Since our kids are rarely here for Christmas dinner due to location and other commitments, we like to host a dinner for friends in a similar situation – those who might have a grilled cheese sandwich at home or go to Cracker Barrel for dinner. We usually have between 8 and 16, depending or what others have going on. This year there was 8 of us but it was very different. A three generation (mom, daughter, granddaughter) group of lady friends advised last week that we would be doing them a big favor if we allowed them to bring all of the food. Well Duh – even I’m sharp enough to recognize a great deal when it slaps me in the face.
Dinner was a spiral ham, broccoli casserole, spinach maria ala
Calhouns, sweet potato pie, fruit salad, hot rolls (the one thing we provided), and pecan pie.
This is my plate.
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This is the recipe for Spinach Maria
5 (10 oz) Packages frozen chopped spinach
4 ½ cups Milk
1 tsp Dry mustard
1 tsp Granulated garlic
1 ¾ tsp Crushed (dried) red pepper
½ medium Yellow onion
1 Tbsp Butter
5 Tbsp Melted butter
6 Tbsp All purpose flour
8 oz Velveeta cheese
4 oz Monterey jack cheese
1 ½ cups Grated cheddar cheese (for topping)
· Thaw spinach in the refrigerator for 24 hours. Squeeze as much excess water as possible out of the spinach.
· Heat milk and spices in 4 quart saucepan on medium heat to just below a boil (190 degrees). Reduce heat and simmer.
· Finely chop onion and saute it in 1 T butter on medium heat for 5 to 8 minutes. Add to saucepan.
· Combine the 5 T melted butter with the flour in a small saute pan. (This is the first step of making a roux, which will thicken the sauce.) Mix until completely blended. Cook on low heat 3 to 4 minutes to make roux.
· Add roux to milk in saucepan and mix well. Continue to cook until the sauce thickens.
· Cut the velveeta, cheddar, and jack cheese into small cubes and add to the sauce pan.
· Continue to mix until all the cheese is completely melted and blended into the sauce. Be careful not to burn the sauce while the cheese is melting.
· Remove from heat. Allow to cool for 15 minutes.
· Stir in drained spinach. Maybe placed in several containers and frozen.
· Add shredded cheese before freezing or at time of baking.
· Bake for 30 minutes at 350 F.
The pecan pie.
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Everything was delicious and I told them that since it made them fell good to do the cooking, we could make it a weekly deal if they’d like too. :)
Hope everyone had a great Christmas.
Larry