If you’re a Ro*tel lover, then this is your dish. (In case you aren’t familiar, it’s a blend of diced tomatoes with green chiles, often used to make a mean chili con queso.) We love how Tanya adds spinach to her version of this popular Southern dip, so it makes us feel healthy and good even though it’s still a “comfort” food. We’re typically starving upon arrival, and a great spicy spinach dip with a bowl of tortilla chips is a good way to take the edge off. Throw your luggage down and dig in!

　　

Ingredients

serves 4 to 6

　　2 tablespoons butter

　　1 small onion, chopped

　　2 cloves garlic, chopped

　　2 tablespoons all-purpose flour

　　1 cup heavy cream

　　Two 10-ounce boxes frozen chopped spinach, thawed and drained

　　One 10-ounce can diced tomatoes with green chilies, preferably Ro*tel

　　1 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese

　　Kosher salt

　　

Step 1

Melt the butter in a medium saucepan set over medium heat. Once it foams, toss in the onion and garlic, and sauté until softened, about 3 minutes. Sprinkle in the flour, and cook, stirring, until it becomes a light-blond color. Slowly stir in the heavy cream, and bring the sauce to a simmer; cook until it starts to thicken, about 5 minutes. Stir in the spinach, Ro*tel, and cheese, and cook until the cheese is melted. Season to taste with salt.

　　

Step 2

Pour the dip into a serving bowl and serve warm with tortilla chips.

　　Reprinted with permission from The Neelys' Celebration Cookbook by Pat and Gina Nelly. Copyright © 2011 by Pat and Gina Nelly with Anna Volkwein. Excerpted by permission of Knopf, a division of Random House, Inc. All rights reserved.Pat and Gina Neely are restaurateurs, best-selling authors, popular speakers, and hosts of the Food Network hit series Down Home with the Neelys. They recently opened their first New York City restaurant, Neely's Barbecue Parlor. They live with their daughters in Memphis, where they enjoy cooking at home with family and friends.Ann Volkwein is a best-selling food and lifestyle author based in New York City and Austin, Texas. Her previous books include: The Arthur Avenue Cookbook, Chinatown New York, Mixt Greens (with Andrew Swallow), and, with Guy Fieri: Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives; More Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives; and Guy Fieri Food.