spinach

Turkey Italian Sausage & Gnocchi in Brown Butter Cream Sauce

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I first had gnocchi at a restaurant in Nashville named Adele’s.  Why had it taken me so long to try it?  I don’t know!  I love pasta and I love potatoes so what could be bad about potato-based pasta?!  I wish I could remember the name of the dish I ordered at Adele’s.  It was gnocchi with a sage browned butter and delicata squash and it was amazing.  Unfortunately, it’s a long trip from Oklahoma to Tennessee, so I figured I needed to create a gnocchi dish of my own at home.

I tried to make my recipe as healthy as possible without losing any of the rich, buttery flavor.  I think I pulled it off.  My family loves this dish.  My daughter likes to add crushed up croutons to the top, for some crunch, but I prefer it just like it is.  A hot bowl of steaming, soft pasta is the best kind of comfort food to me. ~Erin

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1.25 lbs. (5 links) Italian turkey sausage, casings removed

1 (17 oz.) package potato gnocchi

1 Tbsp. butter

1 c. Fat-free half & half

6 cups fresh baby spinach (chopped)

1-2 large clove garlic, minced

¼ c. water reserved from cooking the pasta

½ c. shredded parmesan

½ Tbsp. cornstarch

In a medium stock pot, bring water to a boil to prepare for cooking the gnocchi.

In a large deep-sided skillet, cook the turkey sausage, breaking it into crumbles, until brown; drain on a paper-towel lined plate.  Wipe out the oil left behind by the sausage.

Cook the gnocchi in salted water according to package directions (do not overcook).

Meanwhile, melt butter in the skillet and cook until it turns golden brown.

Add garlic and spinach.  Cook and stir until the spinach is wilted.

Add the cornstarch and stir.  Add the half & half, pasta water, and parmesan.  Simmer until thickened.

Transfer the cooked gnocchi to the skillet and return the Italian sausage to the pan.  Stir to coat.

Serve with extra shredded parmesan or crushed croutons.

WW Info:  12 points per cup on all plans (blue, green & purple).  Makes 6 cups.

Crock Pot Spinach & Artichoke Chicken

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Spring is finally here, which means we are reaching the season of the year when my husband and kids start hollering, “let’s go fishing!”  My husband is the type that will go fishing in a full snow-suit or rain gear.  He’s what you would call obsessed.  He reads fishing magazines and watches pro-fishing on TV.  Like I said… obsessed.  However, there are worse hobbies for a person to have, so I tolerate the fishing string remnants that gets caught in my vacuum cleaner beater bar.  I am more of a fair-weather fisherman… fisherwoman?… Let’s go with “angler.”  I like to fish but only when it’s sunny and warm.  I want no part of being on the lake in winter gear. 

Recently, on a particularly warm and sunny afternoon, we decided it would be a good day to do a little fishing.  Before we ventured out, I threw a supper in the Crock-Pot because I didn’t want to go straight to the kitchen after being out all day.  Oh man, I’m glad I did.  I wish I could say we arrived home with some fresh fish to fry, but let’s just say I was glad we planned to have chicken.  This Crock Pot Spinach & Artichoke Chicken smelled amazing after a day at the lake.  A few minutes to slice and toast some bread was basically all it took to have supper ready.  ~Erin

  • 1 lb. boneless, skinless chicken breasts
  • 1 (9 oz.) package frozen spinach, thawed
  • 1 (14 oz.) can quartered artichoke hearts, packed in water; drained
  • 1 T. minced garlic
  • 1 (8 oz) package fat-free cream cheese
  • ½ c. shredded parmesan
  • ½ c. low-moisture part-skim mozzarella
  • 1/3 c. fat-free half & half
  • Salt & pepper to taste
  • Sliced, toasted French bread, for serving

Place chicken in the bottom of a slow-cooker. 

Squeeze as much water as possible from the thawed spinach and add it to the slow-cooker along with the garlic and drained, quartered artichoke hearts.

Cook on high for 3-4 hours or low for 6-8.

Remove the chicken from the slow-cooker and shred; return it to the pot.

Add cream cheese, shredded parmesan, mozzarella, half & half, and salt & pepper; stir until melted and creamy.

Serve on toasted French bread slices (optional).

WW Freestyle Info:  This recipe makes approximately 8 half-cup servings.  Each serving is 2 SmartPoints. 

Spinach Artichoke Dip

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If you’ve been looking for the perfect spinach artichoke dip, look no further. This one is rich and creamy with the just right flavor ratios.  It’s the roasted garlic that really puts it over the top. Share with friends at your next gathering or just make a small batch to enjoy for dinner. If you have a crowd, just know that it will go quickly! ~Robin

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Ingredients:

  • 1 head of fresh garlic
  • 7 oz. frozen* or fresh** spinach (usually comes in a 10 oz. package but I just divide after I thaw it)
  • 1 14 oz. can of artichokes (in brine, not oil; my brand of choice is Reese) drained and chopped (I like bigger chunks but do what suits you)
  • 1 10 oz. container of alfredo sauce (I like Classico Roasted Garlic Alfredo)
  • 1 c. shredded mozzarella, plus a bit for topping
  • 1/3 c. grated parmesan, plus a bit for topping
  • 1 8 oz. package of cream cheese, softened
  • Tortilla chips, pita chips, or mini-toasts for serving

Instructions:

For frozen spinach, once thawed, wrap the spinach in a dark colored tea towel (to prevent staining) and squeeze the excess water out into the sink.  If using fresh, cook and drain liquid.

