Golden Rule Bar-B-Q Tortellini with Creamed Spinach

Ingredients

• 2 teaspoons salt
• 2 pounds fresh spinach*, stemmed and washed
• 1 1/2 cups milk
• 1/4 onion
• 2 bay leaves
• 3 cloves
• 1 sprig thyme
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour, sifted
• 1 pinch nutmeg
• 1 can cream of mushroom soup
• 1/2 cup heavy cream
• Salt and pepper
• 1 package tortellini (about 1 pound flavor of choice)

Instructions

1. Bring a pot of water with salt to boil over high heat for spinach. Cook until tender, about 3 to 4 minutes. Rinse in an ice bath, drain and chop. Set aside.
2. In a saucepan, heat milk, onion, cloves, bay leaves and thyme to just below the boiling point. In another pan, melt butter and stir in flour. Cook 2 minutes, stirring often. Remove from heat and whisk in strained milk culture, cook until thickened and add spinach.
3. Add cream and mushroom room to spinach mixture. Sprinkle with a pinch of nutmeg, season with salt and pepper to taste.
4. Boil tortellini according to package directions and drain. Add tortellini and pour into a baking dish sprayed with cooking spray. Bake at 350 degrees F for 20 minutes until bubbly.
5. Top with Parmesan cheese and chopped tomato.
6. Options: Add mushrooms or grilled chicken breast.
7. Serve with garlic bread.

Notes

* Frozen spinach may be used instead of fresh to save time.

Attribution

Posted by GayleL at Recipe Goldmine 10:22:30pm 2/24/03.

Source: wbrc.com - Lane Carr-Smith, Golden Rule Bar-B-Q, Calera