Ingredients #4: Creamed Spinach

Personally, the combination of creamed and spinach does not appeal to me. It was a surprise when I discovered just how obsessed I can be over my favorite protein (spinach) with my favorite dessert (cream cheese) in one savory dish.

Creamed spinach can be eaten own its own, albeit sounding a tad unappetizing, but it is also a great ingredient to spruce up vegetables, chicken, or skillets (chopped whatever in a skillet). My husband butterflies chicken breasts phenomenally well and stuffs them with creamed spinach, which I am more than happy to whip up at a moments notice. I think we have stuffed chicken about once a week, its that good. Even without filleting the breast, just topping the cooked chicken with creamed spinach is enough to devour it, no questions asked.

You will need:

• 1 tsp olive oil
• 2+ garlic cloves
• 1/2 diced onion [Optional]
• 2 cups fresh spinach, ripped or chopped (alt. 1 cup frozen, thawed)
• 4 oz (half a block) cream cheese, cut into cubes – room temp is best but not required
• Desired spices [Optional]

In a skillet, heat olive oil over medium-low, then add the garlic and onion. Saute over medium until slightly brown (caramelized). Add some of the spinach, and stir into the oil. Cover to induce steam. Cook down all the spinach then add any desired seasoning to taste. Cut in the cream cheese chunks and incorporate into the mixture. Cook on low to melt and stir to keep from sticking. Add more cream cheese if desired.

The measurements are vague because it is up to how you prefer creamed spinach. I prefer less cream cheese, usually only including 2 oz and even increasing the spinach. The garlic an onion I might amp up and add in a little salt, beau monde, celery salt, garlic salt (shh, do not tell my husband I use garlic and garlic salt), and/or basil. Normal people probably include black or white pepper, but I avoid both like the plague. I have also seen creamed spinach with diced red peppers, which I would recommend adding in with the onion.

Another quick and tasty way to fancify the dinner table.

Take-Home Tips: Refrigerate leftovers in a microwave safe container to reheat before serving.