How did we celebrate our re-entry into the meat world? With a classic roast chicken dinner. (Oh, and there also might have been a bite or two or five of roasted pork at Robertaโs the other day.) We ate the chicken last night, which was Thursday, which is also known in our house as โBig Fat Nothing Day.โ No activities, no mom going to work. No scheduled plans. So I could take my time in the kitchen, and in the end, our dinner felt more like one weโd eat on Sunday. Which was a really nice way to head into the long weekend.
Creamed Spinach Made with No Cream
Thaw a box or a bag of frozen spinach by placing it in a colander and running warm water over it for a few minutes. Press down on the spinach to squeeze out all the liquid. In a small frying pan over medium heat, add olive oil and a half a large onion (chopped), salt, pepper, a few red pepper flakes (optional, as always). After about 5 minutes, add spinach and toss with onions until spinach is heated through. Sprinkle 1 to 2 teaspoons of flour (this will prevent curdling of milk in next step) and stir. Add about 1/3 to 1/2 cup of milk (lowfat, 1%, wholeโฆany kind but chocolate!) depending on how creamy you like your creamed spinach, and a pinch of freshly ground nutmeg. Stir until heated through and serve. Squeeze a little fresh lemon juice on spinach once itโs on the plate.
Cole Slaw
In a medium bowl, whisk together 1/2 cup mayonnaise, 2 tablespoons cider vinegar, 2 teaspoons celery seed, salt and pepper. Add about 2 cups shredded cabbage and toss. Try a bite and adjust to taste. I had to add a little sugar to balance out the vinegar. Keep adjusting til it tastes right to you.
And hereโs my old-reliable recipe for Roast Chicken with Vegetables, but I know how personal a Roast Chicken decision can be, so I wonโt be offended if you swap in your own.
Can you use fresh spinach?
Yes, definitely. Iโd use kitchen scissors to chop up the spinach once itโs sauteed and wilted in the pan. Itโs easier for kids to eat chopped spinach than leaves, which can get stringy.
Creamed spinach with no cream? Interesting! I am going to have to give that a try. I am assuming almond milk would work, right?
Maryea โ wow! almond milk! never thought about that or tried it โ please tell me how it turns out!
Whenever I do a roasted chicken & veg, I now do way more vegetable than I know weโll eat because I have discovered how amazingly yummy roasted vegetable SOUP is โ just heat the left-over roasted veg (usually potatoes, carrots, onions, garlic) with stock and blend. I serve with crumbled bacon and goat cheese on top.
A small thing โ running water over a bag of spinach for a few minutes seems wasteful. In our house soaking the bag in some warm/hot water in the sink for ten minutes usually does the trick.
Love the recipe, though!
This cream spinach with no cream is healthy and seems yummy. Iโm gonna try on saturday for sure .