Tuscan Splendor Spinach Braid Recipes

BRAISED SPINACH

Steps:

• Heat the oil in a very large pot over medium heat. Add the onion and garlic, and saute until tender, about 8 minutes. Add 1/3 of the spinach and saute until it begins to wilt, about 1 to 2 minutes. Continue adding the spinach 1 handful at a time, sauteing just until it begins to wilt before adding more. Add the soy sauce and crushed red pepper. Saute over high heat until spinach wilts. Season the mixture, to taste, with salt and black pepper. Transfer the mixture to a bowl and serve.

ITALIAN SPINACH BRAID

Steps:

• Roll dough into a 12x9-in. rectangle. Transfer to a 15x10x1-in. baking pan coated with cooking spray. Cover and let rise in a warm place until doubled, about 1 hour., Meanwhile, in a large skillet, cook beef over medium heat until no longer pink; drain. Transfer to a large bowl; add the spinach, cheeses, garlic, fennel seed, oregano and salt., Spread beef mixture lengthwise down the center of dough. On each long side, cut 1-in.-wide strips 3 in. into center., Starting at one end, fold alternating strips at an angle across filling. Pinch ends to seal. Brush with egg white. Bake at 350° for 20-25 minutes or until golden brown. Serve with pizza sauce if desired.

SAUSAGE, MUSHROOM & SPINACH PIZZA BRAID

Steps:

• Heat oven to 375°F. Spray large cookie sheet with cooking spray, or line with cooking parchment paper.
• In 10-inch nonstick skillet, cook Italian sausage 6 to 8 minutes over medium heat, until no longer pink; drain. Stir in mushrooms; cook 4 to 6 minutes, stirring occasionally, until mushrooms are lightly browned and tender. Stir in spinach leaves; cook until just starting to wilt. Remove from heat; stir in pizza sauce.
• Unroll dough on cookie sheet to 13x8-inch rectangle. Sprinkle 1/2 cup of the cheese in 3 1/2-inch-wide strip lengthwise down center of dough all the way to ends; top cheese with sausage mixture. Sprinkle with remaining 1/2 cup cheese.
• Make cuts 1 inch apart on each side of rectangle just to edge of filling. Alternating from side to side, fold cut strips of dough at an angle halfway across filling, slightly overlapping ends.
• In small microwavable bowl, microwave butter uncovered on High 20 to 30 seconds or until melted; stir in Italian seasoning. Brush butter mixture on top of braided crescent dough.
• Bake 20 to 25 minutes or until deep golden brown. Let stand 5 minutes before serving. Serve with additional pizza sauce, if desired.

TUNA SPINACH BRAID

Steps:

• In a small bowl, combine spinach, tuna, cottage cheese, Parmesan cheese and garlic; set aside., Unroll crescent roll dough onto waxed paper; do not separate dough. Press to seal seams and perforations. Cover with another piece of waxed paper. Roll dough to form a 14x10-in. rectangle., Transfer dough to a greased 15x10x1-in. baking pan, discarding waxed paper. Spread filling down center of dough lengthwise in a 3-1/2-in. strip. Top with mozzarella cheese., On each long side, cut 1-in.-wide strips almost to edge of filling. Starting at 1 end, fold alternating strips at an angle across filling; pinch ends to seal. Combine egg with water and brush over top. Bake at 375° for 18-20 minutes or until golden brown. Serve warm.