This Spinach, Tomato & Roasted Garlic Flatbread is full of garlic-y flavor, layered with an Italian cream cheese spread and topped with crisp, fresh spinach and cherry tomatoes.
What would YOU make with this list of mystery ingredients?
OMGosh, can I just tell you how much I love Mystery Dish? If you don’t know what that is, I explained it in this post.
I remember when my dear friend Marcie @ Flavor The Moments invited me to join the Mystery Dish Gals. At the time, I was over-stressed, had no spare time and couldn’t even wrap my head around the concept – especially if it had deadlines! Let’s just say, the last thing I needed to do, was add something else to my already full plate.
Ever been there?
Two months later when I was more ‘prepared’ to accept a new challenge, I reached out to Marcie asking if I could join. I can’t even tell you how life changing that was! I have come to love Mystery Dish more than even I could have imagined.
There is something enticing, exciting and exhilarating about coming up with a unique recipe from ingredients someone else has pre-determined. The 1st month I tried Mystery Dish, I was a nervous wreck! The 2nd month, I have this challenge nailed – and I couldn’t possibly love it more!
So, let’s get to it. I’ll give you the list of ingredients we had to choose from, then I want you to post a comment on what YOU would have made. Are you ready for this? You need to choose at least 3!
“The December 2014 Mystery Dish List” + my choices
1) White Chocolate
2) Peppermint Bark
3) Muenster Cheese
4) Eggnog
5) Nutmeg
6) Canned Biscuits
7) Browned Butter
8) Cherry Tomatoes
9) Spinach
10) Roasted Garlic
11) Vanilla Ice Cream
12) Cream Cheese
You all know I *had* to pick the savory ingredients, right? 🙂 That’s how it works around here. Savory over sweet. every.single.time.
For this recipe, I used a Krusteaz Italian Herb Flatbread Mix. I’d never used one before, but it was part of the swag from IFBC. What a gem of a find! This flatbread smells amazing when baked and it is so easy to throw together. I am definitely a fan, and will be buying it again. It made making a flatbread appetizer so easy!
This flatbread recipe is rich in garlic (which we love) – so if you want a less garlic-y flavor, use only one head of roasted garlic. The flavors really shine with the fresh, crisp spinach and juicy, plump cherry tomatoes. You will love how soft, fresh and crisp it is, bursting with that great cherry tomato flavor!
Roasting your own garlic is really easy, and the roasted garlic is so savory, mild and sweet. It adds such a complex flavor to the dish.
To roast garlic, simply cut 1/2″ off of the top of the garlic to expose the cloves, then drizzle 1 tablespoon of extra virgin olive oil over the top. Wrap tightly in tinfoil (I like to make them look like flower blossoms!), then bake in a oven-safe dish (to prevent leaking or spillage) for 30 minutes at 400 degrees.
When done, remove them from the oven and let them cool (the cloves inside will be very hot to the touch!), so I highly recommend you letting it cool before extracting those sweet roasted cloves!
The other great thing about roasted garlic is that the cloves are simple to remove. Using the tip of a spoon, just slide the spoon down between the layers of papery skin, and the clove will pop right out!
See how all that EVOO just soaked into the garlic making it soft, supple and ready to mash? It’s ready to make your Spinach, Tomato & Roasted Garlic Flatbread sing!
When you get a chance, visit all the other lovely ladies that participated in this month’s Mystery Dish and see what delectable dishes they came up with!
Come see what everyone else made! Here’s the list:
Spinach & Tomato Quiche (The Well Floured Kitchen)
Roasted Garlic, Spinach & Tomato Whole Wheat Pizza (Yummy Healthy Easy)
Chocolate Peppermint Bark Cookies (I Dig Pinterest)
Spiced Biscotti with Eggnog Glaze (The Pajama Chef)
Brown Butter Eggnog Banana Bread with Cream Cheese Glaze (Flavor The Moments)
Creamy Chicken Pasta Skillet (Simply Gloria)
Brown Butter Nutmeg Melted Ice Cream Cupcakes (The Sweet {Tooth} Life)
White Chocolate Chip Gingerbread Blondies (Culinary Couture Blog)
Enjoy!
