjures up wonderful memories, I’m more than happy. I’m over the top ecstatic.  I had this happen to me a few weeks ago when I was delighted to spend time with a relative who I hadn’t seen in a very long time.  It took us just a few minutes to feel deeply connected on so many levels.  Of course, our trip down memory lane had to include food.  We’re related, after all.  

There are several of her mom’s recipes are already on this blog, as she and I were always sharing recipes as new young brides who loved to cook and loved to eat.  Stuffed mushrooms and stuffed Cornish hens are two of my favorite recipes of hers.  You can find them in the archives.  I would have to say she was rather famous for these two dishes.  However, the one recipe that was her signature dish was her hot artichoke and mozzarella dip.  OMG did I love this!  Somehow, I never got the recipe from her, and I have tried to duplicate it using the many hot artichoke dips that are on the web.  While most of these are delicious, they just aren’t the same, and I was disappointed every time. 

As I reminisced about this cheesy, gooey scrumptious dip with her daughter, my mind flooded with memories.  I could see my cousin spooning this piping hot dip into a hollowed round loaf of bread…..one spoonful for the loaf and then one spoonful for her.  Sometimes I’d grab a spoon also, and we’d laugh, thinking there would be nothing left for the other guests.  The only thing I can equate this to is eating hot brownies with a spoon, right out of the pan.  Oh we did that too!  

Being gastronomically inclined seems to be hereditary …..at least in our family.  It’s how we relate.  It’s our heritage.  It’s hard to get through a visit without the conversation turning to food and the people and places that we recall so fondly.  I wouldn’t have it any other way.  This trip down memory lane really soothed my soul.  

 Now that I have this recipe and have re-connected with this lovely relative, I am so happy.  I have made the dip several times, and it’s a big hit just like it always was.  I don’t always put it in hollowed out bread.  I often serve it in a dish with crackers or sliced bread.  I’m told that as the years went on, Kathi started serving it with Everything Bagel Chips. I’m going to give that a try next time I make it.  It’s so delicious that I’m sure anything you serve it with will be great.  Just remember…….one spoonful for the bread/dish and one piping hot, goey, cheesy spoonful for you.  YUM!   

RECIPE:

1 8 ounce ( or 12 ounce) package of mozzarella, diced…….I used 12 ounces, but 8 is fine

1 cup of Parmesan cheese

1 cup of mayonnaise

2 cans of artichokes (in water NOT oil), drained and quartered

Garlic powder to taste

Mix together all ingredient in a bowl, and place in a greased baking dish.

Cook at 350 degrees, until bubbly…about 35 to 40 minutes.

Get your spoon ready!!!!