Spinach and Bacon Mac n Cheese

compliments of kraft foods

Spinach-Bacon Macaroni & Cheese
Prep Time: 20 min Total Time: 40 min Makes: 6 servings

Ingredients needed :
3 cups medium shell macaroni, uncooked
1 pkg. (6 oz. ) fresh baby spinach leaves
4 slices OSCAR MAYER Bacon, chopped
2 Tbsp. flour
2 cups milk
1 pkg. KRAFT 2% Milk Shredded Cheddar Cheese
1/4 cup KRAFT Grated Parmesan Cheese

Procedure:
HEAT oven to 350°F.
COOK macaroni as directed on pkg., adding spinach for
the last min. Cook bacon in large saucepan. Remove
bacon; save drippings in pan.
ADD flour to drippings; cook and stir until bubbly. Gradually
stir in milk. Bring to boil, stirring constantly; cook and
stir 3 to 5 min. or until thickened.
STIR in 1 cup Cheddar and Parmesan; cook and stir until
melted. Add bacon and macaroni mixture; mix well.
SPOON into 1-1/2-qt. casserole; top with remaining
Cheddar. Bake 20 min.

Speedy Creamy Spinach

Speedy Creamy Spinach
Ingredients

Makes 6 (1/2-cup) servings
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 7 minutes

2 packages (10 ounces each) frozen chopped spinach, thawed and squeezed dry
4 ounces regular or reduced fat cream cheese, cut into small pieces
1/2 teaspoon Garlic Salt
1/4 teaspoon Onion Powder
1/8 - 1/4 teaspoon Ground Nutmeg
recommend: McCormick® seasonings!
2 tablespoons butter

Procedure
1. Thaw the spinach and squeeze dry, reserving the liquid. Add enough water to the liquid to equal 3/4 cup liquid total. 2. Place a 12-inch skillet over medium heat until hot, add cream cheese, spinach liquid, garlic salt, onion powder, and nutmeg. Whisk until melted and completely smooth, about 2 minutes. Add spinach and stir until well-blended. Cook 3 minutes or until thoroughly heated, stirring occasionally.
3. Add butter and cook 1 minute longer or until butter is completely melted.

A Taste for Health Tip: Use reduced fat cream cheese for a reduction of 18 calories and 2 grams fat per serving.

Calories: 118 Sodium: 383 mg Fat: 10 g Carbohydrates: 3 g Cholesterol: 30 mg Fiber: 2 g Protein: 4 g

Spinach "pudding"

Metric/Imperial
2 packages frozen spinach, thawed
3 eggs, beaten
500 ml/ 2cups creamed cottage cheese
75 ml/ 1/3cup parmesan cheese, grated
50 ml/ 1/4cup swiss or havarti cheese, grated

Mix all ingredients together. Pour into greased casserole dish. Sprinkle additional grated parmesan cheese on top if desired. Bake in preheated 350 F (180 C) oven for 30 to 45 minutes or until set.
Serves 6

Date night - dinner for two- steaks, spinach, pudding

Date Night Dinner for Two

Menu;
Steaks with Mushrooms
Spinach Rice
Maple Syrup Pudding
Any Red Wine, even one with spice will go great with this dinner.
Consider a Cabernet, Red Zinfandel, or even a Boreaux.
Steaks with Mushrooms

2 boneless beef sirloin steaks{5 oz each}
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp pepper
2 tbsp butter
1 cup fresh mushrooms, sliced

Spinach Rice

1/2 cup chopped onion
2 tbsp olive oil
2 cups baby torn spinach
3/4 cup water
1 tbsp dried parsley flakes
1/2 cup uncooked instant rice
1/4-1/2 tsp salt
1/8 tsp pepper

Maple Syrup Pudding

1 3/4 cups milk
1 pkg cook & serve vanilla pudding mix
1/4 cup maple syrup
whipped topping{optional}

Procedure
Rub both sides of steaks with salt & pepper. In alarge skillet, cook steaks in butter until meat reaches desired doneness.{ for medium-rare= thermometer should read, 145~f., for medium= 160~f, for well done= 170~f.}
Remove & keep warm. In the same skillet, saute' mushrooms until tender. Serve with steaks.
In a suacepan, saute' onion in oil till tender. Add the spinach, water & parsley. Bring to a boil. Stir in the rice, salt & pepper. Cover & remove from heat; let stand 7-10 minutes or till rice is tender & liquid is absorbed.
In a microwave safe bowl, whisk the milk, pudding mix & syrup until just combined. Cover & microwave on high 5 minutes or until the mixture come to a full boil, stirring every 2 minutes. Pour into dessert dishes; cool slightly. garnish with whipped topping if desired. Refridgerate leftovers.
Serves 2.

Hot Spinach Dip with Cheesy Chips

Hot Spinach Dip with Cheesy Chips


1 package (9 oz) frozen spinach soufflé (Stouffer's makes it) prepared according to package directions *
1 package ( 3 oz) cream cheese, softened
1/2 cup plus 1 table spoon ( about 2 1/2 oz) grated Parmesan cheese - divided
1/4 cup mayonnaise
2 tablespoons chopped green onion
tortilla chips

Topping: diced tomatoes, chopped green onions, shredded Monterey jack cheese

Preheat oven to 350 degrees

combine spinach soufflé , cream cheese, 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, mayonnaise, and 2 tbsp Green onion in medium bowl. transfer to a small baking dish, sprinkle with 1 tbsp Parmesan cheese. Place baking dish in center of baking sheet or oven proof platter.

arrange tortilla chips around dip. sprinkle chips with tomatoes, chopped green onions and Monterey jack cheese...
bake for 20-25 minutes or until dip is hot and Monterey jack cheese is melted.

serves 6

My NOTES: I usually double the recipe- and I don't put the chips in the oven, I put some cheese on top of the dip and pop it in the oven until the cheese is bubbly- then ,when ready to serve- I garnish with the tomatoes and sprinkle some more montery jack on top and serve.