Tuesday, August 10, 2010

Pasta Florentine

This is a really easy way to get your family to eat their veggies. Did you know that calorie for calorie, leafy green vegetables like spinach provide more nutrients than any other food? True story! I love to use frozen, chopped spinach in any recipe, it just blends right in adding nutrients galore without an overpowering flavor or texture.
Frozen is definitely the way to go - Kroger will run their vegetables $1 a bag and you would not imagine how much fresh spinach it would take to make 12 oz frozen. A one dish wonder, make this and dinner is served. This is a very healthy dish, the homemade alfredo sauce is courtesy of Cooking Light.

Ingredients
2-3 Chicken Breast, diced
1 tsp olive oil
1 garlic clove
6-12 oz frozen spinach (depending on your taste)
10 oz pasta, cooked ( I recommend a whole wheat blend)
salt and pepper to taste
fresh parmesan for serving
Sauce
1 tablespoon butter
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
1 1/3 cups low-fat milk
1 cup grated fresh Parmigiano-Reggiano or parmesan cheese
2 tablespoons 1/3-less-fat cream cheese
1/2 teaspoon salt
Cracked black pepper

Melt butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Add garlic; cook 1 minute, stirring frequently. Stir in flour. Gradually add milk, stirring with a whisk. Cook 6 minutes or until mixture thickens, stirring constantly. Add 1 cup Parmigiano-Reggiano, cream cheese, and salt, stirring with a whisk until cheeses melt. Set aside.
In a large pan, saute chicken in olive oil until no longer pink, add garlic cooking about 1 minute longer. Add spinach and saute until wilted.
 Add sauce, toss together with cooked pasta. Serve with additional grated cheese and enjoy :)