Copycat Calhouns Spinach Maria Food

SPINACH MARIA

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350°.
• In a large saucepan over medium heat, melt 1 tablespoon butter. Add onion and cook until softened and lightly golden, 4 to 5 minutes.
• Add milk, garlic powder, red pepper flakes and mustard powder to saucepan. Bring the mixture to a boil, stirring regularly. As soon as it starts to boil, reduce heat to simmer, leaving it to thicken.
• Melt remaining 5 tablespoons butter in a smaller saucepan, then sprinkle in flour and stir to form a paste, cooking over low heat for 2 to 3 minutes. Add mixture to the large saucepan and stir to combine.
• Reduce heat on the large saucepan to medium, then gradually add Velveeta and cheddar, stirring regularly so it melts, creating a thick sauce. Add in 1/2 cup Monterey Jack cheese. Once all of the cheese has melted, remove saucepan from heat.
• Drain any excess water from the thawed spinach. Add it to the cheese sauce, mixing to combine. Pour the mixture into a large casserole dish and top with remaining Monterey Jack cheese. Cook in the oven for 15 to 17 minutes, or until cheese has melted and mixture is bubbling slightly.

CALHOUN'S KNOXVILLE TENNESSEE SPINACH MARIA

Steps:

• Thaw spinach.
• Squeeze as much excess water as possible from spinach.
• Heat milk and spices in a 4 qt.
• saucepan on medium heat to just below a boil.
• Reduce and simmer.
• Saute chopped onion in 1 TBSP butter on medium heat for 5-8 minutes.
• Add onion to saucepan.
• Combine the 5 TBSP melted butter with the flour in a small saucepan.
• Mix until completely blended.
• Cook on low heat 2-3 minutes.
• Add to milk in saucepan and mix.
• Continue to cook until sauce thickens.
• Cut cheeses into small cubes and add to saucepan.
• Continue to mix until all the cheese is completely melted and blended into the sauce.
• Be CAREFUL not to BURN the sauce while cheese is melting.
• Remove from heat.
• Allow to cool for 15 minutes.
• Add drained spinach to cheese sauce and mix till completely blended.
• Spoon into a 11x9x2 or large casserole and top with grated Monterey jack cheese.
• Bake at 350 for 12-15 minutes, until hot and bubbly.
• This can be served as a side dish or as an appetizer with tortilla chips.

COPYCAT CALHOUN'S SPINACH MARIA

Steps:

• Thaw spinach in refrigerator for 24 hours. Squeeze as dry as possible. Heat milk and spices on medium heat to just below a boil (190 degrees F). Reduce heat and simmer. Finely chop the onion and saute it in 1 Tablespoon butter on med. heat 5 to 8 minutes. Add to milk. Combine melted butter w/ flour in small saute pan. Mix until completely blended. Cook on low heat 3 to 4 minutes to make roux. Add roux to milk; mix well. Cook until sauce thickens. Cut cheeses into cubes and add to milk. Mix until cheese melts. (Be careful! Burns easily!) Remove from heat. Allow to cool 15 minutes. Add drained spinach to cheese sauce, mix until completely blended. Spoon into 11x9x2-inch dish. Top with grated Jack. Bake at 350 degrees F for 15-20 minutes until hot and bubbly. Recipe Source: Calhoun's Restaurant, Knoxville, TN via Knoxville News Sentinel, date unknown cook's notes This is light years away from being low fat/cal; but I can honestly say it's the best creamy/cheesy spinach dish I have ever eaten... and I love spinach, so I've tried lots of them!

SPINACH MARIA

Steps:

• Heat milk with the mustard,garlic& red pepper in pan to 190 degres,just below boiling point.
• Reduce heat.
• Crumble Velveeta cheese into a glass bowl and microwave until melted.
• Add milk to mixture, stirring until mixed.
• Saute onion in 1 tbsp butter, then add to the cheese sauce.
• Combine 5 tbsp melted butter and flour in small skillet,mix until blended.
• Cook over low heat for 3-4 minuest to make a roux, stirring constantly.
• Add roux to the cheese sauce.
• Cook over medium heat until the cheese sauce thickens, stirring constantly.
• Remove from heat and cool 15 minutes.
• Squeeze excess water from spinach and add to the cheese sauce; mix until just blended.
• Spoon in 2 greased 9x10" baking dishes.
• Sprinkle each with Monterey Jack cheese.
• Bake at 350 degrees for 12-15 minutes or until brown.