Wednesday, May 5, 2010

Spinach Maria

The birthday boy is having a nice day. There's been a little bit of schooling, some basking in the sunshine, a couple of naps, peanut butter sandwiches with the boys, a little more napping....it's a dog's life, indeed! I have yet to get him to wear the birthday hat, however.

Last night's dinner was a lovely roast chicken. I learned about spatchcocking chickens from the marvelous Pam at Sidewalk Shoes last year, and have used the technique several times. Last night, since my chicken "carcass" wasn't fully thawed, I cut it along the backbone, opened the chicken up and salted the inside. Carrots, chives and onions tucked under the bird, which was opened flat, and tucked under the skin, provided great flavor. But my favorite part of the meal was the Spinach Maria.

A very long time ago, Calhoun's in West Knoxville (which may not still be there, since they ran a new highway's exit ramp basically through the parking lot) served wonderful ribs and pulled pork, with this Spinach Maria as a side dish. This is my feeble attempt to recreate it. Since there are never any leftovers, it must be somewhere near accurate.

SPINACH MARIA

1-1/2 pounds fresh or frozen spinach
1 tsp salt
1/4 cup water
1/4 cup butter
1/2 cup heavy cream

6 tbsp parmesan cheese
1/2 tsp ground nutmeg

In a saucepan, cook the spinach with the salt and water over low heat until the water is evaporated and the spinach is barely cooked, about 5 minutes. Stir in the butter and nutmeg, and let the butter melt. Sprinkle the parmesan over the spinach, pour the cream
over it, stir well, heat for a minute, and serve at once.
This is not the least caloric way to serve a vegetable, but it's really good, and sometimes that's the point, right?

Tomorrow, Thor will share birthday pictures with you. Hope you're all having a sunny Wednesday!

24 comments:

Big Dude said...

Interestingly we had spinach maria last night ourselves and since you moved north, Calhoun's has actually published the recipe in the newspaper. If you'd like it shoot me an email at grandpop1@yahoo.com and I'll send it to you.

Lapdog Creations said...

Happy Birthday Thor... be sure to party-it-up big guy!!!!!! XOXOXO

buffalodick said...

In dishes- spinach is OK..just spinach- not so much..

Pam said...

This sounds delicious! Love that spinach!

Tatersmama said...

Spinach? OMG... you got me there! I adore spinach in any shape form or fashion, and I'm notorious with my family for tossing it into just about anything - I love it that much!!

Happy Birthday Thor!! You may baulk at doing the ol' birthday hat thing, but just tell your mom that you're wearing your BIRTHDAY SUIT... that should shut her down for a while!!!

Scrabblequeen said...

Happy birthday Thor! I hope the goodies just keep coming all day long. Spinach Maria sounds yummy...

pam said...

Happy Birthday Thor!!! He wants more chicken and less spinach.

sandy said...

I love fresh spinach and put it in lots of things besides salads; but cooked frozen spinach haven't had since I was a kid and had no choice.

Does make me think of Poopeye though. lol

Sandy

Paula said...

Hey, we had spinach last night, too! Actually, I had spinach, no one else touched it. Grrr. Mine wasn't fancy like yours though, so perhaps that's why yours gets eaten! :-)

Paula said...

Forgot to say Happy Birthday to Thor! :-)

gMarie said...

Happy Happy Birthday little man. It is a dog's life indeed. Enjoy. g

The Blonde Duck said...

That sounds great!

Dexter said...

Hey Thor! You are showing up on the blog more often. I think that is great.

Why won't you wear your birthday hat? If you wore it while you were meditating you wouldn't even notice.

Slobbers,
Mango

Linda said...

Happy Birthday to Thor! I rarely if ever cook spinach.......salad I do lots. I might try it!

Ann Made Studio said...

Happy Birthday Thor! SOunds like you had a great day!

Delicious looking supper!

Sarah said...

I am always so frugal when I eat spinach. It reminds me to be healthy! This looks so yummy.

Claire S. said...

Happy birthday Thor ! Looks like you had a great day :-)

Thor and Jack said...

Happy Birthday Thor!!

Unknown said...

Gosh, Thor - I didn't realise it was your birthday! Happy Birthday! How old are you now?

Hope you got to eat some of that yummy looking spinach!

Slobbers,
Honey the Great Dane

Pam said...

We had a cold and rainy Wednesday. UGH!

Happy b-day to my favorite dog - big hugs and kisses for Thor!

The spinach Maria looks rich and so delicious!

Diane said...

I have a very similar dish to this with spinach which I could eat night after night. I must give your recipe a try, it looks delicious. Diane

Kapitein Haakje said...

happy b-day thor!!! :D
we send you pressie fur you b-day & gabe next week
well sanne had a little probleme with time! :p
but we send it next week

Kissslobbers
El'bow & Hauwii

SissySees said...

Since I'm the only one who eats spinach in my house and I don't need the calories, I think I'll just imagine what that might taste like...

grace said...

at first, i thought the title was 'spinach mania.' i guess that's an apt name too--your creamy concoction would be delicious!