Lunch Ladies Creamy Italian Spinach Recipes

LUNCH LADIES CREAMY ITALIAN SPINACH

Steps:

• With kitchen shears cut raw bacon into small pieces and fry until crispy but not burned, drain well on paper towels.
• Place spinach in a large corning ware type bowl that is micro-wave safe.
• Add bacon, sour cream, cheese and seasonings to the spinach stir well to combine.
• Heat covered in a microwave oven for 3 minutes. Remove from microwave and stir well. Heat for additional 2 minutes.
• OPTION: For a nicer presentation, after microwaving sprinkle parmesan cheese over top of the spinach and place in 350*F oven for about ten minutes or until cheese is melted and beginning to brown.

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.

SPINACI ALLA FIORENTINA (SPINACH FLORENTINE STYLE)

Steps:

• Make a balsamella by melting the butter in a heavy saucepan on low heat. When the butter reaches the frothing point add the flour. Mix well with a spoon and let cook until the color is a light brown -- don't over cook -- undercooking is preferable -- meanwhile heat the milk in a small pan -- when the milk is warm add a little at a time to the flour mixture -- the origional recipe calls for adding all the milk at once but I find I get less lumps if I add a little at a time whisking continuously -- your goal is a nice creamy sauce. Remove from heat an cover until needed.
• Make sure spinach is clean and cut out any tough stems. Chop coarsely.
• Place olive oil in a pan and warm on medium heat. Add the garlic and spinach. Toss and cook until wilted and the garlic is lightly browned.
• Toss the spinach with the balsamella. Add the cheese, nutmeg salt and pepper to taste.
• Butter the bottom and sides of a 13 1/2 X 8 3/4 inch baking dish.
• Pour the spinach mixture into the dish and bake in a preheated 375 F oven for about 25 minutes. The top should be a little brown and bubbling.