Artichoke Hot Dip - Pat Ricker

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     Hot Artichoke Dip has a long and varied history with me.  It's truly delicious and I love it, but it took years to develop that affinity.   This recipe is from my sis-in-law, Pat, and will make anyone an artichoke lover!
      I was in my late twenties, single, and looking forward to my teaching faculty's Christmas Party.  It was being held in a subdivision clubhouse in an unfamiliar area, filled with different Houston subdivisions.
     Of course I lost my way, winding around and around cul-de-sacs in several subdivisions - all with streets named after trees - Popular, Maple, Elm, Cypress.  Those names made me dizzy.  Finally I came upon a clubhouse with cars all around - this must be the place!  I went inside, was greeted warmly, and shown the food table where I could place my offering of tortilla chips (store bought).  Hey, I was young, poor, and single.
     I looked around, but saw no one familiar.  Hmmm, lots of spouses in attendance, I thought.  I began chatting up a few people and making my way to the food table, where I filled my plate with a large scoop of the artichoke dip and French bread.  It was so good and worked to ease my shyness while I was wondering where all the friends from work had hidden themselves.
     Ding, ding, ding - an unknown gentleman tapped his spoon on his glass for attention.  He began giving a thank-you speech to all the glass company employees for their success over the last fiscal quarter.  Uh oh - wrong party.
     I slinked my way out the door as quickly as possible, briefly wondering if I should reclaim my tortilla chips.  Back on the road (days before cell phones) I drove in circles once again, until I found the right clubhouse and party.
     By that time (all those circles around cul-de-sacs, nerves, embarrassment) my tummy was feeling quite ill.  I blamed it all on the artichoke dip instead of my poor sense of direction.  It took years for me to assign the blame to myself and enjoy a different recipe which my tummy and I both love!  
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Ingredients
​2 (16 oz cans) artichoke hearts
1 cup Parmesan cheese
1 tsp pepper
1 cup mayonnaise
1 tsp salt
1 heaping tsp dry mustard
Steps
  1. Drain artichokes and mash.
  2. Add all remaining ingredients and mix well.
  3. Pour into ungreased casserole.
  4. Cover top heavily with more Parmesan cheese.
  5. Bake uncovered at 350° for 30 minutes until brown and crusted.
Note:  Delicious served with pita chips as a hot dip.