- 2 heads of garlic
- 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
- 1 package flatbread crust mix*
- 1 cup warm water
- ¼ cup vegetable oil
- 1 (8-ounce) package light cream cheese
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
- ⅛ cup chives, chopped
- 1 to ½ cups fresh spinach, stems removed, julienned
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, sliced
- ⅛ cup chives, chopped
- Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.
- Cut tops off of each head of garlic so that cloves are exposed (approximately ¼ - ½")
- Drizzle each head of garlic with 1 tablespoon of olive oil. Wrap garlic heads tightly in tinfoil. Place in oven and bake 30-40 minutes.**
- Remove from oven, let cool until cool enough to handle. Remove cloves with the tip of a spoon. Smash cloves into a paste using a fork. Set aside.
- Preheat oven to 475 degrees.
- Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper.
- Mix flatbread mix per package instructions and bake as directed.
- Remove from oven and set aside.
- Soften cream cheese to room temperature. Place in mixer and mix on medium speed until smooth. Add garlic paste, Italian Seasoning, salt and pepper. Gently fold in chives until thoroughly mixed.
- Spread cream cheese mixture evenly over flatbread. Top with spinach, then tomatoes and chopped chives.
- Serve!
**I baked my garlic cloves for 40 minutes.
this flatbread looks like my idea of heaven. After all the chocolate i have eaten this Christmas I would welcome this savoury dish very much x
I know, right Mariana? I definitely had my share of sweet treats this holiday season, and although I love it, it’s so nice to have something savory! Happy New Year!
Oh my gosh….this is TOTALLY my kinda bread right here! I’m swooning over all the components you included! Roasted garlic, tomatoes, spinach, cream cheese…..gahhh!! I need these carbs asap!
Sarah@WholeandHeavenlyOven recently posted…Gingerbread Chocolate Chip Muffins
Thanks Sarah – it was so tasty, and it’s a great appetizer for parties or watching football.
I’m so glad you decided to join up with Mystery Dish! The deadline always gets me too, but it is so fun! Love your flatbread, it looks amazing with all those layers of flavor. Roasted garlic is so incredible- I haven’t made it in a long time but you are inspiring me!
Sherri@The Well Floured Kitchen recently posted…Spinach and Tomato Quiche with Whole Wheat Crust
I have had a blast with Mystery Dish Sherri! It’s not so intimidating after all, and its so fun to get the ingredient list. BTW, we adore roasted garlic. It’s so easy to do, and we don’t do it often enough!
This is awesome!!! I had to skip this month because of the holidays but SO excited for next month!! This is gorgeous and inspired!
Thanks Lynn! I had some extra time on my hands this holiday season, so it was easy to power through. I look forward to seeing what you come up with next month. Happy new Year!
This Mystery dish list challenge sounds like fun! Love that you’ve created flat bread, with awesome flavors and very easy to make! Pinned!
It is sssooo much fun Mira. you should join us! It really challenges you and let’s your creative juices flow! Happy New Year, and thank you so much for the pin! xoxo
That looks oh so fabulous Kristi! Savory dishes are sounding pretty good after all the holiday goodies!
Melanie @ Carmel Moments recently posted…Best of Carmel Moments Top Recipes of 2014
Thank you Melanie – I totally agree with you. I don’t think I can eat one more sweet thing! 🙂 Happy New Year!
This flatbread looks wonderful, Kristi! A perfect New Years Eve snack!
Marissa | Pinch and Swirl recently posted…Oatmeal Sandwich Cookies with Vanilla Bean Buttercream
Thanks Marissa! It’s such a great appetizer for guests! BTW, I just sent you an email. 🙂
This looks fantastic Kristi! I like that flatbread mix, sounds interesting..I should try it! By the way this mystery dish challenge sounds like a lot of fun! Pinned.
Manali @ CookWithManali recently posted…Paneer Tikka Pizza
You should join us Manali! If you want to, I’ll be happy to get you included. It is a lot of fun, and challenging! 🙂 Thanks for the compliments on the appetizer! xoxo Thanks for the pin too!
