baby shower

To celebrate the arrival of Baby Dellin (due to arrive any second now!), Jessica and I threw together a little shower. I love baby showers! And I can't wait to meet the little mush.

...a look at the spread...

On the menu:

italian chicken salad on croissants

hot spinach and artichoke dip

green salad with avocados and grapefruit

vanilla cake with chocolate frosting

cookies and cream banana bread

fresh fruit with vanilla honey mascarpone dip

veggie crudite

How cute is our train cake?!

...and our train cookie favors!...

...all the cookies had a "D" for Dellin and a baby conductor.

I think the winner of the food turned out to be the spinach and artichoke dip, if I do say so myself. So, I thought I would share the recipe that I used:

Here's what you'll need:

2 (10-ounce) packages frozen spinach, thawed and squeezed dry
4 tablespoons unsalted butter
1 cup chopped yellow onions
1 tablespoon minced garlic
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
1/4 teaspoon cayenne
1/4 cup flour
1 cup milk
1 cup heavy cream
2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice
1 cup 1/2-inch cubes rindless Brie
1 cup grated Monterey Jack
1 (6 1/2-ounce) jar marinated artichoke hearts, drained and chopped
1/4 cup grated Parmesan

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Lightly grease a 9-inch round dish and set aside.

Thaw the spinach and squeeze to remove all excess water. Set aside. In a medium pot, melt the butter over medium-high heat. Add the onions and cook, stirring, for 3 minutes. Add the garlic, salt, pepper, and cayenne, and cook, stirring, for 1 minute. Add the flour and cook, stirring constantly, to make a light roux, about 2 minutes. Add the milk and cream in a steady stream, and cook, stirring constantly, until thick and creamy, 2 to 3 minutes. Add the cooked spinach and lemon juice, and stir to incorporate. Add the cubed and grated cheeses, artichoke hearts, and stir well. Remove from the heat and pour into the prepared dish. Top with the Parmesan and bake until bubbly, about 10 minutes. Remove from the oven and serve hot with assorted crackers or chips.