Monday 30 January 2012

Jottage from Lancaster - Spinach, Penne and Cheese Spouffle

Although I had bought some nice whiting to eat tonight, I just couldn't resist making Spinach, Penne and Cheese Spouffle. It took a lot of saucepans - I think I used 3 or 4 in the end, as well as a bowl and numerous ladles, spoons and knives, my electric mixer and a cheese grater. It was one of those things that are described as 'simple' suppers but which take quite a bit of preparation. The recipe in Veg Everyday was for 4 portions so I halved it and somehow the ingredients looked very sparse. Just 37g of cheese, 50g of pasta and 25g each of butter and flour. I couldn't see it ever making anything substantial. Even half a packet of spinach wilted down to a little bit at the bottom of the saucepan. I was convinced that somehow it wouldn't come out to much. 


Optimistically I prepared it and put it all into a nice Laura Ashley oven proof dish and popped it into the oven. After 30 minutes it came out and looked just lovely. It was just a bit brown on the top and creamy and delicious in the middle. And it tasted wonderful. And even though there wasn't much of anything in it, it felt like a good meal. This picture makes it look almost like an omelette but in fact it was quite deep and there was easily enough for 2 of us.


It all took a little longer to make as I was totting up calories as I went along. I reckon this was 430 calories per portion. For such a nourishing and sustaining meal I think that's quite good. This is a recipe that I think I will return to again and again. In the book, Hugh gives an alternative with courgettes and I can't wait to have a go at that.



2 comments:

  1. Hello! I hope you don't mind but I've linked to your blog from my blog...I'm working my way through River Cottage Veg Every Day! trying to cook all the recipes. I'm cooking this on Monday - I hope it's as good as yours!
    If it's a problem being linked to my blog then let me know and I'll remove the link.
    I've enjoyed reading your blog.

    ReplyDelete