Roasted Garlic, Spinach, Walnut, Pesto

Ingredients:

1 5 oz pkg of fresh, washed baby spinach

1 C grated Parmesan Cheese

1 C walnuts

1 whole head of garlic

Salt to taste

About 3/4 C Olive oil


Directions:

Wrap garlic in aluminum foil and roast in 350° oven for about 30 min till it is slightly brown on top.  A wonderful smell will fill the house as it roasts.  Allow to cool so that you can handle it then squeeze out as much garlic as you can, it should be paste consistency.

Place all ingredients into food processor except oil, pulse processor a few times then with processor running drizzle in olive oil till desired consistency.  You could add a bit of water if you like it thinner.

While still warm toss with hot pasta and enjoy.  It can also be frozen for another day or freeze in small portions to use as needed.

My Cuisinart is 30 years old, one of the most used items in
my kitchen the pesto is ready in seconds.

Spinach Mac & Cheese

Let's face it, just about everyone I know will eat Mac & Cheese anytime so throwing in spinach makes it a step healthier.  This turned out so good!  I am a Mac & Cheese connoisseur, I would love to find out it is the healthiest low calorie thing to eat someday........I'll keep dreaming.
This is just my regular Mac & Cheese recipe with spinach added.  As I have in the original post I like using a variety of cheeses and therefore it always comes out a little different.  This night it was Gruyere (always a good choice & melts nicely), Cheddar, a small bit of Blue Cheese for the intensity, and some Parmesan.  So next time you want to add to that Mac & Cheese or healthy it up a bit through in some dark greens of your choice.


Penne Pasta
2 c skim milk
2T butter
2 T flour
garlic powder
ground mustard
fresh ground pepper
1 1/2 c grated cheese --total Gruyere, Cheddar, Parmesan, Blue Cheese
2 pkgs frozen spinach, cooked, drained and squeezed dry
breadcrumbs or club crackers crumbles for crunchy top 


Boil penne till al dente, drain, set aside.  In same pot melt butter, stir in flour to form rue, let cook 1 minute, stir in milk, spices and let thicken.  If it gets a little to thick slowly add more milk till desired consistency.   Add spinach & cheese stir till blended, mix in penne and spoon into buttered baking dish.  Top with a little more grated Gruyere cheese and breadcrumbs.  Bake till bubbly about 15 min in 350 oven.