Homemade Bagel Chips with Creamy Garlic & Vegetable Spread

Recipe courtesy Emeril Lagasse

Ingredients

4 plain bagels

1/4 cup olive oil

2 cloves garlic, peeled and smashed

1/2 teaspoon Essence, recipe follows

Creamy Garlic and Vegetable Spread, recipe follows

Directions

Preheat the oven to 300 degrees F. Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper. With a sharp knife, very carefully slice the bagels one at a time as thinly as possible, for 8 to 10 thin slices per bagel. Spread in 1 layer on the prepared sheets.

Heat the oil in a small saucepan over medium heat. When oil starts to get warm, about 1 minute, remove from the heat and add the garlic and Essence. Let sit until the garlic perfumes the oil, about 10 minutes. Remove the garlic from the oil.

With a pastry brush, lightly brush the oil on the bagel chips. Bake until golden brown. Turn and bake on the second side until just crisp, about 5 minutes. Remove from the oven and cool on wire racks.

To serve, arrange the bagel chips on a platter with the creamy garlic and vegetable spread.

Essence (Emeril's Creole Seasoning):

2 1/2 tablespoons paprika
2 tablespoons salt

2 tablespoons garlic powder

1 tablespoon black pepper
1 tablespoon onion powder
1 tablespoon cayenne pepper
1 tablespoon dried leaf oregano
1 tablespoon dried thyme
Combine all ingredients thoroughly and store in an airtight jar or container.
Yield: about 2/3 cup

Recipe from "New New Orleans Cooking", by Emeril Lagasse and Jessie Tirsch. Published by William and Morrow, 1993.

Creamy Garlic and Vegetable Spread:

1 (8-ounce) package cream cheese, softened

1/4 cup sour cream
1 1/2 teaspoons minced garlic
2 ounces sun-dried tomatoes, softened in hot water, drained and chopped
3 tablespoons chopped black olives
2 tablespoons chopped chives
1/2 teaspoon fresh lemon juice
Salt, to taste

In a bowl, cream together the cream cheese and sour cream. Add the remaining ingredients and mix well. Adjust the seasoning, to taste. Serve immediately, or cover and refrigerate until ready to serve. Bring to room temperature before serving. (The spread will keep for 3 days refrigerated.)
Yield: about 1 1/4 cups

Spinach and Artichoke Dip

Recipe courtesy Emeril Lagasse

Ingredients

2 (10-ounce) packages fresh spinach, well rinsed and stems trimmed

4 tablespoons unsalted butter

1 cup chopped yellow onions

1 tablespoon minced garlic

1 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper

1/4 teaspoon cayenne

1/4 cup all-purpose flour

1 cup milk

1 cup heavy cream

2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice

1 cup 1/2-inch cubes rindless Brie

1 cup grated Monterey Jack

1 (6 1/2-ounce) jar marinated artichoke hearts, drained and chopped

4 strips bacon, fried crisp, drained and chopped

1/4 cup grated Parmesan
Assorted chips for dipping (pita chips, tortilla chips, bagel chips)

Directions

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Lightly grease a 9-inch round chafing dish and set aside.
Bring a medium pot of water to a boil. A

dd the spinach in batches and cook until wilted, 2 to 3 minutes. Remove and refresh under cold running water. Squeeze to remove all excess water and chop. Set aside. In a medium pot, melt the butter over medium-high heat. Add the onions and cook, stirring, for 3 minutes. Add the garlic, salt, pepper, and cayenne, and cook, stirring, for 1 minute. Add the flour and cook, stirring constantly, to make a light roux, about 2 minutes. Add the milk and cream in a steady stream, and cook, stirring constantly, until thick and creamy, 2 to 3 minutes. Add the cooked spinach and lemon juice, and stir to incorporate. Add the cubed and grated cheeses, artichoke hearts, and bacon, and stir well. Remove from the heat and pour into the prepared dish. Top with the Parmesan and bake until bubbly, about 10 minutes. Remove from the oven and serve hot with chips.