Posted by Nydia Streets of Streets Law in South Florida Family Events and Recipes

Fewer vegetables are easier to incorporate in most recipes than spinach. Must be why there is a national day to celebrate it on March 26! Here are some spinach-friendly recipes to try this weekend.

• Bacon and Spinach Stuffed Chicken (courtesy of Delish.com)

Ingredients

• 4 boneless skinless chicken breasts

• Kosher salt

• Freshly ground black pepper

• 4 oz. cream cheese, softened 

• 1/2 c. frozen spinach, defrosted and drained

• 1/3 c. chopped artichoke hearts

• 1 c. shredded mozzarella, divided 

• Pinch crushed red pepper flakes

• 4 strips bacon, cut into 4 strips

• 2 tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil 

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 400°. Line a large baking sheet with foil. Make slits widthwise in chicken, being careful not to cut all the way through chicken. Season with salt and pepper. Place on prepared baking sheet. 

2. In a medium bowl, combine cream cheese, spinach, artichokes, and ½ cup of mozzarella. Season with salt, pepper, and a pinch of red pepper flakes. Fill every other slit with cream cheese mixture and fill remaining slits with a piece of bacon. Sprinkle remaining ½ cup mozzarella on top and drizzle with oil. 

3. Bake until chicken is cooked through and bacon is crispy, 35 minutes.

• Spinach Alfredo Sauce (courtesy of allrecipes.com)

Ingredients

• ½ cup butter 

• ¾ cup thawed frozen chopped spinach

• 1 pint heavy whipping cream

• 3 tablespoons cream cheese

• 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese

• 1 teaspoon garlic powder

• 1 pinch salt and ground black pepper to taste

Directions

1. Heat butter in a saucepan over low heat; cook spinach in the melted butter until warmed, about 1 minute. Add cream and cream cheese to spinach mixture; cook and stir until cream cheese is melted, about 5 minutes.

2. Fold Parmesan cheese and garlic powder into spinach mixture; season with salt and pepper. Simmer until sauce is thickened and smooth, about 10 more minutes.

• Spinach Artichoke Mashed Potatoes (courtesy of Delish.com)

Ingredients

• 3 lb. Yukon Gold potatoes, peeled and quartered 

• Kosher salt

• 1 (8-oz.) block cream cheese, softened and cut into cubes

• 4 tbsp. butter

• 1/2 c. milk

• 1 c. shredded white cheddar

• 1 (10-oz.) package frozen spinach, defrosted and drained

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

• 1 1/2 tsp. garlic powder

• Freshly ground black pepper

• Pinch crushed red pepper flakes

Directions

1. In a large pot cover potatoes with water and season generously with salt. Bring to a boil and boil until pierced easily with a knife, 16 to 18 minutes. Drain and return to pot. 

2. Add cream cheese to pot with potatoes and use a potato masher to mash until smooth. 

3. In a small pot over medium heat, heat butter and milk together until butter is melted. Pour over mashed potatoes and mix until combined. Add cheddar, spinach, artichokes, and garlic powder and mix until combined. Season with salt, pepper, and a pinch of red pepper flakes. 

Enjoy!