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May 25, 2012
Mark Clayton: Is Hillary's State Dept. hacking Al Qaeda? Not quite
Erika Bolstad: Temple cancels Wasserman Schultz speech
The Kosher Gourmet by Ethel G. Hofman: The former president of the International Association of Culinary Professionals, whose members included the likes of Julia Child, is back with contemporary Shavous cuisine: Ruby Fruit Soup, Sweet Noodle Kugel with Cheese, Key Lime Curd, Calsone Casserole Frittata with Wild Mushrooms, Sun-dried tomatoes and Olives, Baked Tilapia with Pepper Cheese Cream and Brown Sugar Shortbread
May 24, 2012
Jeff Jacoby: The peace process battered Israel's reputation
Michael Muskal: 'Pro-choice' position hits record low, according to poll
Chris Farrell: Are We in a Tech Bubble?
The Kosher Gourmet by Penelope Wall: PHILLY CHEESE STEAKS --- hold the steak!
May 23, 2012
Tony Pugh: More private colleges offering tuition discounts
Mary Beth Franklin: How to Choose the Right Annuity for You
Tina Susman: The wig wasn't enough: Man gets 13 years for posing as his dead mom
The Kosher Gourmet by Emma Christensen:A simple way to do fish right
May 22, 2012
Warren Richey: Can US group challenge overseas surveillance act? Supreme Court to decide
Thomas M. Anderson: Walking Away From a Mortgage
The Kosher Gourmet by Megan Gordon: Enjoy a celebration of the most rich and layered flavors: Black bean, sweet potato and quinoa chili
May 21, 2012
Mark Clayton: Cybersecurity: How US utilities passed up chance to protect their networks
Howard LaFranchi: NATO summit: Who will foot the bill for long-term Afghanistan security?
Chris Farrell : Earn Dividends in Emerging Markets with This WisdomTree ETF
Stephen Whiteside, Ph.D. : Mayo Clinic Medical Edge: Social anxiety disorder --- or just shy?
Guy Jackson : Victim's father regrets death of Lockerbie bomber
The Kosher Gourmet by Mario Batali: Famed chef's veal shoulder farsumagru: A festive meat course for late spring
May 18, 2012
Rabbi Berel Wein: Striving: The People of the Book's Book for (All of) the People
Steven Goldberg: 5 Great Stock Picks and the Exchange-Traded Fund that Owns Them
Mary Pickett, M.D.: Ask the Harvard Experts: Don't be forced into gluten-free lifestyle based merely on a doctor's false-positive test
The Kosher Gourmet by Carolyn Malcoun: DIY healthy lunchbox treats: HOMEMADE FRUIT BARS for kids and brown-bagging adults alike
May 17, 2012
Warren Richey: Teacher fired for being unwed and pregnant can sue religious school, court rules
Josh Mitnick: Netanyahu's 'centrist' coalition is already proving it's anything but
Steven Goldberg: Earn Dividends in Emerging Markets with This WisdomTree ETF
Amina Khan: Research links coffee to lower death rates
The Kosher Gourmet by Faith Duran : Cheesy Potato Breakfast Casserole with Cheddar and Sun-Dried Tomatoes
May 16, 2012
Carmen Terzic, M.D., Ph.D. : Mayo Clinic Medical Edge: A variety of exercises can help improve balance
Melissa Healy: National strategy on Alzheimer's disease aims to halt it by 2025
The Kosher Gourmet by Joyce White : GOODNESS GRACIOUS: GREENS! 4 winning recipes that are no longer just for down-home folks (Includes expert tips & techniques)
May 15, 2012
Kristen Chick: Obama administration resumes arms sales to Bahrain despite serious unresolved human rights issues. Activists feel abandoned
Pat Mertz Esswein: Homes are now affordable again and mortgage rates are low. What you need to know before you buy
Kathy Kristof: Our Practical Investor Fights Inflation with These 6 Investments
Sue Hubbard, M.D.: The Kid's Doctor: Lactose intolerant young child? Check again
The Kosher Gourmet by Kathy Hunt: Spread a Little Excitement with EXOTIC CONDIMENTS (4 RECIPES)
May 14, 2012
Lisa Gerstner: How to Protect Your Identity, Finances If You Lose Your Phone
Harvard Health Letters: Heart disease and dementia
The Kosher Gourmet by Megan Gordon: MANGO COCONUT OAT MORNING MUFFINS are a bright but hearty delight
May 11, 2012
Jessica L. Anderson: Get the Best Deal on a Used Car
Jett Stone: Forget face-lifts and fake knees. Scientists have seen the fountain of youth --- and it's broccoli
The Kosher Gourmet by Chef Mario Batali: The famed chef's vegetable dish that tastes true to the season: FAVAS AND SUGAR SNAP PEAS WITH POTATOES AND TARRAGON
May 10, 2012
Sergei L. Loiko: Putin sends warning to U.S., NATO in Victory Day speech at Red Square
Mary Rourke: How being a 'mentch' got Vidal Sasoon his start and fighting in Israel's War of Independence provided him with confidence and a strong sense of his own identity
Jeff Bertolucci: Get Home Phone Service for Less Than $10 a Month
The Kosher Gourmet by Betty Rosbottom: Gleaming with its golden, crimson, and snowy white hues, this silken smooth and creamy STRAWBERRY ORANGE TRIFLE looks impressive, but is easy to prepare
May 9, 2012
Sharon Palmer, R.D. How you can reduce your risk -- or delay -- chronic diseases associated with aging
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Jewish World Review
Spanakopita is a golden pie that manages to be healthy yet still taste indulgent
By
Emma Christensen
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http://www.JewishWorldReview.com |
Being told to "eat your greens" suddenly doesn't sound so bad when you mix those greens with feta cheese, top them with a crust of golden pastry, and call it spanakopita. Is this cheating? I don't think so, especially when a few easy tweaks keep this dish on the healthy side while still tasting indulgent.
