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Spinach is a fairly popular vegetable. It is used fresh in salads, sauteed with garlic as a side dish and sometimes used in pastas and soups. Spinach tastes good and is good for you. If you already like spinach, just try these creative dishes that my family and I love. I've included three here and I bet you can think of a few of your own.

First, try adding spinach to your favorite burger. Everyone likes hamburgers or cheeseburgers. Prepare your hamburger mix as usual using beef, turkey or your favorite mix. Add whichever spices and/or condiments you like such as ketchup, onions, garlic and salt. Now just thaw and drain a ten ounce box of frozen chopped spinach and add it to your meat mixture before cooking. I use one box of spinach with three pounds of meat. Make sure you squeeze out as much of the water from the spinach that you can. The texture of this burger is great and it is very tasty. If you have picky eaters, this is a good way to sneak extra veggies into their diets. You can do the same with meatloaf or meatballs. You will need to adjust the amount of spinach according to the amount of meat but it works the same way.

Next, most people have had sauteed spinach with garlic and oil. How about trying spinach sauteed with coconut milk. I cook 1/2 pound of chopped bacon until crisp and drain it. Then I add two ten ounce bags of fresh spinach to the skillet, add salt and pepper, the cooked bacon, three cloves of chopped garlic and one thirteen ounce can of coconut milk. Let this simmer, covered, stirring occasionally until the spinach and garlic are tender. This tastes wonderful and is a more creative side dish than plain steamed spinach. This dish has also been very popular at pot-luck dinners.

The last dish I'd like to share with you is Italian chicken with spinach. I always make something I call Italian chicken. It is easy to prepare and my family loves it. I started adding spinach when my youngest son decided he would no longer eat vegetables. Thaw, drain and squeeze a ten ounce box of frozen, chopped spinach. Process the spinach, 1 1/2 cup Italian style bread crumbs, three cloves of garlic and salt and pepper until it is of sprinkling consistency. Oil a baking dish and add one whole, cut-up chicken. Pour one eight ounce bottle of your favorite Italian salad dressing over the chicken then sprinkle spinach/breadcrumb mixture over top. Bake covered about 45 minutes and uncover and bake ten minutes more or until topping is browned. This smells great while it is cooking and works best when served over rice or pasta. You could always use chicken breasts instead of mixed chicken pieces, just adjust the cooking time.

These are not the only ways I use spinach. I just chose these to get you started. Now think of the creative ways you use spinach and share them with us all.

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