Feta - Bacon - Spinach Dip

Feta - Bacon - Spinach Dip
Ingredients
-
4
Bacon Slices, cooked and crumbled (reserve, and set aside, some of the drippings)
-
1
Tbsp
Minced Garlic
-
1/2
Pkg (6 oz)
Baby Spinach
-
1/2
Pkg (8 oz)
Whipped Cream Cheese
-
4
oz
Feta Cheese Crumbles
-
1/3
Cup
Mayonnaise
-
1
tsp
Thyme
-
Black Pepper, to taste
-
Red Pepper Flakes, to taste
-
1/3
Cup
Breadcrumbs (plain, seasoned, or Panko, as preferred)
-
1
Baguette Loaf, cut into 1" thick slices
Directions
Pre-heat oven to 400 degrees; spray an 8" X 8" casserole dish with a cooking spray.
Using 2 Tbsp of Bacon drippings, lightly sauté the Garlic in a large non-stick skillet over Medium heat (only about a minute); add the Spinach, and stir gently, but continuously, until the Spinach has wilted; remove from heat, and let cool (after cooling, use paper towels to blot excess moisture released whilst cooking), then chop into fine pieces, before transferring to the casserole dish.
To the casserole dish, add the crumbled Bacon, Cream Cheese, Feta Cheese Crumbles, Mayonnaise, Thyme, Black Pepper, and Red Pepper Flakes, stirring to mix well and spread evenly in the dish.
Mix together 2 Tbsp Bacon drippings and Breadcrumbs, and scatter over the top of the Spinach-Cheese mixture.
Bake for 20-25 minutes, until hot and bubbly, and nicely browned; serve with lightly toasted Baguette slices.
NOTES AND VARIATIONS: For those tailgating occasions, double up on the ingredients and serve with Pita Chips.
NOTES AND VARIATIONS: In lieu of crumbled Bacon, substitute 4-6 oz JOHNSONVILLE® Fresh Italian Ground Sausage (Hot, Sweet, or Mild, as preferred); save the drippings from cooking, and use as above.