The hero of good spanakopita is, naturally, spinach -- a healthy, vitamin-dense green if there ever was one. Go for glory here with a full two pounds of cooked spinach. And make things easy on yourself by buying bags of frozen spinach. This spinach is just as tasty as freshly blanched greens in the finished dish but involves much less fuss.
Feta is also key to spanakopita's success at the dinner table. I like to use just enough so that there's a hit of tangy flavor in every bite but not so much that it outshines the deep, savory character of the spinach. To lighten the texture of the pie and give it some guilt-free richness, I add cottage cheese. This is not traditional, to be sure, but it does the job.
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Finally, the pastry. For an average weeknight meal, I've started making this as a casserole with a top and bottom crust instead of the more-familiar individual triangles. You still get the satisfaction of crunching into a bit of pastry with every bite, just not so much of it. Substituting heart-healthy olive oil for the butter in the pastry layers is another easy switch.
It's not cheating to make greens taste good. Far from it. That's the whole point.
A LIGHTER SPINACH PIE
Serves: 8
- 2 pounds frozen chopped spinach
- 16 sheets frozen phyllo pastry dough
- 1 cup cottage cheese
- 1 onion, diced small
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 4 ounces feta cheese, crumbled
- Juice from 1/2 lemon
- 1 teaspoon nutmeg
- 1/2 teaspoon salt, divided
- 2 large eggs
- 3/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
Do ahead: Thaw the spinach and the phyllo dough in the refrigerator overnight.
Place the cottage cheese in a strainer over a small bowl and let it drain for 20-25 minutes, stirring occasionally. Meanwhile, heat a teaspoon of oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Cook the onion with 1/4 teaspoon of salt until golden brown, 5-7 minutes. Add the garlic and cook until fragrant, another 30 seconds. Remove from heat.
In a clean dishtowel or several layers of paper towels, squeeze as much liquid as you can out of the spinach. This is easiest if done in a few small batches. Mix together the pressed spinach, drained cottage cheese, cooked onions, feta, lemon juice, nutmeg, and remaining 1/4 teaspoon of salt. Taste and add more salt or lemon as needed until it tastes good to you. Whisk together the eggs and stir them into the spinach mixture.
Remove the phyllo dough from the refrigerator and unroll it near your workspace. If necessary, cut the pastry to 9- by 13-inch rectangles. Keep the pastry covered with a damp dishcloth at all times to prevent the thin sheets from drying out.
Brush the bottom of a 9- by 13-inch casserole dish with olive oil. Lay one sheet of phyllo on the bottom and brush it with olive oil. Continue layering seven more sheets of phyllo, brushing each with olive oil. Spread the spinach mixture evenly over the pastry. Layer eight more sheets of phyllo over the spinach, giving the top layer a final brush of olive oil. Lightly score the top layer of phyllo into eight squares with a paring knife. (This makes the pie easier to slice after baking.)
Bake for 35-40 minutes, until the pie is golden-brown and the top layers of phyllo are crisp. Allow the pie to cool for at least 15 minutes before serving. Leftovers will lose their crispiness but still be good. Keep them refrigerated in an airtight container for up to a week.
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© 2012, Emma Christensen. . Distributed by Tribune Media Services Inc.
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