Tag Archives: spinach

Can’t Stop Spinach Artichoke Dip

Posted
Filed under Simple Beginnings

Most weekends around 4 o’clock this house is ready for an appetizer.  We love homemade dips.  This past weekend I tried a different version of spinach dip.  Easy and delicious.  All the seasonings and marinated artichokes dance together to create a perfect appetizer.  So worth sharing and creating again!  Enjoy!- Amanda

 photo-96

Can’t Stop Spinach Artichoke Dip

8 oz. cream cheese

1/3 cup sour cream

1/4 cup mayo

1 pkg. frozen, chopped spinach (thawed)

2 jars of marinated artichoke hearts, roughly chopped

1/2 t Garlic salt

1 T Chili powder (you may want to add more!)

1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese + 1/2 cup for topping

Make sure your spinach is throughly thawed.  Use paper towels to press out the excess water.  Warm cream cheese for about 2 minutes on 50% heat.  This will make it easy to mix your dip up.  Now mix all ingredients in a baking dish, and sprinkle on a bit more mozzarella.  Broil until the cheese is browned. Serve with crackers, celery, radishes.

Strawberry Spinach Salad

Posted
Filed under Main Dish, Salads

After a long, hot summer day, my family wants something cool and refreshing for dinner.    I believe in the summer you need to enjoy beautiful, seasonal fruits.  We will be eating lots of fruit salads (more to come).  This yummy salad is easy and leaves everyone feeling full but not heavy.  Serve as a side dish or add grilled chicken for the main entree.  Gotta love strawberries!- Amanda  

 Strawberry Spinach Salad

1 T poppy seeds

1 1/2 t minced onion

1/2 cup white sugar

1/4 t Worcestershire

1/4 t paprika

1/2 cup vegetable oil

1/4 cup red wine vinegar

1 bag (10 oz) spinach

1 pint (or more) strawberries, sliced thin

In blender, combine sugar, poppy seeds, onion, Worcestershire, paprika, oil, and vinegar.  Blend well.  If seems thick, add a few drops of water.

Remove stems of spinach (or not).  Arrange on plates, top with strawberries.  Drizzle the dressing over strawberries and serve.

To give a good punch of protein, add some grilled chicken.

Chicken and Spinach Shells

Posted
Filed under Main Dish

I was in a pasta mood.  I needed a meal that would cure my craving and be healthy.  This dish controls the amount of pasta you use and adds fabulous ingredients that don’t leave you with guilt.  It’s simple and healthy.  I whipped up these chicken and spinach shells without much thought.  It has a tasty hit and has been requested in the future.     Enjoy!- AF

Chicken and Spinach Shells

12 jumbo pasta shells

1 1/2 cup pasta sauce

2 large egg whites, gently beaten

1 1/2 cup part skim ricotta cheese

2 large boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cooked and diced

1 cup frozen spinach (chopped) thawed (drain all excess water)

2 t garlic powder

1 T oregano

1 T chopped basil

1 cup part-skim mozzarella cheese, shredded

1/3 cup grated parmesan cheese

Cook shells in boiling water according to the directions on box.
Rinse with cold water and set aside for later use.
Lightly spray a 9×13 pan with cooking spray and spread 1/2 cup of pasta sauce evenly over the bottom of the pan. Set aside.
Pasta shell filling: Stir together egg whites, ricotta, chicken, spinach, garlic powder, basil, and oregano. Stir in 1/2 cup of mozzarella cheese and parmesan cheese.
Fill each shell with mixture and place filled shells in the baking dish on top of the sauce. Spread remaining sauce on top. Sprinkle with remaining cheese and salt and pepper to taste.  Bake for 30 minutes at 350 degrees.