A Classic, Simple, Crowd-pleasing Party Dip: Pumpernickel Bread and Spinach Dip (Monkey’s Brains?)

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by Robin

I love this dip!  I love to make it.  I love to look at it.  I love to eat it.  And, man, do I love to name it: Monkey’s Brains!  (It sounds so inappropriate to serve to company, and inappropriate humour is my favourite and my best.)

I suppose one could call it by its more boring alias: Classic Pumpernickel Bread and Spinach Dip. But why would one do that when it has a super fun name that calls to mind Indiana Jones.  (Hey, we named the dog Indiana – so we’re super fans.  Also, in that statement is a joke only other super fans will know and geek out to too.)

Seriously though, does anyone else call this dip Monkey’s Brains? I have this idea it was an off-hand joke played on little girl Robin that altered the course of my life.

Besides the goofy name, why I love this recipe:

• Um, hello?! It’s in a bowl made of bread!  That you eat!  Cool.
• It has some veggies in it – spinach and water chestnuts specifically.
• I can use lower fat sour cream and save some fat and calories.  (It’s got great flavour and no one will notice this healthier swap.)
• It’s super-duper easy – but still looks like you tried a bit.
• It tastes great!

  The recipe:

  Pumpernickel Bread and Spinach Dip (Monkey’s Brains)  

Ingredients:  

• 1 package (300 g) frozen, chopped spinach – thawed and squeezed dry
• 1 container (500 mL) Sour Cream
• 1 package Vegetable Dry Soup Mix
• 1 can (8 oz) water chestnuts, drained and chopped
• 1 large round pumpernickel bread loaf

Pumpernickel Bread and Spinach Dip Steps:

  1) Thaw and drain the frozen, chopped spinach.    

2) Combine the first 4 ingredients in a bowl.  Mix. (If you have time: cover and refrigerate for a couple of hours for the flavours to blend.   If not, it will still be delish!) 

3) Make the pumpernickel bread bowl.  With a bread knife hollow out the middle of the bread.  Add the chilled dip into the centre of the loaf.

      4) Slice the bread from the middle into cubes.  Serve alongside the dip with cut-up veggies or chips.

This isn’t our only monkey themed part food! Check our our easy recipe for Caramel Pull Apart Monkey Bread – an awesome sweet party treat.

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