Spinach Stuffed Cucumber Cases Food

SPINACH-RICOTTA STUFFED SHELLS

Steps:

• Make the sauce: Heat the olive oil in a large wide pot over medium-high heat. Add the garlic and cook until golden brown, about 2 minutes. Add the tomatoes, oregano, red pepper flakes, 1/2 teaspoon salt and a few grinds of pepper. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat to a simmer. Cook, stirring, until thickened, 15 to 20 minutes; season with salt. (You should have about 4 heaping cups of sauce.)
• Make the stuffed shells: Preheat the oven to 375˚ F. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta shells and cook as the label directs for baking, about 9 minutes. Rinse under cold water to stop the cooking. Spread out on a baking sheet.
• Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the spinach and cook, tossing occasionally, until wilted, 2 to 3 minutes. Remove to a large plate lined with a kitchen towel. Squeeze to remove any excess liquid, then finely chop.
• Put the spinach in a large bowl and add the ricotta, mozzarella, parsley, Parmesan, lemon zest, beaten egg, 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1 teaspoon pepper. Stir until combined.
• To assemble, spread about half of the sauce in the bottom of a 10-by-14-inch baking dish. Evenly fill the shells with the spinach-ricotta mixture using a spoon, or pipe it in using a pastry bag. Arrange the shells side by side, open-side up, in the baking dish on top of the sauce, then top with the remaining sauce.
• Cover the dish with foil and bake until heated through and the sauce is simmering around the edges, about 30 minutes. Remove the foil and bake until any shells or cheese poking through the sauce are lightly browned in spots, about 10 more minutes. Let sit 10 minutes. Top with more Parmesan and red pepper flakes.

SPINACH PANCAKES

Steps:

• Put the flour, baking powder, sugar, eggs, butter, milk and spinach in a blender and whizz until you get a smooth, bright green batter.
• Heat a little more butter in a non-stick frying pan over a medium heat and add small dollops to the pan, 2-3 at a time. Cook for 2 mins until the edges are set, and bubbles are rising to the surface, then flip and cook for 1-2 mins more. Keep warm while you cook the remaining batches.
• Serve with berries and a drizzle of syrup to serve.

SPINACH CUCUMBER SALAD WITH YOGURT DRESSING

Steps:

• Whisk the lemon juice and honey in a bowl. In a separate bowl, whisk the yogurt and olive oil together. Whisk while adding the yogurt to the lemon juice in a thin stream. Add the mint, then add the salt and pepper to taste. Cover and chill the dressing for up to 24 hours.
• Combine the spinach, cucumbers and onion in a large bowl. Season with a little salt and pepper. Add just enough dressing to moisten the salad. Toss to coat, and serve with extra dressing on the side.

STUFFED CUCUMBER SLICES

Steps:

• Cut off an inch on the ends of the cucumber.
• Hollow out the cucumber and take out all the seeds with a knife.
• Let the juices from the cucumber drain on a paper towel for a few minutes.
• Mix together all other ingredients except for the pimento.
• Stuff the cucumber with cheese mixture and wrap in plastic wrap.
• Let chill in the refrigerator for 20 minutes.
• Slice cucumber in 1/4 inch slices and trim with pimento strips formed into little bows.
• They should look like little wreaths on a serving plate.