Spinach-Stuffed Mushrooms

I had some leftover spinach dip, and some extra mushrooms. I added about 1/2 c bread crumbs, and 1/2 cup shredded cheese to about 1 1/4c spinach dip and stuffed it into the mushrooms that I did not use for my traditional stuffed mushroom recipe. Baked at 350 for 15-20 minutes. These were good and a great use for leftovers.

Spinach and Feta Stuffed-Chicken

Ingredients:

• 4-5 chicken breasts
• 1 pkg. frozen, chopped spinach, thawed and drained of excess liquid
• 8 oz feta cheese, crumbled
• 2-3 strips of bacon per chicken breast
• paprika
• pepper
• toothpicks

Directions:

1. Combine spinach with feta and pepper to taste.
2. Slice chicken breasts down the middle to form a pocket (you could also pound them out)
3. Stuff chicken with filling and seal up with 2-3 tooth picks
4. Wrap 2-3 pieces of bacon around chicken
5. Sprinkle with paprika
6. Bake on 325 for one hour or until juices run clean on chicken
   

Spanakopita (Spinach Pie)

Ingredients:

• 2lbs baby spinach
• 1 package of filo dough (found in the frozen section)
• 1 bunch green onions, sliced
• 3 cloves of garlic, minced
• 8-10 ounces, feta cheese, crumbled
• olive oil
• pepper
• 3/4 stick unsalted butter, melted

Directions:

1. In a large skillet, sautee garlic and green onions in olive oil, about 6 minutes over medium heat.
2. Remove garlic and onions to a large bowl
3. Using same skillet and working in small batches, cook spinach until wilted and add to bowl with green onions and garlic
4. Add feta cheese to your taste (I like a lot) and mix well
   Melt unsalted butter
5. Open filo dough and slice strips of about 3-4 inches in thickness
6. Working quickly, brush butter thinly onto one strip of filo dough, adding about a 2 heaping tbsp of spinach mixture, until it is gone
7. Fold into triangle shape and place on rimmed baking sheet
8. Brush triangles on the outside with remaining butter
9. Bake for 30-45 minutes (or until triangles are a light, golden-brown) on 325

My Favorite Spinach Dip

I cannot remember where this one came from, but my mother first made it for my graduation party and we've been making it ever since.

Ingredients:

• box of frozen chopped spinach, thawed and excess water strained
• 8oz brick of cream cheese
• 2 cups shredded cheese, cheddar ( I use a Mexican Blend)
• 1 bunch of green onions sliced
• 1 small tomato, diced

Directions:

1. In a microwavable bowl, add spinach, cream cheese, shredded cheese and green onions
2. microwave for 3 minutes in 1 minute intervals, stirring between each interval
3. add tomatoes and mix well
4. serve with crackers or pretzels

Note: Reduced fat cream cheese and cheeses work fine in this recipe. Sometimes, I make a tomato rose for the center, if I am bring this to a party.