Ham and Spinach Dip

Ingredients:

• 1½ cups ground 93% lean ham (about 1/2 pound)
• 1 10-ounce package frozen chopped spinach, thawed and drained
• 1 cup dry curd cottage cheese
• 1 tablespoon margarine
• 1 cup plain low-fat yogurt
• 1/2 cup light mayonnaise
• 2 green onions, chopped (include tops)
• 1 teaspoon “light” or “reduced-sodium” seasoning blend
• 1 loaf round rye bread or French bread

Directions:

1. Combine margarine and dry curd cottage cheese in blender.
2. Blend at a low speed until creamy.
3. Be patient, it will take a few minutes, but don’t try to hasten it by adding liquid.
4. In mixing bowl, combine ground ham, spinach, blended cottage cheese and margarine, yogurt, light mayonnaise, green onions and seasonings.
5. Refrigerate until ready to serve.
6. With a sharp knife, cut top 1/3 off round rye loaf or French bread.
7. Hollow out loaf, leaving a 1-inch thick shell.
8. Cut remaining bread into 1-inch cubes.
9. Store bread cubes and shell in plastic bags until ready to serve.
10. Just before serving, toast bread shell in 400 degree oven for 8 minutes (this prevents the dip from soaking into bread shell).
11. Place the ham and spinach mixture in the bread shell.
12. Serve with reserved bread cubes and vegetables.
13. Makes about 4½ cups dip.