Wednesday, May 6, 2015

Retro Mother's Day Week - Spinach Casserole #recipe from author @DarylWoodGerber

From Daryl aka Avery:

It's the first week of the month, and per my most recent newsletter—you got that, right?—I'm doing giveaways here and on Facebook (my Daryl page) during the first week of each month until Fudging the Books releases in August!  So see the giveaway below and click the word "comments" to enter.



***


For Retro Mother's Day Week, I've prepared one of my mother's go-to recipes. She served this often at her buffet parties. Yes, my mother was a party animal. Kid you not. She loved having friends over. When she and my father divorced, she partied even harder. She easily made lots of friends. From her real estate business, to her golfing buddies, to her bridge buddies. 



For her friends, she held wonderful buffet parties. She loved cheese platters and cold cuts and dips. She served Jell-O molds, mixed cocktails, delicious desserts.

For appetizers or main meals, she liked easy food that would satisfy quickly. This is one of her best. It's in my handwriting, not hers. Not sure where that recipe went. Bet my sister has it!

I love spinach. It's so good for you. The way it melds with cheese is amazing!

Now, this recipe calls for processed cheese. I am not a processed cheese person. I never have been. I know it is great in grilled cheese. Heck, it melts like a dream!!  But it's not cheese. C'mon.  So I have altered this recipe so it uses real Cheddar cheese. You pick. Pre-shredded or shred it yourself. Cut this little baby into 6 - 8 portions, or consider cutting it into little inch-square as appetizers.  Delicious and easy! Quiche with 
no crust. :)

PS  Have you ever noticed how old recipe cards are so smudged and used??



SPINACH CASSEROLE
(as a side dish or appetizer)

Ingredients:

2 packages chopped spinach, thawed
4 cups cottage cheese
8 ounces processed cheese (I used shredded cheddar)
6 beaten eggs
½ cup melted butter
6 tablespoons flour (I used potato starch)



Directions:


Drain thawed spinach. 


Mix all in a large bowl and pour the mixture into greased 9 x 13 baking dish.





Bake at 350 degrees F for 30-45 minutes.




Let sit for 10 minutes. Serve hot.






HALF RECIPE

1 package spinach
2 cups cottage cheese
4 ounces processed cheese (grated cheese)
3 beaten eggs
¼ cup melted butter
3 tablespoons flour

Mix and put into an 8 x 8 square pan.  Bake as directed.



GIVEAWAY

As promised, during the first week of each month until August, I'm giving away two books on Mystery Lovers Kitchen as well as 
on my Facebook page: DARYL WOOD GERBER
So leave a comment today as well as your email contact [you can be cryptic; I'm a mystery writer; I'll figure it out] and tell me whether you would prefer to win a 
Cookbook Nook Mystery or a Cheese Shop Mystery! 
 I'll pick a winner by Friday.
Good luck.  
PS  Sorry...no e-books and no Fudging the Books yet.  Just paper!




******************





Friend Daryl on Facebook
Friend Avery on Facebook
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Follow Avery on Twitter
Follow both of us on Pinterest
Check out our website.

AS GOUDA AS DEAD





FUDGING THE BOOKS, the next Cookbook Nook Mystery, is available for order: order here.



If you haven't done so, sign up for the mailing list 
so you can learn about upcoming events, releases, and contests! 

61 comments:

  1. Another wonderful recipe and backstory! I would prefer to win a
    Cookbook Nook Mystery book. EMS591@aol.com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi, LizNo. Thanks. BTW, I made this whole recipe and I'm still having it for lunches. Perfect!

      Daryl / Avery

      Delete
  2. Looks yummy and I agree with you about the cheese. Grew up with the processed stuff but as soon as I was in charge of my own kitchen explored all the varieties of real cheese!

    I would love to win a Cheese Shop Mystery. Thanks.
    sallycootie@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi, Sally, it's so much fun exploring a variety of cheese! Thanks for chiming in.

