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Posts Tagged ‘spinach’

Main Dishes,Vegetarian

December 6, 2010

Gnocchi with Arrabiata Sauce and Spinach
Posted by Chammer

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I found this recipe on Eating Well’s website, but couldn’t find Watercress and wanted to adapt the recipe a bit.  Here it is!

Ingredients:

  • 2 pounds Russet potatoes
  • 1 1/2 cups flour
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 large egg, lightly beaten
  • 2 ounces pancetta, chopped
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2-3 large tomatoes, chopped
  • 1/2 teaspoon sugar
  • 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper
  • 2 teaspoons red-wine vinegar
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1 bunch of spinach (4-5 cups), cleaned and stems removed
  • 1/4 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese

Directions:

Preheat oven to 400 degrees.

For the Gnocchi:  Prick potatoes all over with a fork.  Bake the potatoes in the oven for 45 minutes to 1 hour until they are fork tender.  Remove from oven and cool slightly.  Alternatively, cook potatoes in microwave until fork tender. Peel the potatoes. Grate potatoes on a box grater or push through a food mill.  DO NOT MASH (it breaks down the structure and releases the water from the potatoes, so the gnocchi do not turn out right).

Gently combine the potatoes with the lightly beaten egg and salt.  Gradually begin to add the flour, a quarter cup at a time, until the dough is not sticky.  Avoid over-mixing, again this will ruin the consistency of the gnocchi and they could come out chewy.  Put dough on lightly floured surface and need 3 to 4 times.  Divide dough into six parts, rolling each part into a rope.  Cut rope into desired gnocchi size (usually about 1/2-3/4 inch thickness).  Set aside.  You can add ridges to the gnocchi if you want, but I never do.

For the sauce:  Bring a large pot of water to boil.  Add salt to the boiling water.  Cook pancetta in a large nonstick skillet over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until it begins to brown, 4 to 5 minutes. Add garlic and cook until golden brown. Add tomatoes, sugar and crushed red pepper and cook, stirring, until the tomatoes are almost completely broken down, about 5 minutes. Stir in vinegar and salt. Remove from the heat.

Cook gnocchi in the boiling water until they float, 3 to 5 minutes. Place spinach in a colander and drain the gnocchi over the spinach.  This will wilt the spinach just enough for the pasta. Add the gnocchi and spinach to the sauce in the pan; toss to combine. Top with Parmesan.

Main Dishes,Vegetarian

February 3, 2010

Greek Croustade
Posted by Mama

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Greek Croustade

1 10 oz. pkg. frozen chopped spinach

1/4 C. onion

3 T. butter or margarine

3 T. flour

1/4 t. dried tarragon, crushed

1 C. milk

2 beaten eggs

1 C. cream-style cottage cheese

1/2 C. crumbled feta cheese

10 sheets frozen phyllo dough (17X12-inch rectangles), thawed

1/2 C. butter or margarine, melted

Cook spinach according to package directions; drain well, pressing out excess liquid. In saucepan cook onion in the 3 T. butter till tender. Stir in flour, tarragon, and 1/8 t. pepper. Add milk all at once. Cook and stir till mixture is thickened and bubbly. Stir a bit of the hot mixture into the eggs and keep adding until all mixed. Stir in cheeses and set aside.

Unroll the phyllo dough; cover with dampened towel (or work quickly!). Remove 1 sheet of dough; brush lightly with some of the 1/2 c. butter. Fold in thirds lengthwise; brush the top with butter. Place one end of the folded sheet in center of a 12 or 14-inch pizza pan extending it over side of pan. Repeat buttering and folding with the remaining phyllo dough and butter; arrange strips spoke-fashion evenly around pan. (The ends of each sheet will overlap in center and be about 3 inches apart at outer ends.) Spread spinach mixture in an 8-inch circle in center of pastry. Starting with the last phyllo leaf placed in the pan, lift end of leaf up and bring toward center of filling. Holding end with both hands, twist end several times; coil and tuck end under to form a rosette. Lay rosette over filling, leaving a 3-inch circle in center (filling should be visible). Repeat with remaining strips in the reverse order they were placed. Drizzle any remaining butter over all. Bake in 375 degree oven 35-40 minutes or until golden. Serve warm or cool. Cut into wedges to serve. Makes 8 side-dish servings.