Italian Spinach Braid Recipes

SAUSAGE, MUSHROOM & SPINACH PIZZA BRAID

Steps:

• Heat oven to 375°F. Spray large cookie sheet with cooking spray, or line with cooking parchment paper.
• In 10-inch nonstick skillet, cook Italian sausage 6 to 8 minutes over medium heat, until no longer pink; drain. Stir in mushrooms; cook 4 to 6 minutes, stirring occasionally, until mushrooms are lightly browned and tender. Stir in spinach leaves; cook until just starting to wilt. Remove from heat; stir in pizza sauce.
• Unroll dough on cookie sheet to 13x8-inch rectangle. Sprinkle 1/2 cup of the cheese in 3 1/2-inch-wide strip lengthwise down center of dough all the way to ends; top cheese with sausage mixture. Sprinkle with remaining 1/2 cup cheese.
• Make cuts 1 inch apart on each side of rectangle just to edge of filling. Alternating from side to side, fold cut strips of dough at an angle halfway across filling, slightly overlapping ends.
• In small microwavable bowl, microwave butter uncovered on High 20 to 30 seconds or until melted; stir in Italian seasoning. Brush butter mixture on top of braided crescent dough.
• Bake 20 to 25 minutes or until deep golden brown. Let stand 5 minutes before serving. Serve with additional pizza sauce, if desired.

ITALIAN SAUSAGE BRAID

Steps:

• Spray counter lightly with non-stick cooking spray. Roll combined rolls into a 12x16-inch rectangle. Cover with plastic wrap and let rest 10-15 minutes. In a large skillet cook sausage completely. Drain well and place in a large bowl. Add spinach, cheeses, garlic, fennel seed, oregano and salt. Mix well. Remove wrap from dough. Place sausage mixture lengthwise in a 4-inch strip down center of dough. Make cuts 1 1/2-inches apart on long sides of dough to within 1/2-inch of filling. Begin braid by folding top and bottom strips toward filling. Then braid strips left over right. Finish by pulling last strip over and tucking under braid. Lift braid with both hands and place on a large sprayed baking sheet. Brush with egg white and sprinkle with additional fennel seed, if desired. Bake at 350°F 25-30 minutes.

SAUSAGE, SPINACH & CHEESE CRESCENT BRAID - LOW FAT

Steps:

• Heat oven to 375°F
• In skillet, remove sausage from casings, mush down to little cubes, cook sausage over medium heat until entirely cooked, drain.
• In large bowl, mix spinach, parmesan cheese, onions and garlic.
• Add cooked sausage to mixture and stir.
• Unroll dough into 1 large rectangle on greased cooking dish.
• Spoon sausage mixture in 4-inch-wide strip lengthwise down center of rectangle.
• With scissors or sharp knife, make cuts 1 inch apart on long sides of dough rectangle to within 1/2 inch of sausage mixture. Fold strips of dough up over sausage mixture to meet in center; pinch to seal.
• Bake at 375°F for 18 to 24 minutes or until golden brown.
• Serve warm.

BEST EVER ITALIAN SPINACH

Steps:

• Thaw spinach and squeeze out excess water.
• Now, squeeze some more and set aside.
• In a saute skillet, over medium heat, add olive oil and garlic.
• Cook until garlic is golden brown (don't burn it!).
• Add spinach and seasonings, saute for 3-4 minutes.
• Break in eggs and continue to saute and stir until eggs are cooked and thoroughly mixed into the spinach.
• Drain any excess oil and transfer to serving platter.
• Sprinkle grated Paremesan cheese over the top, amount to your liking.