I’m really enjoying sharing this new series, Cooking Through Stacy’s Stash, with you guys. It lets me look through all my cookbooks and pretend like it’s work. “Well gosh – I guess I’m just going to have to spend part of the day reading my cookbooks…again. Sigh. This is such a hard job. Please pass the chocolate.”
But reading cookbooks seriously makes me hungry. Same goes with Pinterest. When I look at Pinterest, I have to have a snack. Does that happen to anyone else? Like right now I’m just thinking about Pinterest and I need a snack. Blast that Pinterest.
But anyway, I chose this recipe for spinach because I don’t have many side dish recipes on this website – so I decided to remedy that. Because really, what’s a hamburger steak without a side dish? I’ll tell you – lonely and naked. And we just can’t have that, now can we? No one wants to be lonely and naked…and now I’ll shut up before I say something dumb.
This week we’re cooking Taste of Home…again. And no, this isn’t the last you’ve seen of that. Those Berry Cream Muffins were kickin’. This “cookbook” is more like a really thick magazine. But it has lots of pretty pictures and I like that.
Meet 5 Ingredient Recipes. I’ll admit – this cookbook isn’t very whole foods friendly…it calls for stuff like Velveeta (what IS that stuff anyway?), cream-of something-something, and cake mix. Soooo, this book takes lots of creativity to make it a whole foods companion.
One homeschool mom said she taught her children to cook whole foods by letting them learn to convert conventional recipes. GENIUS! So, this would be an excellent cookbook for that. 🙂
I love cooked spinach. I don’t care for raw spinach – I feel like I’m eating grass. I know, I know. I’m WEIRD. That’s okay.
Creamed spinach is sooooo good and that’s basically what this recipe was, under a different name. But it called for a TON of cheese, cream of potato soup, and more cheese…and well, if I’m going to eat a vegetable, I at least want there to be SOME VEGETABLE in there. This was mostly just Cheese Supreme. And while that sounds utterly delicious, we do need our vegetables.
I decreased the amount of cheese and used cheddar instead of Monterey Jack…I keep cheddar on hand, but not Monterey Jack. I also took out the cream of potato soup and used heavy cream instead. Heavy cream and I, we’re tight yo.
You need to thaw and drain the spinach really well for this recipe. When I need to do that, I just let my spinach thaw in my colander over a bowl. Then when it gets totally thawed, I press down on it to get more water out. Works well.
Verdict? This stuff was A-W-E-S-O-M-E!!!! I wanted to eat the whole bowl…and I did lick the bowl…and the spoon. I think Barry was watching, but I don’t care. Marriage makes you hang loose with those types of things.
Spinach Supreme
Original recipe from Taste of Home
- 2, 10 ounce packages chopped spinach, thawed and drained WELL
- 1 cup shredded cheese (I like cheddar)
- ½ cup heavy cream
- ½ cup sour cream
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon pepper
- ¼ cup Parmesan cheese
- Combine all ingredients, except Parmesan.
- Spread evenly into a greased baking dish (I used a 2L).
- Top with Parmesan cheese.
- Bake at 350 degrees for 20-25 minutes or until bubbly.
Yield – 4 servings
Cheryl says
Thank you for this, Stacy. I love spinach, and this sounds wonderful. I think I could even get my spinach-hating granddaughter to try it! I’ll tell her it’s broccoli…her favorite vegetable. Yeah, that’s it…flattened broccoli casserole.
Stacy says
You’re a genius.
Melissa says
I learned a neat trick watching Rachael Ray. To drain spinach put it in a kitchen towel and twist the towel, all the liquid squishes out. Very easy!
Stacy says
Well, how awesome! Wonder if it permanently dyes the towel green? And if so, I guess I would just have a designated spinach towel. 🙂
Karen says
I also get hungry when reading cookbooks, which is especially problematic during those rare moments when I have time to do some bedtime “reading” — usually with a cookbook. Then I have to go to sleep hungry.
Stacy says
I have a snack before bed – doesn’t everyone?!
Juliet says
I wanted to try this with fresh spinach. Any idea what the conversion is for fresh vs. frozen?
Stacy says
No, I’ve never tried it that way…if I want to make something like this, I always use frozen. I have read that one 10 ounce frozen package of spinach is the same amount as one pound of fresh, trimmed and cooked spinach. 🙂
Kim says
Could U use fresh spinach & how much to the two 10oz packages?
Sounds wonderful, but I have fresh on hand.
Stacy says
I have never tried it, so I don’t know how well it works. But I have read that 1 10 ounce package of frozen spinach is the same amount as one pound of fresh, trimmed and cooked spinach. 🙂
Chris says
I try to use fresh spinach (big tub from Costco). Two of us at home now, I find it hard to get through before it liquefies. How would you convert that?
Stacy says
I’ve not tried it that way – so proceed with caution. 🙂 It might not turn out the same. I read that 1 10 ounce package of frozen spinach is the same amount as one pound of fresh, trimmed and cooked spinach.
Kate says
This sounds really good, Stacy. I’ve been trying to eat more veggies “straight up” but the dairy in this recipe has me drooling for a large serving right now!
Stacy says
I know, right? I’m drooling too – I shouldn’t have sent the last to work with Barry. lol
Sandy says
This sounds good! I’m going to try it and add onions. Yummy!!!
Stacy says
Mmmmmm, onions!
Tara H says
Yum! I know my husband would love this! I’ll make some soon!
We had Chili Pork Wraps last night…so yummy!! Everyone liked them, even all the boys…so definitely a keeper! 🙂 Thanks!
Stacy says
🙂 You’re welcome! Thanks for letting me know!
Cynthia says
Wow that sounds good! I LOVE spinach too – thanks for a new recipe. I’m going to try this soon! I’m pinning this haha (Pinterest makes me hungry too!)
Stacy says
I think Pinterest makes people gain weight. lol