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My sons made these beautiful elevated herb boxes for me
on Mother’s day this year (with a little help from their dad)
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The herb boxes are made of cedar. So not only do the herbs smell delicious, the boxes do too! (they remind me of that smoky, intoxicating sauna smell…which reminds me of skiing… which reminds me of jacuzzis… which reminds me of saunas… the perfect circle of life).
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Doesn’t she perform innocent well? Just look at those chocolate brown eyes… they’ll melt your heart while she quietly goes about destroying your property (gone are my kiwi plants; raspberry bushes, tulips and I’m in the fight of my life for our precious lilac tree). Good thing I love the little stinker to pieces.
Lemon Thyme Artichoke Dip ~ a summer fresh delight
- 1 400 ml bottle whole artichokes (about 1 + 1/2 cups), drained and coarsely chopped
- 1 cup plain Greek yogurt
- 1/3 cup fresh grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 Tbsp pitted green olives, finely diced
- 1/2 tsp jalapeno pepper, finely diced
- 2 Tbsp fresh lemon thyme, chopped + more for garnish
- 2 Tbsp olive oil
- 1 Tbsp tarragon vinegar (substitute rice vinegar)
- 2 tsp fresh lemon juice
- 4 garlic cloves, chopped
- 1 tsp grainy Dijon mustard
- 1 tsp brown sugar
- sea salt & coarse black pepper to taste
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Notes:
This dip has got some good ol’ fashion zing to it.
If zing is not your thing, you may wish to tone down the raw garlic (the primary source of zing) and/or skip the jalapeno.
Why Garlic?
Those of us who love garlic don’t need any excuses to consume copious amounts of this allium, but just in case some of you are curious…
Research suggests that garlic may help lower cholesterol and high blood pressure as well as assist in helping prevent heart attacks by reducing the potential of blood clotting.
Raw garlic is also known for its antibacterial and antiviral properties.
The compound that is principally responsible for garlic’s disease-fighting ability (and characteristic smell) is allicin. Allicin is formed after garlic is crushed or chopped and is best left exposed to air for at least a few minutes prior to cooking or integrating in food to activate maximum health benefits.
Garlic smell in your fingers? Try rubbing a few drops of vanilla essence on your finger tips to tone down the stinking rose.
As for your breath? Easy solution: make sure your partner eats plenty of garlic too!
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Directions:
Place all ingredients in a blender and blend until desired consistency is achieved.
Keep dip stored in the fridge until you are ready to serve it. It will keep well in a sealed container in the fridge for up to 5 days.
You can enjoy it throughout the week – with vegetables, as a sandwich spread, on poultry, chicken or your burgers. It’s wonderfully versatile and flavourful.
Have fun with it.
That looks fantastic. I’ve never experimented with lemon thyme simply because I’ve haven’t seen any around and have a black thumb :( And your puppy is adorable! It’s amazing how innocent dogs can look when you just know they’re doing something “bad”.
It’s a pretty heavenly combination, isn’t it… I hope you’re having a great weekend Jeanette.
Thanks Missy ~ I hope you enjoy it if you give it a try :)
Hi Chuck! I’m thrilled to hear that… I hope you enjoy it and thank you so much for taking the time to stop by.
Kelly – this sounds like the perfect summer dip. I love lemon and thyme together.
I agree Amy :) Thank you for stopping by! xo
I love the herb boxes from your sons. What a great mothers day gift!
I used a jar of preserved whole artichokes (yes, globe is the most common kind) but you could equally use a jar of preserved artichoke hearts.
Just to check – you’re using globe artichokes, right? The ones with all the leaves around? And when you say “whole artichokes”… do you mean something other than the hearts? You can buy the whole heads here (but they’re a huge hassle to prepare) or you can jars of artichoke hearts, but yah- it’s the heart only, with only the tasty, delicious heart part and maybe a few delicate interior leaves. Just wanted to clarify – I think my wife would like this a lot… might try and make it for her on the weekend :)
I love garlic. I love this recipe! I’m totally pinning this one for later. Thanks!
What a perfect summer dip, I’m making this for my next BBQ.
Yay! I love it when a recipe resonates… thank you so much for stopping by and taking the time to let me know. It’s wonderful to see you here!
Thanks so much France! This is a yummy one full of nutrients… glad you enjoyed the recipe.
Hi Beth, thank you so much for dropping in and sharing your feedback. I’m really pleased you like the recipe (I’m a big fan of Greek yogurt), and I hope it works out for your dunk & dip ;-). Let me know if you give it a try!
Oh Eva, I wish I could be of assistance. I was confessing to Kristy earlier that I really don’t have a green thumb (I use my dog as an excuse but it’s all I can do to manage my herbs in the summer sunshine!) – if I come across any interesting information, I’ll certainly share it though. Cheers Eva.