For fresh spinach, julienne first and set aside before you roast the garlic so the edges aren’t overly moist. You do not want your dip to have a green hue.

Preheat oven to 350°F.

Place garlic on a double layer of foil, drizzle with a little olive oil, and close tightly.

Bake about 20 minutes or until soft; remove from heat and open foil, being careful not to burn yourself on the hot oil or garlic.

Once it is cool enough to touch, peel garlic skin away and squeeze the garlic cloves directly into a medium sized bowl; then mash garlic with a fork.

In a medium glass bowl, soften cream cheese in the microwave, then combine with garlic using a fork.

To cream cheese mixture, add spinach, artichoke hearts, Alfredo sauce, and cheeses; then mix well.

Place in an 8” x 8” baking dish, then lightly sprinkle a bit more mozzarella and parmesan on top and bake for 30 minutes or until bubbly.

Broil for up to five minutes after baking if the top hasn’t yet caramelized.  Watch carefully during broiling to avoid burning.

Serve immediately with your favorite chip or mini-toast.

Just Peachy Honey-Lime Salad

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This light salad isn’t overly sweet for a hot summer evening. The almonds just add some protein and a bit of crunch — and with almonds and peaches being related, it only seems fitting to pair them here.  The peaches, blueberries, cucumber and red onion all blend really nicely with this super simple, sweet-tart honey-lime dressing.  A touch of feta would work well here too, but I don’t normally add it to the mixed salad; instead, I have it near for folks to choose whether they want to add it to their own serving (since feta seems to be a pretty love/hate sort of item).  I had blueberries on hand, but blackberries would be great too. Hope you enjoy trying all the possibilities with this easy peasy salad.

PS–I’ve tried several honey-lime dressings, but in this case, simplest is best. Can’t go wrong with fresh squeezed lime juice and honey!

~Robin

Ingredients:

  • 5 c. fresh spinach
  • 1 cucumber, seeded & chopped (about 1.5 cups)
  • 1.5 c. blueberries
  • ½ c. sliced almonds
  • 1.5-2 peaches,* sliced
  • ½ a red onion, sliced (I half the slices of the bigger pieces, just so not overly messy to eat)
  • ¼ c. lime juice (about 2 limes)
  • 2 T. honey

Instructions:

  1. Juice 3 limes, one of them into a different container.  Then slice peaches and carefully pour the juice from 1 lime over them to prevent browning.  Set aside.
  2. Combine spinach, cucumber, almonds, onion and blueberries.  Set aside.
  3. For dressing, mix ¼ c. lime juice and 2 T. honey. Whisk together well and pour over salad.
  4. Add blueberries and peaches to salad and very gently toss together, then serve.

WW Freestyle Info.:  Each 2 c. serving is only 4 points.

*I’ll be honest, I use 2 peaches but I always end up eating half of one as I make the salad.

Italian Tortellini Salad

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I invented this on a Sunday night when I felt like something new. I love the Italian chopped salad at McAlister’s Deli, so I was thinking about that as I started, but I like how it ended up even better if I do say so myself. Its distinctive flavors still go together well. It makes a HUGE amount, so I quickly realized I’d need to share and took most of it to work the next day. I was pleased to find I didn’t even have to try to find a spot in the fridge for it again when I went to put it away at the end of lunchtime since it had all vanished – yay!

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The best part about this recipe, as I face down a 99 degree afternoon, is that it requires no cooking except quickly boiling the tortellini, and it’s served at a nice chilly temp.  This is filling enough to be your dinner or a hearty side or appetizer.  ~Robin 

Ingredients:

  • Buitoni three-cheese tortellini, 1 20 oz. bag
  • 2 medium cucumbers, chopped
  • ½ red onion, diced or thinly sliced (about a cup, sliced)
  • 2 c. of tiny tomatoes, halved or quartered depending on size (I love Sunset’s Wild Wonders Gourmet Medley for their variety of colors, but you can snag any grape or cherry tomato variety as well)  
  • 1 c. sliced Kalamata olives (could use green olives too, but I love Kalamata olives)
  • About 4 c. of baby spinach (stems removed)
  • 2 c. hard salami, cubed into ½ in. chunks (about 10 oz. by weight)*
  • 2 c. provolone cheese, cubed into ½ in. chunks (about 10 oz. by weight)
  • 1 c. Ott’s creamy Italian dressing
  • Black pepper, fresh cracked, to taste (optional)

Instructions:

Prepare one package of tortellini according to package instructions, except do not add any olive oil – it would make it harder for the dressing to stick to the pasta later.  Drain very well and set aside to dry further and cool.  