      Daryl/ Avery

      Delete
  3. Thank you for the recipe for the dish looks good! I would love to win a Cookbook Nook Mystery book, please. Thank you for the giveaway.
    myrifraf(at)gmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  4. Sounds delicious, Avery/Daryl. I loved the background on your mom too! I feel like I knew her and would have enjoyed those parties.


    Great giveaway too!

    Hugs.

    MJ (off to share)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. MJ, you would have loved her. You are a party animal. :)

      Daryl / Avery

      Delete
  5. The recipe looks good! If I win, I think I would like a Cheese Shop book. Wait, no, make it a Cookbook Nook book. Tough decision!

    ElaineE246 at msn dot com

    ReplyDelete
  6. I love the idea of recipes that say, "Mix everything in a bowl and then put into the pan." Wish it were all so easy!
    libbydodd at comcast dot net
    I'm equal opportunity on the book.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Libby, my mother had a lot of mix everything recipes. I shared Carmelita's dump cake way back when. It's so easy and yummy. These are the kinds of recipes my character Jenna likes, too. :)

      Daryl / Avery

      Delete
    2. And good for you for taking the time to respond to each message.

      Delete
    3. Libby, you bet. I love reading all these fun posts and comments. :)

      Hugs
      Daryl / Avery

      Delete
  7. Oh darn I've already read all the the cheese shop books, and the first 2 cookbook nook I'm currently reading stirring the plot. Well that's ok love your books! And the recipe looks great! I'm going to have to try!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Oh, darn? I'm thrilled you've read them all!! So, Abby, if you win, I'll figure out something "else" to send you - fun swag, okay? It's a random pick. Best of luck.

      Daryl / Avery

      Delete
  8. Enjoyed reading about the recipe, should give my family a break from creamed spinach. If my name is drawn I would like a Cookbook Nook Book.
    little lamb lst at yahoo dot com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Lil, this is like creamed spinach with texture because of all the cheese. Fun.

      Daryl / Avery

      Delete
    2. Looking forward to trying it out and I believe it will be a hit with hubby and the kids.

      Delete
    3. Looking forward to trying it out and I believe it will be a hit with hubby and the kids.

      Delete
  9. What a charming photograph! You can see how she adores her baby. Cottage cheese must have been popular when we were growing up. I see a theme here. This sounds so perfect that I am definitely making it. Maybe for Mother's Day!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yes, cottage cheese. My mother used it in jello molds, too! LOL

      Daryl / Avery

      Delete
  10. Thanks for halving the recipe. It is always helpful as I live alone. Although my friends never complain when I share with them. A Cheese Shop mystery would be great. Thank you!
    angelhwk68@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Barbara, this is a good recipe because it keeps a while in the fridge, so for one, perfect!

      Daryl / Avery

      Delete
  11. This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
  12. Just to be sure, what size package of spinach do you use? Cheese Shop for me, please. (haviland at eastlink dot ca)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi, I used two 'regular' sized spinach. 10 ounces each, I believe. :)

      Daryl / Avery

      Delete
  13. Beautiful photo of your mom, and it's comforting to see smudges on recipe cards. I think it shows they've been used and loved! Happy Mother's Day, Daryl!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Cleo, those smudge marks. They make me laugh every time. Definitely well used. :)

      Daryl / Avery

      Delete
  14. A delightful recipe. Yum. Love the photo.Thanks for this great post. saublev(at)gmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  15. This looks fantastic! I love spinach and cheese and the combination of the two looks delicious! I bet this recipe would be great with a bit of parmesan or romano cheese added in!
    Greeneyesredhair@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I would bet it would, too. Or added to the top at the end of cooking so it could crisp up!

      Daryl / Avery

      Delete
  16. This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.

    ReplyDelete
  17. Pat (patdupuy@yahoo.com)May 6, 2015 at 12:18 PM

    I'm going to have to try this recipe, the half portion! I wonder if shredded parmesan would melt adequately. Not that I don't love cheddar. . . I'd love a Cookbook Nook mystery if you eeny meeny miney moe me.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Pat, I would bet Parmesan would be great, or American, or Monterey Jack. Definitely Havarti. :)

      Daryl / Avery

      Delete
  18. Delectable. Spinach is wonderful. What a great combo. elliotbencan(at)hotmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. So glad everyone is enjoying this recipe. it's so comforting!

