Grilled Warm Artichoke Dip with Parmesan Crust

Here's proving you can use your grill for more than burgers and brats!! With this smoked version of this traditional appetizer, you will need apple wood chips and an 8" cast iron skillet.

1 (14 oz.) can whole artichoke hearts packed in water, drained, rinsed, and patted dry
3/4 cup mayo.
6 oz. cream cheese, softened
4 oz. mozzarella cheese, grated
1 (4 oz.) can mild chopped green chiles
1/4 cup sour cream or plain Greek yogurt*
2 t. minced garlic
1 t. mustard powder
1/8*-1/4 hot pepper sauce (Tabasco*)
1/4 t. freshl ground black pepper
Unsalted Kerrygold* butter
1&1/2 oz. Parmigiano-Reggiano, finely grated
Grilled baguette sliced or crisp flat bread

Soak the wood chips in water for a least 30 mins. Prepare grill for direct and indirect cooking over med.-high heat (400-450). Drain and add the wood chips to the charcoal or to the smoker box of a gas grill, following manufacturer's instructions, and close the lid. When smoke appears, grill the artichoke hearts over direct med.-high heat, with the lid closed, until warmed through, 3-5 mins, turning once. Remove from the grill and roughly chop. Combine the mayo, cream cheese, mozz., chiles, sour cream, garlic, mustard powder, hot sauce, and pepper. Using a wooden spoon, smash the cream cheese against the inside of the bowl into a paste, and then stir the mixture until smooth. Stir in the artichoke hearts. Lightly grease the inside of an 8" cast-iron skillet with butter. Transfer the artichoke mixture to the prepared skillet, and then distribute the Parmiagiano-Reggiano evenly over the top. Cook over indirect med.-high heat, with the lid close, until browned and bubbling on the surface, 20-25 mins. Cool for 10 mins. before serving with grilled baguette slices or crisp flat bread.

Editor's note: Sorry it has been so long since I posted!! In Minnesota for a few days, then back to find out Kevin McKibben has been seriously injured in a roll-over. He was a bass player in our Worship Team Band at Rose Hill Presbyterian in Kirkland, WA

We must keep our chins up!!!

Love,

Machete Milletti