Thanks so much for stopping by Beth Michelle ~ I do hope you enjoy it if you give it a try :)
Isn’t the shot hilarious? Total mug shot of a pooch ;-)
I’m glad you like your zing… I quite like my zing dings too! :)
It would be a great bring-along… super idea!
Aren’t they nice?! I was literally weeping with joy :)
Ah, apartment life, there is lots of romance to be found there.
Yeah, Right. Tell my plants! ;-)
Thank you so much for visiting Ravie Nomnoms!!
I love thyme, I put it in just about everything. Ditto that on the garlic. Which makes this dip practically perfect!
You can make anything healthy, I swear Kelly. A healthy artichoke dipped not clogged full of cheese, but yogurt full of probiotics! Love it.
I loves dips, like artichoke dip, but it’s usually made from mayo or sour cream. It’s much healthier with greek yogurt, and adds the flavor with the garlic and other spices! I’m having a chip & dip party soon, and I think this will have to be at the party!
This looks and sounds incredibly delicious, Kelly. I love artichokes (do you use the artichokes in oil?) And garlic, the more the merrier.
Your herb boxes look fantastic against the weathered grey of the fence. I am desperately trying to figure out a way to keep the herbs growing over the winter; we spend so much money on the grocery variety during the winter months, plus it never really tastes as good or as fresh as the stuff from my back deck. I don’t want to bring in the earth they are in now for fear of bugs and stuff, but I am looking around for a viable and attractive alternative, any suggestions?
This is such a perfect use of your lemon thyme! This sounds so delicious and perfect for summer.
Awww … what an adorable “stinker”. I’d melt with that look too! Great shot you got of her!
I’m all for the zing. I was just looking at Sissi’s zingy dip and am putting hers and this down on my party dips list. It’s gonna be a zingy one! I’d better get lots of ice ready! :D … and breath fresheners …
Ilove the herb boxes!!!! What a great mother’s day gift! This spread would be perfect for a summer pot luck!
This dip looks fantastic! Way better than the traditional artichoke dip you see. I can’t wait to move out of our apartment so I can start growing my own herbs!
Mmmmm! I’m totally into dips this summer. Last summer was salsa. This one is dips. Love this! And I don’t suppose the boys would want to build me herb boxes too? Swap your kids for mine for the day. Lol!
100% innocent looking!
They sure did do a great job…I was tearing up when they gave them to me in bed :)
I especially love that photo of our pooch because she looks like such a gangster in it (it’s the classic mug shot pose I find) – too funny – thanks Amy!
Thank you Angie – the herb boxes are well loved indeed :)
It’s a really nice between meals filler… very tasty and satisfying. Thanks Lynn –
It does have a rather delicious texture – so easy to scoop onto summer veggies!
Hello Gourmantine! Thank you so much for dropping in to say hello.
Thanks so much for your sweet words as always Mandy… :)
Thank you chocolate chip euro! :)
I’m smitten with the boxes too… thanks Ellie!
Thanks Yoza – I’m glad you enjoyed the recipe!
Looks lovely!!
Thanks KoKo! I hope you enjoy it if you give it a try :)
Heehee, thank you Eha! I appreciate you stopping by to say hello.
What a great idea you’ve given me about making my own tarragon vinegar… I first need to get my hands on tarragon but I should absolutely do it! It’s my favourite vinegar by a long shot and I’ve been buying it for years… great idea!
Hi Sally! Yes, there is a little disconnect between blogger and Disgus when it comes to importing from smartphones… I manually upload them but there is usually a 12 or so hour dealy. Thanks so much for droppig by again! I hope all is going well on your end – thinking of you and your big move!
The cedar boxes smell so delicious – I am constantly sniffing them :) – Sweet, innocent pooch – hahahaha!!!
Haha, the innocent look indeed! Cheers Lisa.
You know it! I think they count on their charm to win us over ;-)
haha! I certainly understand that everyone has a different garlic threshhold ;-) – thanks so much for stopping by Suzanne.
I agree, nothing better than a little herb garden; I find it delightful and inspiring! Thanks for dropping by Suzi.
I hadn’t noticed prior to your comment but you’re right, the yellow and green is rather mellow and cooling… ;-) I hope you enjoy the Greek yogurt if you give it a try Sissi – have a beautiful day :).
Kim… you have me smiling ear to ear with your kind words… thank you so much for making my week! xo
I love the olives too… it has that traditional French vinaigrette taste to it… zingy salad in a dip ;)
Haha, she is one fine actress ;-) Loving my beautiful herbs!!
What gorgeous herb planters! Your kids/hubby did a great job. I wish I had some! Also, that has to be the cutest doggy face I’ve ever seen :) I can understand why you just can’t stay mad at her…same with me and LC ;)
This dip sounds so delicious. I love how much garlic it has, and the mustard is a great addition!
