That Spinach Thing

Getting ready for the Super Bowl usually consist of preparing extravagant amounts of food regardless if you are cooking for just yourselves or a large group of friends and family. No matter what who is over enjoying the game, people to decide to use the Super Bowl as an excuse to make large quantities of food from delectable appetizers to very rich of desserts. Any excuse to make food is a good excuse for me.

There are many things I enjoy eating, for I’m no picky eater. But despite my lack of love for certain “greens”, one thing that I extremely enjoy is spinach and cheese -preferably with a Swiss or Provolone-rolled or stuff in a sort of pastry. I’ve heard called spinach Swiss roll but I call it “that spinach thing” and my father instantly knows what I am talking about. When my father told me he was thinking about making this “spinach Swiss roll” I was overjoyed on the inside, with my mouth already beginning to water. Instantly I started craving and mentally began the countdown to the Super Bowl. I woke up with anticipation on game day but with kickoff still hours away it became a waiting game.

“It is time!” echoed through my head when I saw my father beginning to prep my beloved “that spinach thing”. I stroll over and just sit and watch my father and step mother prepare it.

 My step mother begins to sauté peppers and onions with a tablespoon or so of garlic added to it, seasoned with some salt and pepper. I have had it without the pepper and onions but I do not prefer it that way. My father gets the pastry dough ready to flour…gives it a little egg wash adds the rest of our fixings, and then pops it into the oven until it becomes nice and brown.

When my father took it out of the oven, the aroma of the sweet onions and peppers and the fresh baked pastry filled the kitchen. I didn’t even let it cool I wanted this so bad. I dove right into “that spinach thing” stuffing my face and not caring if I burnt the roof of my mouth or not. My taste buds were satisfied instantly. The pastry was cooked just under perfection; nicely flaky with a subtle aftertaste of eggs.  Following the taste of the pastry, came the combination of fresh spinach, Swiss cheese, and the sautéed peppers and onions. You got all the flavors in every bite and everything was balanced seamlessly, from the flakiness of the pastry to the fresh spinach covered with Swiss cheese - which left the long strands of cheese from your mouth to your hand -and then lastly to the peppers and onions that brought it all together.

I enjoy this dish so much mainly due to the simplicity of it and how fantastic it tastes. This can be made for any type of party or occasion and be a big crowd pleaser for your visitors. I encourage everyone to go out and make this or have someone make it for you, either way, you need to try it. Who knows, you may like it.