by Robin Canada

Created on: November 20, 2008

Spinach does not have to be the enemy. Kids seem to hate it and we seem to endlessly try to shove it down them. Some creative ways are out there if they can be found. You do not even have to tell the kids what is in it!

My grandmother used to make the best spinach lasagna. I never knew what was in it when I was young but I loved it. Smothered in sauce with noodles and beef, it was great when I went to her house and knew she was making "green lasagna". You would make it just like other lasagna but add a package of frozen spinach.

Another recipe that I make is so simple and quick. Anyone can do it and it is fast to prepare and serve for those nights when you do not feel like cooking or you are in a rush to get somewhere. Boil some Three Cheese Tortellini which doesn't take long. Throw a package of frozen spinach into the pot with the boiling tortellini. On the side, brown any kind of your favorite meat. It can be ground beef, chicken, pork, does not matter, even shrimp is good in it. Once all ingredients are cooked, drain everything, put it back in the large pot and stir in a jar of garlic alfredo sauce and serve. You have a great meal that the kids will love. I have tested this one and it sounds so good right now, I am going to make it for dinner tonight.

Spinach can be mixed into many dishes. Spaghetti, pizza toppings, goolash, the choices are limitless.

Here is another family favorite of ours is a very creative meatloaf that the kids love. I take a couple pounds of hamburger, put it in a large bowl, stir in a small box of any flavor of Stove Top, two eggs, half a cup of milk, some Season All, and half a package of spinach. Stir it all up completely. Then on a cutting board, spread the mixture out flat and rectangular kind of like you would lay out a pie crust but not circular. Then put sliced cheese on the top. Then roll the mixture up like a pin wheel and seal it off so the cheese does not escape. Bake for about 45 minutes and you have what I call "cheeseburger meatloaf". You can tell the kids it's spinach or you can choose to say it's like the lettuce on a cheeseburger. Trust me, it has been a hit with kids who even hate meatloaf.

Whatever your choice, make it fun. Get the kids involved in cooking and they are more likely to enjoy their creation. If they measure everything, you are teaching math and home economics at the same time. They can add creative ingredients like tomatoes, bacon, things like that to make it even more grand!

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