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Hey there, fellow soup enthusiasts!

As we continue our delightful journey through Soupy September, we’re about to dive into a bowl of pure comfort that’s got a playful twist. Get ready to experience the Creamy Spinach and Artichoke Soup – a creation that’s giving a nod to the beloved bar food, spin-dip. I’ve taken all the goodness of that addictive dip and transformed it into a velvety soup that’s here to steal the show.

Creamy Spinach and Artichoke Soup

Ingredients:

• 2 cups fresh spinach, washed and chopped
• 1 can (14 oz) artichoke hearts, drained and chopped
• 1 onion, chopped
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 4 cups vegetable broth
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 teaspoon lemon zest
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Optional garnishes: extra Parmesan, chopped fresh parsley

Instructions:

1. In a large pot, heat the olive oil and butter over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and garlic, and sauté until the onion is translucent.
2. Add the chopped artichoke hearts to the pot and sauté for a couple of minutes until they’re slightly softened.
3. Pour in the vegetable broth and bring the mixture to a gentle simmer. Let it cook for about 10 minutes, allowing the flavours to meld.
4. Add the chopped spinach to the pot and let it wilt in the simmering broth.
5. Using an immersion blender or a regular blender, carefully blend the soup until smooth and creamy. If using a regular blender, work in batches and be cautious with hot liquids.
6. Return the blended soup to the pot and place it over low heat. Stir in the heavy cream and grated Parmesan cheese, allowing them to melt into the soup.
7. Add the lemon zest and season the soup with salt and pepper to taste. Give it a good stir to ensure all the flavors are well combined.
8. Let the soup simmer gently for another 5 minutes, allowing all the ingredients to come together beautifully.
9. Taste and adjust the seasoning if needed.
10. Ladle the Creamy Spinach and Artichoke Soup into bowls, and if desired, sprinkle some extra Parmesan cheese and chopped fresh parsley on top.
11. Serve the soup warm, savoring each spoonful of this delicious, creamy creation.

Crockpot Instructions:

1. In a skillet, sauté the onion, garlic, and artichoke hearts as described in steps 1 and 2. Transfer the sautéed mixture to a crockpot.
2. Add the vegetable broth and chopped spinach to the crockpot. Cover and cook on low for 4-5 hours or until the vegetables are tender.
3. Use an immersion blender to blend the soup directly in the crockpot until smooth and creamy.
4. Stir in the heavy cream, grated Parmesan, and lemon zest. Let the soup cook on low for an additional 30 minutes.
5. Season with salt and pepper to taste, and serve as described in steps 10 and 11.

Instant Pot Instructions:

1. Set the Instant Pot to “Sauté” mode. Heat the olive oil and butter, then sauté the onion, garlic, and artichoke hearts as described in steps 1 and 2.
2. Press “Cancel” to turn off the sauté function. Add the vegetable broth and chopped spinach to the Instant Pot.
3. Close the Instant Pot lid and set the valve to “Sealing.” Select the “Soup” setting and adjust the time to 10 minutes.
4. Once the cooking cycle is complete, perform a quick pressure release by carefully turning the valve to “Venting.”
5. Use an immersion blender to blend the soup until smooth and creamy.
6. Stir in the heavy cream, grated Parmesan, and lemon zest. Press the “Sauté” button again and let the soup simmer for a few minutes until heated through.
7. Season with salt and pepper to taste, and serve as described in steps 10 and 11. Enjoy your Creamy Spinach and Artichoke Soup!

Velvety Spinach and Luscious Artichokes:
Here’s to Creamy Spinach and Artichoke Soup – a fun and delightful twist on a bar food favourite. It’s proof that inspiration can come from the most unexpected places, and that a little creativity can turn everyday ingredients into something truly special. As you dig into this bowl of comfort, remember the good times, the laughter, and the joy of discovering new flavours. And who knows, you might just find yourself reminiscing about those bar nights while savouring each spoonful.

Cheers to good food and good times!