Clone Recipe of CPK’s Spinach Artichoke Dip

There are two restaurants, Cheesecake Factory and California Pizza Kitchen, that have a Spinach Artichoke dip my little people will devour leaving nothing behind but devastation. After watching yet another bowl being devoured before the adults could join the tortilla chip party, I was determined to clone the recipe with some reverse engineering. After a few test drives, I can say that this recipe is pretty darn close.

It has been served at a few get-together’s and it’s really, truly, a crowd favorite.

So without further adieu….

Here is the Clone of California Pizza Kitchens Spinach Artichoke Dip.

Grab the following ingredients:

Spinach Dip Enge-007

Spinach Dip Enge-009

Let’s start with some onions. You want them to blend with the dip and not stand out.

This required a small dice, think 1/8 of an inch.

Spinach Dip Enge-010

Just like that…. now prepare your Garlic.

Spinach Dip Enge-012

Mince it very small or use the jar stuff. You can add a little more if you like.

Spinach Dip Enge-011

Now heat your butter and oil in a large pan over a medium heat, be careful not to burn the butter.

Spinach Dip Enge-014

Add those tiny onions.

Spinach Dip Enge-016

Let them soften for a few minutes (3-4min) and then add your garlic.

Spinach Dip Enge-018

Make sure not to burn your garlic – turn your heat down if the garlic starts to brown.

Spinach Dip Enge-020

Next add your floor

Spinach Dip Enge-021

ad stir it in good to make your roux.

Spinach Dip Enge-023

This is what it will look like when it comes together, the sauce turns golden after the flour has been incorporated – cooked off. It takes about 10 minutes.

Spinach Dip Enge-024

Next slowly add your chicken broth, I am using a spatula, but a whisk would be a much better choice.

Spinach Dip Enge-025

It has come together, now where is that darn whisk?

Spinach Dip Enge-027

Found it – now add your cream. (To reduce calories you can substitute with Half and Half)

Spinach Dip Enge-028

Gently whisk, your pan is getting full.

Spinach Dip Enge-029

It is starting to smell quite good.

Spinach Dip Enge-030

Now add your parmesan,

Spinach Dip Enge-031

chicken stock base

Spinach Dip Enge-032

lemon juice

Spinach Dip Enge-033

and sugar.

Spinach Dip Enge-035

Stir it all together and remove from the heat.

Spinach Dip Enge-036

Next add your sour cream

Spinach Dip Enge-037

Artichoke Hearts that have been

Spinach Dip Enge-038

finely minced.

Spinach Dip Enge-039

and some Monterey Jack Cheese. I highly suggest grating it yourself on a fine mesh.

Spinach Dip Enge-040

It will melt into the dip easier, and will not leave behind unmelted chunks.

Spinach Dip Enge-042

Next, defrost and drain your CHOPPED baby spinach.

Spinach Dip Enge-044

Ice cold spinach will hamper your dip making abilities. Don’t bring a cold friend to a warm party.

Spinach Dip Enge-045

Mix carefully, the pan is getting really full now. If you are having trouble combining the last ingredients, (that spinach was perhaps a touch too cold) it is okay to put the heat on low and stir away until everything is married together.

Spinach Dip Enge-047

Looks and Smells perfect.

Spinach Dip Enge-054

Serve with warm chips. And pat yourself on the back – you did it.

Great job Friends.

Clone of California Pizza Kitchen's Spinach Artichoke Dip
Prep time: 
Total time: 
Serves: 8
 
Ingredients
  • ¼ cup olive oil
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • ¾ cup diced white onion, cut into ⅛-inch dice
  • 2 tablespoon minced garlic
  • ½ cup all-purpose flour
  • 1½ cup chicken stock (preferable homemade)
  • 1½ cup heavy cream
  • ¾ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese (use the good stuff)
  • 1 tablespoons chicken stock base
  • 1½ tablespoon freshly squeezed lemon juice
  • 1 tablespoon sugar
  • ¾ cup sour cream
  • 16 ounces frozen chopped baby spinach, defrosted, drained, wrung out by hand
  • 6 ounces canned artichoke bottoms, drained and cut into ⅛-inch pieces
  • 1 cup finely shredded Monterey Jack cheese
  • ¾ teaspoon Tabasco Sauce
  • white corn tortilla chips
Instructions
  1. In a large saucepan, warm the olive oil and butter together over medium heat. When the butter has melted, add the onion and cook, stirring occasionally, until wilted, 3 to 4 minutes. Stir in the garlic and cook 2 to 3 minutes longer, stirring frequently and stopping before the onion and garlic brown.
  2. Sprinkle the flour and continue cooking, stirring continuously, until the mixture turns a golden-blond color, 10 to 15 minutes. Then, whisking continuously, slowly pour in the stock until it is smoothly incorporated. When the mixture begins to simmer, stir in the cream. Let it return to the simmer. Remove from the heat, add the Parmesan, chicken base or bouillon cubes, lemon juice, and sugar, and stir until thoroughly blended.
  3. Add the sour cream, spinach, artichoke bottoms, Monterey Jack cheese and Tabasco sauce, and stir until the ingredients are thoroughly combined and the cheese has melted. Transfer to a warmed serving bowl and serve immediately, accompanied white corn tortilla chips.

kathleen sign grey


Pin It

Comments

  1. My “I ate way too much spinach artichoke dip” stuffed sensation just came back. Soooo yummy! Thanks for always taking care of your friends. 🙂

  2. You demonstrate a serious knack for the painstaking work that is breaking down the DNA building blocks of coveted mega-chain restaurant recipes, Can a Kathleen’s Clone’s cookbook be far behind?

  3. Yeah Kat! You should really make a Kathleen’s Clone’s Cookbook!!! 😉

  4. Hi Kathleen,
     
    I am turning the big 5.0. soon and I’ve been thinking of getting myself a gift because of course I deserve it! I was thinking the other day about getting a new Brighton shiny purse, but then it hit me! I want to get a good camera! So I am putting the question out to those photographers that I highly respect and appreciate the good photos from. What camera would you recommend. The owner of Lily who has a storybook as well on my site said she has the Nikon D90, but others have said the Canon Rebel?
     
    Do you have any suggestions. I am currently just a small digial Nikon user but want to move up to a digital SLR.
     
    Any suggestions you have are appreciated!
     
    Thanks for the spinach dip recipe. I am going to give a 50th birthday party here for a friend and I am making two of your recipes, the spinach dip and the lasagna. I am going to put some of the spinach dip add some items and put in on top of mushrooms and make stuffed mushrooms out of it as well!
     
    Julie

  5. This is the ONLY website with the authentic restaurant style spinach & artichoke dip… NOT the “fake” kind made with by mixing mayonnaise and cream cheese. DELICIOUS, can’t wait to make it for my next party.. thank you!!!

  6. Amber Hamel says

    Made this recipe for my Bunco party last night… all the ladies loved it! So tasty, thank you for sharing!! I’m going to try the chili recipe tonight for my husband 🙂

  7. Rebecca Webb says

    Hi , I can’t wait to try this. Do you have a vegetarian alternative? Thanks Becci

  8. Cannot wait to try this, awesome step by step pictures, you are very talented.
    buffalo chicken dip recent posted..Buffalo Chicken Dip Recipe – Excellent for Tailgating and Parties

  9. phil-joyce says

    Where can I find the frozen baby spinach?

Speak Your Mind

*

Rate this recipe:  

CommentLuv badge