      Daryl / Avery

      Delete
  19. Wonderful post! I know I will love the spinach casserole...makes me hungry, just to look at it! patucker54 (at aol dot com)

    ReplyDelete
  20. The recipe sounds delicious. I would prefer to win a Cookbook Nook Mystery book. Thanks for the chance. lkish77123 at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You bet. So glad everyone has a choice picked out. :)

      Daryl / Avery

      Delete
    2. Linda, you are one of the winners for the giveaway this week! Congrats. I'll contact you at your email.

      Daryl / Avery

      Delete
  21. This spinach casserole looks delicious. I'd love either book choice but if the recipes are anything like what you've posted here I'd really put the cookbook to good use. robeader53@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  22. I'm drooling over that recipe---why when I'm on a serious diet to I see such good recipes? I'd like to win a cookbook nook book.
    suefarrell.farrell@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Sue, it's not that fattening when you thinking about it. It's quiche without a crust. A super duper omelet? Lots of protein! Enjoy.

      Daryl / Avery

      Delete
  23. Love the combination of spinach and cheese - thanks for the recipe!
    I'd like a Cookbook Nook book.

    jtcgc at yahoo dot com

    ReplyDelete
  24. I'm sure having your parents split up was difficult at the time but how wonderful that your mom had a great social life and modeled a happy single life for you. It's important to be able to be happy on your own even if you find a great partner to share your life. The spinach recipe looks divine and I will be making that this weekend! I agree about the cheese (my hubby says I'm part mouse) and will go with sharp cheddar (Those swiss or feta might be good too!). Thanks for sharing.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Dana, thanks for your lovely sentiment. I have always been an independent woman, even though I am happily married for many many years. It is so important to find that balance.

      Best,
      Daryl / Avery

      Delete
  25. I am the only one in the family that likes spinach so no hand me down spinach recipes from my mom. I think I shall make this when we have a veggie meal. Thanks.
    cookbook book

    gibsonbk at hiwaay dot net

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Too-ra-loo, as Aunt Vera in my series would say. Spinach is so good. They don't understand what they're missing! :)

      Enjoy. ~ Daryl/ Avery

      Delete
  26. We must be on the same wavelength this week, Daryl! I bought more frozen spinach specifically to make a family favorite, Spinach & Artichoke Casserole. And as to old smudged recipe cards ( "all loved up" as a favorite aunt called them) just yesterday I read this article about the very same thing! http://www.nytimes.com/2015/05/06/dining/a-mother-s-cookbook-recipe-cards-share-more-than-recipes.html?smid=fb-nytimes&smtyp=cur&bicmp=AD&bicmlukp=WT.mc_id&bicmst=1409232722000&bicmet=1419773522000&_r=0

    Enjoyed the photo and hearing about your mom. Very nice. If I'm chosen in the giveaway, I'll pick the Cookbook Nook book. Thanks!

    lola777 (at)hotmail(dot)com





    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks, Lynn. I adore artichokes. I have something that's similar to this with artichokes and another with zucchini. I'm sure it's the "quiche/omelet" part of it that makes it all come together, right?

      Thanks for the link, too. :)
      Daryl / Avery

      Delete
    2. Lynn, you won one of the book giveaways today! Congrats. I'll contact you via email.

      Daryl / Avery

      Delete
    3. Lynn, this email is not working for you. Want to check and make sure all the numbers/letters are correct?
      Thanks.
      Daryl

      Delete
    4. Wow, I won! And oops, I didn't do my email correctly, . So sorry!
      It's lola777_22 (at) hotmail (dot) com. I do apologize, Daryl!

      Delete
  27. What a great way to incorporate vegetables in your menu. Thanks for sharing. I choose Cookbook Nook book. Kuzlin at aol.com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Kuzlin, yes, indeed, we need our veggies and this is a great way! I often add veggies to a lunch omelet, too.

      Daryl / Avery

      Delete