Once pasta is cool enough and well-drained, add all other ingredients except tomatoes, black pepper, dressing, and olives; then mix. Add tomatoes, olives, pepper (if desired), and dressing, gently tossing until mixed well and salad is coated with dressing throughout. Chill & serve.  

*My deli counter sliced the salami and cheese into ½ inch thick slices so I was able to simply chop it into cubes from there…big time saver!  This salami from the deli is SO much better than the lunch meat slices you may have been tortured with by a well-meaning relative as a child. I thought I didn’t like salami all my life, but it turned out I just hadn’t had the right salami.  Give salami a chance! Unless you’re one of our vegetarian friends, in which case you can save a couple bucks instead.  🙂 

Greek Quesadillas

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  Posted by Robin 

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I make these as a (very filling) vegetarian dish, but if you want to throw in some shredded rotisserie chicken, you could. My husband Barry usually complains about all-veggie meals because he doesn’t feel like they are filling, but he loves this one – and stays good and full. It’s one of our daughter Emery’s favorites too!  These are so rich tasting and super easy, but I also love how absolutely gorgeous they are. We all deserve a pretty meal now and then!  

Ingredients: 

8 8-inch tortillas*

2 c. shredded mozzarella*

1 red onion, thinly sliced

2 c. fresh spinach

1/2 c. feta cheese, crumbled*

1 red bell pepper, chopped** 

12 Kalamata olives, pitted & sliced (I usually buy them sliced and count 2 or 3 slices as one olive depending on size)

Cooking spray

*Weight Watchers-friendly ingredient substitutes:  

8 8-inch Ole Extreme Wellness High Fiber low carb tortillas wraps

2 c. shredded part-skim mozzarella

½ c. fat-free feta (Nikkos is my brand)

**You can do sun-dried tomatoes instead of red bell peppers; I don’t think they go as well together so I recommend either/or – the bell pepper is definitely the healthier option and is my preference – the sun-dried tomato can be too dominant a flavor for me, but Barry loves them.

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Directions:

Spray non-stick pan with cooking spray; begin heating to medium heat.  Place a tortilla on a plate and build, using about a half cup of mozzarella per quesadilla (it’s the glue that will hold it all together).  Pile on what you’d like (for Weight Watchers, no more than 9 slices of olives – about 3 olives); place carefully in the pan and top with another tortilla. Brown on both sides; cut and serve.

Weight Watchers Info.:  For a whole 8-in. quesadilla, this is just 8 SmartPoints (serves 4).

Cheesepic

Cream Cheese Quiche with Sausage, Cheese, & Spinach

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This quiche is one of Erin’s kids’ favorite meals.  It’s often requested for breakfast, brunch, and even supper.  Who doesn’t love breakfast food for supper?!  It’s so quick and easy to throw together and tastes like something you’d get at a fancy brunch.  There are two sets of ingredients noted below (standard & WW friendly).  Enjoy!

Standard Ingredients (See Below for WW Ingredient List):

  • 7 eggs, room temperature
  • 8 oz. cream cheese, room temperature
  • 1 c. finely shredded cheddar or Colby-jack cheese
  • 1 deep dish frozen pie crust
  • 8 oz. breakfast sausage
  • 2 c. baby spinach, loosely packed
  • 2 T. half & half or milk
  • 1 tsp. salt
  • ½ tsp. black pepper

WW Ingredients:

  • 7 eggs, room temperature
  • 8 oz. reduced-fat cream cheese, room temperature
  • 1 c. Kraft 2% Mexican shredded cheese blend
  • 1 deep dish frozen pie crust (such as Pillsbury All Vegetable)
  • 8 oz. turkey breakfast sausage, browned (Jennie-O used here)
  • 2 c. baby spinach, loosely packaged
  • 2 T. fat-free half & half
  • 1 tsp. salt
  • ½ tsp. black pepper

Instructions:

Preheat oven to 375°F.

Make sure your eggs and cream cheese are room temperature.  If not, you can microwave the cream cheese until it’s softened but not warm.  You can place your eggs in lukewarm water to bring them to room temperature faster.

Chop the spinach, removing any tough stems as needed.

In a blender, combine room temp. cream cheese, eggs, half & half, and salt & pepper until smooth.

Layer half the browned sausage, half the chopped spinach, and half the cheese in the bottom of the frozen pie crust.

Pour half the egg mixture over top.

Repeat with the remaining ingredients.

Place quiche on foil-lined cookie sheet (in case it overflows!) and bake for approximately 45 minutes, or until center is set.  If it starts to brown too much, place a piece of foil loosely over the top.

WW Freestyle Info:  This makes 8 servings at 9 points each.   (Old SmartPoints:  10 SmartPoints).

*Don’t have sausage?  No problem.  You can substitute crisp bacon or ham for the sausage.  (Be sure to adjust WW SmartPoints accordingly, if applicable.)