I’m so glad you joined Mystery Dish, Kristi! You’re a natural. 🙂 I was so nervous the first time too, but after that it was just fun! I had no idea Kruteaz had a flatbread mix, and it sounds great. Your toppings sound divine with all that roasted garlic, and it was a great idea topping it with cream cheese! Love your dish, and happy new year my friend! 🙂
marcie recently posted…Brown Butter Eggnog Banana Bread with Cream Cheese Glaze
Thank you Marcie! Thank you so much for inviting me – who knew it could be so much fun! I love it, and glad I finally had time to participate. Happy New Year! xoxoxo
That flat bread simply looks amazing. And I’m not a huge bread eater at all, but I will certainly eat this. Wonderful post. I hope you had a great holiday
K / Pure & Complex recently posted…CHRISTMAS TIME IS HERE!
Thank you! We loved this flatbread, and I hope you do too! I hope you have a very Happy New Year! xoxo
I love the simplicity and ease of this recipe! The cream cheese spread sounds amazing, and roasted garlic and tomatoes? Yum! Pinning!
I think I would have used eggnog, nutmeg, and brown butter to make some sort of cake or cookie bar! I tend to think of sweets first. 🙂
Kristine @ Kristine’s Kitchen recently posted…Top Recipes of 2014
Thanks Kristine! It was super easy and so delicious! It can definitely feed a crowd! I tend to think of savory fan, because I’m not a huge sweets person – but I absolutely love to look at how pretty they are! 🙂 If you aren’t part of Mystery Dish – you totally should be!
I LOVE that you roasted your garlic here Kristi – I usually (to the dismay of those around me) eat whole roasted bulbs with cheese and crackers.. and wine. I’ve never made flatbread before.. don’t know why because I sure do enjoy eating it – so this is definitely a recipe I need to make!
Thalia @ butter and brioche recently posted…Salted Caramel Croquembouche Cake
Thanks Thalia! I love, love, love roasted garlic! And, I’m with you – I am all for eating whole roasted bulbs with cheese & crackers & wine! Sounds like the perfect appetizer to me. I hope you love the recipe! I hope you have a wonderful New Year Thalia! I love that we met! xoxo
You did a fantastic job, Kristi! I love that you went the savory route. The roasted garlic sounds amazing with the cream cheese and all those fresh toppings! The perfect appetizer for a NYE party too! 🙂
Thanks Kelly! I really love this group! They push me beyond my limits, yet I love it every time! Have a very Happy New Years!
This flatbread looks delicious! I love the Italian herb cream cheese you made. Happy New Year!
Amy (Savory Moments) recently posted…A look back at 2014
Thanks Amy! It’s such a great appy for the holidays! I hope you have a Happy New Year!
Roasted garlic…YUM! I can never get enough. This flatbread is my kind of dish – I wouldn’t be able to stop eating it!
Alyssa @ My Sequined Life recently posted…Favorite Recipes of 2014
Me too Alyssa! I’m a huge sucker for roasted garlic. On everything! Happy New Year!
I’m craving lot’s of savoury foods at the moment, especially bread, so this would be amazing to eat right now!
Aimee / Wallflower Girl recently posted…Chocolate Candy Cane Cupcakes
Thanks Aimee! I crave savory foods ALL the time 🙂 so I know what you mean! I think you’d love this flatbread! Happy 2015!
Mmmm roasted garlic! You are such a savory girl! And that is why we make such a perfect pair…you bring the savory; I bring the sweet! And somewhere in there we find some wine 🙂 Love you girl!!! Have a wonderful new year!
Lindsey @ American Heritage Cooking recently posted…Healthy Beef Stroganoff : A familiar favorite, lightened up!
Happy New Year Lindsey! I cannot wait to see what you come up with this year! I always love your posts so much – I rarely make sweets, so it’s like a vacation for me to see all the gorgeous things you are making, and I know they taste amazing too!
Oh this looks heavenly! This is a must try when I have a day off.
Jessica @ Jessica in the Kitchen recently posted…Quinoa and Black Bean Burrito Bowl
Thanks Jessica! Definitely try it – you’ll love it!
Absolutely love what you made Kristi! Looks so fresh and delicious! I think I might have picked the same ingredients, though I may have swapped the cream cheese of the Muenster. Looks like a ton of fun!
allie @ Through Her Looking Glass recently posted…Easy Cashew Basil Pesto
OMGosh, your version sounds incredible Allie. I’m going to check out your recipe now. 🙂