Spinich and Garlic Bruchetta

I made this recipie up instead of putting my laundry away. Its really yummy and a more creative use of my time. If you cant tell yet, I put spinich in almost everything... even in my spaghetti.

Serves: about 12
Time: 5 min

8 oz. cream cheese
2 garlic cloves minced
1 cup packed fresh spinich
1/4 c. parmesan cheese
1 tsp lemon juice
1 tsp basil flakes
tomato chopped fresh or sundried (optional)
1 loaf french bread (you can use cheesey bread too.)

slice loaf into 1 inch slices on a diagnal. lay on cookie sheet and put under the broiler for 3-5 min till golden brown. you can also put slices on the grill for about 30 sec or till slightly charred on edges. meanwhile pack spinich in a food processor and finley chop. add garlic, parmesan, lemon juice, and basil and chop again. Add cream cheese and pulse till creamy and smooth. (It will turn a minty green color). Spread on toasted bread while still warm and add optional tomatos. Serve immediatly. ( Spread can be made ahead of time.) you can finish off with a sprig of parsley for looks.

Smoky Corn Chowder/Pan-Seared Dumpling Salad

I found a few great recipes in my Real Simple magazine a few weeks ago that we really enjoyed. Here's a great non-traditional combination for a soup & salad night.

Smoky Corn Chowder:

Serves: 4-6
Time: 25 minutes

8 oz sliced bacon, cut into 1/2 inch pieces
1 lg sweet onion, chopped
2 cloves garlic, finely chopped
1/2 tsp paprika
1/4 tsp crushed red pepper flakes
2 10oz pkgs frozen corn
3 cups chicken or vegetable broth
1 cups half & half
4 scallions, trimmed & thinly sliced
salt & pepper

Cook bacon over medium heat until crisp. Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate. Spoon off and discard all but 2 tbsp of the drippings and return the pan to medium heat. Cook the onion, stirring occasionally, until soft. Add the garlic, paprika, and red pepper and cook, stirring for 2 minutes. Stir in the corn, broth, and half & half. Bring to boil. Reduce heat and simmer for 15 minutes. Transfer half the soup to a blender and puree until smooth. Return to the pan, add 1/2 tsp salt and 1/2 tsp pepper. Stir to combine. Divide the soup among individual bowls and top with the scallions and reserved bacon.

Pan-Seared Dumpling Salad:

Serves: 4

Time:25 min

2 tablespoons canola oil

12 frozen dumplings, pot stickers, or Japanese gyoza

2 shallots, thinly sliced

1 cup frozen shelled edamame

2 tablespoons grated ginger

2 bunches watercress, thick stems removed

1 tablespoon sesame oil

3 tablespoons rice vinegar

3 tablespoons soy sauce

salt

Heat 1 tablespoon of the canola oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the dumplings and cook until browned, 2 to 3 minutes per side. Add 3 tablespoons water and cook, covered, until cooked through, 8 to 10 minutes.Meanwhile, heat the remaining canola oil in another large skillet over medium heat. Add the shallots and cook, stirring occasionally, until soft, 5 to 7 minutes. Stir in the edamame, ginger, and 2 tablespoons water. Reduce heat to low and cook, covered, until the edamame are heated through, about 5 minutes. Remove from heat and add the watercress and 1/2 teaspoon salt and toss until just wilted.Divide among individual bowls and top with the dumplings.Whisk the sesame oil, rice vinegar, and soy sauce in a small bowl and drizzle over each salad.

Cheezy Chicken and Broccoli Calzones

Serves: 4
Time: 20 min

"This is so Blog-worthy" "I could eat this everyday!" "We should make these to impress our friends." "Everytime you make this meal it is good for 3 free footrubs." These are just a few of the things that Dave said about this meal. And it is so quick and easy to do!

2 (13 oz) pakages of pizza dough

2 cups cooked and cubed chicken

1 cup chopped broccoli

1 cup shreded cheddar cheese

1 can cream of chicken

2 garlic cloves minced

Cornmeal

Preheat oven to 425*. Cook and cube chicken (I cooked mine in the microwave for 10 min from frozen.) In a bowl mix all ingredents (not dough). Separate pizza dough into 4 eaqual parts. Roll out to make 4, 8" circles. On a cookie sheet lined with tin foil (for easy clean up) and sprinkle cormeal around sheet. Fold each circle in half and transfer to sheet. Open each and fill with 1/4 of mixture in center and away from edges of dough. Fold each in half again and pinch around edges to seal. Bake in oven for 10 min or until crust is a nice golden brown. Serve hot.

Toasted Garlic Bread

Serves: depends
Time: 7 min

1 loaf french bread sliced into 1 1/2 in slices on a diaganal.
3 garlic cloves
5 T butter or margrine
1/4 c parmesan cheese
1 tsp dry basil
1 T parsley flakes

Blend ingredients in a food processor and spread on both slices of bread. Cook in a pan over medium heat till golden brown, about 3 min per side. Serve warm. Butter can be kept in fridge in an airtight container for a while.