Spinach With Pesto Cream Sauce

Total Time: 25 mins Preparation Time: 10 mins Cook Time: 15 mins

Ingredients

• Servings: 6
• 2 (16 ounce) containers fresh baby spinach (organics brand)
• 3/4 cup chicken broth
• 1 tablespoon butter
• 4 teaspoons fresh lemon juice
• 1/4 teaspoon grated fresh lemon zest (yellow rind only)
• 1/4 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg (plus 1 pinch, to 3/8 teaspoon)
• 1/4 teaspoon sea salt
• 1/4 teaspoon sugar
• 1 dash fresh ground pepper
• 1/2 medium sweet vidalia onion, chopped
• 4 fresh garlic cloves, minced
• 1/2 cup fat-free cream cheese spread
• 1/3 cup fresh deli basil pesto
• 2 -4 tablespoons crumbled feta cheese

Recipe

• 1 place contents of 2 (16 ounce) tubs organics brand fresh baby spinach in large soup pot over medium heat; pour 1/2 cup water evenly over spinach; toss spinach until evenly dampened.
• 2 cover pot; cook spinach just until wilted, between 3-5 minutes, stirring once.
• 3 return spinach into colander in sink; drain completely and let set until ready to use.
• 4 into the medium saucepan add: 3/4 cup chicken broth, 1 tablespoon butter, 4 teaspoon fresh lemon juice, 1/4 teaspoon fresh grated lemon zest, 3/8 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg, 1/4 teaspoon sea salt, 1/4 teaspoon sugar, 1 dash fresh ground pepper; bring broth to gentle boil over medium heat.
• 5 chop 1/2 medium sweet vidalia onion; mince 4 fresh garlic cloves; add both to the saucepan with broth mixture; grate 1/4 teaspoon fresh lemon zest; squeeze 4 teaspoons fresh lemon juice. add all to broth mixture; reduce heat slightly.
• 6 simmer uncovered until onion is almost transparent; reduce heat to low.
• 7 stir in 1/2 cup light cream cheese spread (up to 8 ounces) and 1/3 cup (or more) fresh deli basil pesto into the saucepan mixture, fold together gently until cream cheese has melted and the sauce is consistent and creamy (stir 2 tablespoons heavy cream now if a richer sauce is desired); season sauce to taste now, if necessary.
• 8 remove drained cooled spinach from colander; chop spinach coarsely.
• 9 fold spinach into sauce mixture until thoroughly blended (fold in 2-4 tablespoons crumbled feta cheese now, if desired, one tablespoon at a time, gradually until blended).
• 10 serve and enjoy.