Healthy Kale Dip with Cream Cheese and Smoky Onion
This kale dip with cream cheese and parmesan stands out as a creamy and nutritious base that can easily steal focus from a chip. I soften my kale into cream cheese, parmesan, and caramelized onion for a warm and savory appetizer that I have ready and on the table in just 25 minutes.
Servings: 32 servings
Calories: 37kcal
Ingredients
- 1 cup finely chopped onion
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 10 oz bag of baby kale, chopped
- 8 oz lowfat cream cheese
- ¼ cup Organic Chipotle Mayonnaise
- ⅓ cup grated Asiago or Parmesan cheese divided
Instructions
- Spray large nonstick skillet with olive oil cooking spray and heat over medium-high heat. Add onion and garlic and cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until onion begins to soften and brown, about 5 minutes.
- Stir in kale and cook, stirring occasionally, until wilted, about 2 minutes.
- Stir in cream cheese, Chipotle Mayonnaise, 4 tbsp Asiago/Parmesan cheese and cook over low heat, stirring, until well blended.
- Spray 1-quart baking dish with olive oil cooking spray, then spoon onion and kale mixture into dish. Sprinkle with remaining Asiago/Parmesan.
- Broil dip until cheese browns and mixture is bubbling, about 3 minutes. Let stand 5 minutes before serving. Serve with cut up vegetables, sliced whole grain baguette and/or whole grain tortilla chips.
Notes
- My #1 Secret Tip for this kale dip with cream cheese and parmesan recipe is to cook the onions slowly until they develop a lightly golden color. This is how I build a natural sweetness that balances the richness of the cheese. If I have enough time, I cook the onions low and slow until they are properly caramelized.
- Chop finely: I chop my kale and onions finely, so the pieces blend into the dip seamlessly. Some texture is fine, but I do not want to detract from the creamy base.
- Melt over a low heat: Keep the heat low when adding the cheese to prevent separation.
- Watch the broil: I watch my dip closely as it broils, as some ovens may brown the top very quickly.
- Rest before serving: Giving the dip a chance to rest helps the dip thicken up slightly before serving.
- Dry leaves: I always dry my kale leaves after washing them to avoid adding excess moisture to the dip.
Nutrition
Serving: 2tablespoons | Calories: 37kcal | Carbohydrates: 1.1g | Protein: 1.4g | Fat: 3g | Saturated Fat: 1.2g | Sodium: 54mg | Fiber: 0.2g | Sugar: 0.1g