By making this at home, you can enjoy this scrumptious and super healthy dip for under $10 assuming you have pantry basics. Serve with homemade pita bread and a small salad and you have a complete meal.

The artichokes in a can are less expensive but I prefer to buy the ones in a glass jar. Aluminum can leach into the food especially when the food is acidic. People always comment Coke tastes better in a glass bottle than the can. Maybe that is why? Coke is very acidic.

Directions

1) Drain 1 jar of artichoke hearts and place hearts into a cuisinart. Add 1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese, 3/4 cup olive oil, squeeze half a lemon into the bowl (about 2 tablespoons), 1/2 teaspoon sea or Celtic salt, and 1 clove of garlic, peeled. Pulse several times to mix.

2) Add 1 more jar of artichokes drained and pulse but do not purée. You want chunks of artichokes in this dip.

3) You can eat this as is or bake for a warm dip. If you want it warm, spoon into a ramekin or baking dish and sprinkle with parmesan cheese. Cook at 350 degrees until bubbly on the sides.

4) Serve with carrots, crackers, or pita triangles.

Why you want to eat this!

• Artichokes are one of those veggies you should eat every week and the kids will gobble this up and not know they are getting their greens. Artichokes help lower cholesterol, maintain healthy blood sugar levels, fight cancer, relieve hangovers, improve digestion, and are an excellent source of B vitamins, magnesium, and fiber.
• Lemons provide the vitamin C to combat the free radical skin damage you get playing in the sun. It seems like it will be a scorcher this summer.
• The olive oil and garlic provide the anti-oxidants and anti-inflammatory properties we all need. Olive oil is also great for your skin.
• Parsley freshens the breath, may neutralize carcinogens in the body, can act as a diuretic, and is an excellent source of vitamin K, C, and A.
• Parmesan gives you your calcium and works well with the magnesium in the artichokes.

Enjoy!