Oh my goodness I so need to make this! I LOVE artichokes and everything else you’ve put in there, what a fabulous idea. Those herb boxes are SO cute, I want some in my garden!
Hi Kelly,
Your lemon thyme artichoke dip looks so fresh. :)
I don’t mind eat this every day. LOL.
Thank you for sharing. :)
You can submit your lemon thyme artichoke dip pics on http://www.foodporn.net It is a food (and drink of course) photography site where members can submit all food (and drink of course (again) LOL ) pictures that make readers hungry.
Well, you know it’s fun to make others hungry (and thirsty)! :D
What an elegant recipe for one who definitely loves a lot of zing :) ! Shall bookmark and try soonest. And looking at her eyes SO full of innocence and trust and love, how could you not be besotted by that ‘stinker’ of yours :) !
I’m soooo into this recipe Kelly! (And I LOVE GARLIC!). Sounds like a perfect summer dip recipe!
Your dog is beautiful…and certainly pulls off innocent very well ;-)
First of all, I am jealous of your herb boxes! What a great way to grow herbs. Mine are in the ground and the grasshoppers are making a hayday out of them. The ones in large pots are “a little protected”, so higher in your boxes, is perfect! Good for your son! There is not one thing I would change with this dip. Every ingredient is perfect. I can’t wait to make it and I have all of the ingredients to do so!!! Do you make your own tarragon vinegar?
Well, I thought I left a comment earlier today, but apparently my iPhone played a trick on me….
Just wanted to say I pretty much melted with the photo of your girl… obviously, a creature with those eyes is unable to destroy ANYTHING!
great recipe, I long for the day when I’ll be back reading my cookbooks, picking recipes, and enjoying my kitchen to the fullest! (gotta be patient…)
Kelly….this looks absolutely refreshing! A perfect dip for crunchy summer veggies. I LOVE your cedar herb boxes! I bet the scents coming from them are so soothing! And I can’t believe that sweet little dog would EVER do anything wrong! : )
I just love the picture of your dog, so innocent! That look reminds me of my 2 year old! LOL
I think I have all the ingredients to this dip and am eager to try it. Sounds wonderful! Oh, the extra protein is a bonus, usually dips are full of fat!
Our girl seems to enjoy eating dirt, mulch, grass…but her cuteness let’s her get away with it! Love your sweet doggie….and this marvelous artichoke dip! Such a beautiful presentation~
I love garlic and use it everywhere but I would probably reduce the amount in the dip as it is raw – for my stomach as much as for those around me. LOL.
I love the herb boxes … and your dog, bless his soul.
Kelly what a lovely post and fantastic recipe! What a special and thoughtful Mother’s Day gift.
:-) Mandy
I love your little garden boxes, they are so cute and how sweet of your sons and huuby to build them. It’s so wonderful to go out and get your own herbs. Nice dip and the more garlic the better, LOL.
This looks such a refreshing dip, perfect for summer! :)
Nothing says happiness like greet yoghurt and garlic my friend, this dip is stunning :D
Cheers
CCU
Kelly, I love your sense of humour! Yes, your dog does look completely innocent. I really had a good laugh reading this post.
The boxes are an excellent idea. If I had a garden I would make them too. Cedar wood and the beautiful smell of herbs…
The dip looks fabulous and these yellow and green cooling photos… The lemon thyme branch is such an elegant, delicate touch! You have just reminded me that I promised myself to finally start cooking fresh artichoke (I love it but am too lazy to fiddle with the fresh one and always end up with the canned version…). Maybe I will try this dip first with canned artichoke. And my first tube of Greek yogurt. (You have convinced me to try it!).
I love the texture of greek yogurt!!
this looks Fabulous!! I am on artichoke high these days need to try this…
Have a great week Kelly!
A delight, is right! I can go for that beautiful looking dip now… running late on lunch.
Nice flowers boxes Kelly! You truly got spoiled by the men in your life. As far as the little brown eyed girl, she can do no wrong :)
Thanks for the great recipe.
ps: great photos!
Lynn
I love these herb boxes too!
The dip looks extremely smooth and tasty.
“There is no such thing as a little garlic~!~~~” !!
Kelly, your blog is SO much more than beautifully created food, it’s overflowing with inspiration & life & lovely furry dogs. I absolutely adore those chocolate brown eyes–the innocence of that face!
And this dip (with all the gorgeous herbs is smashing)
YOU. ARE. SMASHING. xxxxx
this looks fabulous! i love the olives in it, and that you use greek yogurt so it’s not so heavy. adding to my list to try!
Beautiful Kelly and I love your dog, I think you must be telling stories about her. She doesn’t look like she has a naughty bone in her body! :) Love your dip too, it’s funny how these herbs talk to us, mine do the same thing!
And Sally turns into a melting pot of honey….
those are the eyes of a being unable to do ANY harm!
Loved the post…..