Creamy Herb & Mushroom Dip
This dip makes a great appetizer to share and can be adapted in many ways. We’ve added spinach & artichokes, sauteed veggies, red pepper flakes, sun dried tomatoes, lemon juice, black garlic, etc. Feel free to spice it up in whatever way best suits you and share at your next holiday gathering!
Ingredients:
1.5 oz. dried mixed mushrooms (such as our Forager’s Blend) OR 1/2 lb. - 3/4 lb. fresh mixed mushrooms depending on how mushroom-y you want it to be (the more mushroom varieties you have, the more flavor and texture will show up in your dip!)
12 oz. Cream cheese (1.5 packages - softened to room temp)
¼ cup sour cream or plain greek yogurt
⅛ cup mayonnaise
2 cloves garlic, minced
⅛ cup fresh herb blend (basil, parsley, dill, chives, thyme, etc.)
2 Tbsp. butter or olive oil
Salt & pepper to taste
Fresh parmesan (optional)
Preparation:
If using fresh mushrooms, begin at step #2. If using dried mushrooms, begin by placing in a bowl with 1 cup of warm water or broth and set aside for 15 minutes to rehydrate. Once rehydrated, strain and pat dry. (the mushroom water can be saved to use as a broth base if you’d like.)
Chop mushrooms very finely either by hand or using a food processor. We prefer the food processor route since the outcome is more fine & uniform, but either method will work!
Once chopped finely, transfer mushrooms to a large skillet. Add minced garlic, oil/butter, salt & pepper, and a sprinkle of your herb mixture. Sauté on medium low, stirring often, until the mushrooms are fully cooked and any remaining liquid has been cooked off. Feel free to add a little more oil as needed. Sometimes the mushrooms will suck up a fair amount of oil or liquid!
Remove from heat once fully cooked and cool slightly before combining in a large bowl with the remaining fresh herbs, softened cream cheese, mayo, and sour cream/yogurt. Stir with a spatula until everything is mixed well and no clumps of cream cheese remain. Top with fresh parmesan and an additional garnish of herbs.
Serve and enjoy! This dish can be kept warm in a crockpot and served with a topping of freshly grated parmesan & warm garlic crostinis or chilled and served cold with pita chips & fresh veggies. The versatility of this dish is what makes it most special - feel free to experiment, bring it to your next holiday party, and show us what you come up with!
Happy holidays from our family to yours!
