Spinach, Chicken and Pasta Salad

16 oz. Bowtie pasta, cooked

1 (10 oz.) Bag fresh spinach

1 (6 oz.) Bag craisins

2 (11 oz.) cans mandarin oranges, drained.

½ C chopped fresh parsley

1 bunch chopped green onions

2 C. cooked, diced chicken

Dressing:

¾ C. oil

2/3 C. bottled teriyaki sauce

2/3 C. vinegar (white, red wine, or apple cider- whatever you like!)

6 T. sugar

½ t. salt

½ t. pepper

Blend the dressing ingredients in a blender.  Mix the dressing and cooked pasta in a large bowl and refrigerate for a while (2 hours).  Just before serving, add all ingredients, minus the spinach. You can either mix in the spinach with the other ingredients, or serve the pasta mixture over spinach in individual servings.  This makes a lot!

Spinach Artichoke Dip ~ Heidi Allen

2 C grated Mozzarella cheese

½ C sour cream

½ C grated Parmesan cheese

dash of pepper

3 garlic cloves, crushed

1 (14 oz) can artichoke hearts, drained and chopped

2 blocks cream cheese, softened

2 C spinach, chopped

Combine 1 ½ C of the mozzarella, 2 Tbsp of the Parmesan, and all the other ingredients. Stir until well blended. Put in a 8x8 baking dish. Sprinkle the top with the remaining mozzarella and Parmesan. Bake at 350 for 45 minutes or until the entire top is golden brown and bubbly. Serve with tortilla chips or crackers.

Spinach Quiche

Mix together 4 eggs, well beaten, and 6 T flour until smooth.

Add the following

½ carton of 10 oz pkg fresh spinach

1 cup cottage cheese

1 cup grated cheddar cheese

½ tsp salt

1 cup diced chicken, ham or bacon

Pour into greased casserole dish (round) and sprinkle 1 cup cheddar cheese on top.  Cover and cook for 45 minutes at 350.  Remove lid during last few minutes of baking.  Allow to cool some before serving.  

Spinach Poppers

These sound weird but they are delicious and so nutritious.  You must try them! 

Uncle Ben's 90 second heat-in-microwave wild rice packet
5-10 oz spinach
2 eggs
8 oz shredded mozzarella
1/4 cup Parmesan cheese
1 tsp dried Italian herbs

Heat oven to 350. Put parchment paper on a cookie sheet.  In skillet, saute 5-10 ounces spinach over 1 T olive oil over medium heat, add salt and pepper to taste.  (Could also add chopped garlic, garlic powder, or chopped onion, if you were feeling fancy.) While spinach is cooking down, add 2 eggs to a bowl and beat.  Add 8 oz of shredded mozzarella cheese, 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese (Kraft is fine), 1 tsp dried Italian herbs.  Heat rice package in microwave and add that and the spinach to the egg/cheese mixture. Stir until mixed. 
Using a serving type spoon, spoon up a mound of the mixture and place on cookie sheet.  Bake for 20-25 minutes.  Serve with pizza sauce.