Soups & Sandwiches

Spinach & Artichoke Grilled Cheese

What You Need

Fresh spinach – enough for about 3 cups chopped
Canned artichoke hearts – about 3 (around 6 ounces)
2 cloves garlic
1 tablespoon olive oil
2 tablespoons sour cream
1 cup shredded cheese (we used a blend of mozzarella, Monterrey jack and provolone)
4 pieces bread
Kosher salt
Butter or more olive oil)

What To Do

1  Dice the 2 cloves garlic. Chop the artichokes. Wash and stem the spinach, then chop it coarsely.

2  Heat about 1 tablespoon olive oil in a skillet. Add the garlic and saute for 30 seconds. Then add the spinach and a pinch of kosher salt, and saute for a few minutes until just limp. Add the artichokes and saute for another minute or so, until heated through. Drain off any liquid from the pan. Stir in 2 tablespoons sour cream and another pinch of kosher salt.

4  Spread butter (or olive oil) on one side of each of the 4 bread pieces. Heat a griddle pan to medium high heat. Place 2 pieces of bread on the griddle, buttered side down. On each piece, spread some shredded cheese, the spinach artichoke filling, some more cheese (1/2 cup cheese per sandwich), and the other piece of bread. When the bottom bread is browned, flip the sandwich and cook until the bread is toasted and the cheese is melted.  

 

Zuppa Toscana Soup (Olive Garden Knockoff)

3 cans chicken broth
2 cups whipping cream

red pepper flakes (to taste)
salt and pepper (to taste)
1-2 cups kale, chopped
3-4 potatoes, sliced thin
1 lb mild Italian sausage, cooked

Place all ingredients inside slow cooker/crock pot. Cook on high 3-4 hours.
Serve with crackers or bread sticks.

The Italian sausage I used was in links and was spicy. I cut open each link and crumbled and browned it.
I did not drain it and regretted it as in the pictures will show it to be greasy. We are not fans of Italian sausage but my husband loves this soup at Olive Garden. I will try it with ground meat and beef broth next time and will update.

Thanks to Leslie H. for this great recipe.

Don't forget, if you try it let me know how it turned out. Send in pictures of your tweaked recipe!