Spinach

I love spinach and all its possibilities.

Recipes calling for cooked, chopped spinach vary greatly in the preparation of those delicious fresh greens. This is a no fuss way to ready your spinach leaves for greatness.

In a 1 1/2 qt. microwave-safe bowl pile in the spinach leaves.  Pack them down a bit to fit as much as possible.  Add 1/4 cup of water then cover with a bowl or plate that's about the size of the top of the bowl.

Microwave for 2 minutes.

Let the spinach just sit, covered, in bowl till cool enough to handle.  This gives it a little more steaming time.  Here it is, steamed till just tender.

Now squeeze the moisture out in handfuls, chop as desired and your fresh spinach is ready to go.

This will give you about 1 cup.  I know, it's never enough.  More spinach, please.

Happy Valentine's Day

These cookies are delicious in any size or shape, any time of year, but decorating valentine cookies is SO much fun.

Rosemary Shortbread Cookies (adapted from Peace Meals)

2 cups unsalted butter, softened at room temperature
1 1/2 cups powdered sugar
1 T vanilla
4 cups flour
1/2 t salt
1 1/2 T fresh rosemary, chopped very fine

Cream the butter in a large bowl.  Add the sugar gradually and blend until creamy.  Add the vanilla, salt and rosemary.  Mix in flour till combined.  Remove dough from bowl and flatten into two disks.  Wrap in saran and chill for at least an hour.

Roll dough on floured surface till about 1/4" thick.  Bake on parchment lined cookie sheet at 350 degrees for 12 minutes.  Cool completely then ice.

Icing

1 1/2 cups powdered sugar
2 T milk
1 T light corn syrup
1/2 t (scant) almond extract
food coloring if desired

These are my cookies to share with friends.  It's also really fun to ice in one color and write valentine words in another, "I luv U," Kiss Me," "XOX."

A pink raffia bow makes it pretty and festive.