Introduction to A Valentine’s Day Appetizer

In this post, I will show you how to make a delicious Valentine’s Day Appetizer. You could also make this a quick Super Bowl appetizer this year by changing the cookie cutter from a heart to a football! 🏈 SCROLL to the very end to see the 🏈 empanadas!

Tonight I’m invited to an early Valentine’s Day party. I brought a heart-shaped ❤️ empanada filled with spinach and artichoke dip. I think it will be so fun and cute! Here’s how I made it:

Heart-Shaped Valentine’s Day Appetizer Steps:

Recipe for Spinach and Artichoke Empanadas (adapted from Jeff Mauro’s recipe)
Yields 20 empanadas

Ingredients:

-2 14-ounce packages of empanada shells (10 per pack, located in the freezer section), fully thawed! (this is important as to separate the shells without tearing them, they need to be fully thawed, soft, and pliable)

-1 8-ounce package of Philadelphia cream cheese, softened to room temperature

-1 10 10-ounce package of frozen chopped spinach, fully thawed and very well-drained (again plan and let the spinach thaw overnight in the fridge in a strainer over a bowl to catch the water)

-1/2 cup mayonnaise

-1/2 cup sour cream

-1 cup shredded Gruyere cheese

-1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese

-1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
-1 14-ounce can of chopped artichoke hearts, fully drained

Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper

1 large egg beaten with one tablespoon of water

1 heart-shaped ❤️cookie cutter

Steps to make the Valentine’s Day Appetizer:

1. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees.
2. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
3. Whisk together the cream cheese, mayonnaise, and sour cream in a large bowl until well combined.
4. Add in the spinach, artichokes, and three kinds of cheese. Combine well and season to taste with salt and pepper. Set aside.
5. Place one empanada shell on a dry cutting board.
6. Cover the remaining shells with a piece of plastic wrap.
7. Using a heart-shaped ❤️ cookie cutter, cut two hearts out of one shell.
8. Place about a tablespoon of the dip on one heart leaving a 1/4-inch border around the entire heart.
9. Gently stretch the second heart before placing it over the heart with the filling.
10. Now crimp the edges of the two combined hearts to seal them using the tines of a fork.
11. Repeat with the other 19 shells.
12. Place the filled hearts on the prepared pans and brush with the egg wash.
13. Bake at 375 degrees for 25 minutes until golden brown.
14. Serve warm.
15. Enjoy❤️!

This is the plate I’m planning to serve the empanadas on. It’s a great platter where you add the little heart ❤️ “mini” is one of many little “charms” that this designer uses to celebrate every occasion under the sun!

Aren’t these soooo cute❤️? They definitely taste as good as they look!

Happy Early Valentine’s Day❤️❤️❤️!

XO,

Dr. Julie

For a Super Bowl party, follow the instructions above, but instead of cutting out hearts, cut out footballs. Use the scraps to make the laces. They’re so fun even if your team doesn’t win!

Let me know below if you make these delicious appetizers. And let me know what other appetizers you love to make for either Valentine’s Day or the Superbowl! Thanks!

XO,

Dr. Julie

PS Here are some more posts for you to enjoy:

A Sweet Valentine’s Day Tablescape!

Happy Valentine’s Day Outfits

How to Wear White Jeans in Winter

Cute Casual Outfits for Valentine’s Day

Valentine’s Day