Spinach Stuffed Chicken Breast

I did the unimaginable this past week and bought the massive bag (could it 5lbs?) of baby spinach from Costco and then had to find one hundred and one ways to eat spinach!  Who are those bags for?  Families are seemingly larger here in the mid west but surely not large enough to eat all that spinach before it went off!  Well, I did my best and I am pleased to say after using a good portion to make Palak Paneer for our Annual Curryfest, then layering it between lasagne, and even hiding it under our  Christmas Roast Beef as creamed spinach which the girls didn't seem to notice... it was gone.  For a simple mid week meal, this easy chicken dish was really tasty and absolutely kid friendly - if they aren't scared of 'green'.  It helps to keep the chicken moist and the use of the bacon wrap is just plain delicious. We ate it with a bunch of steamed vegetables but given the oven is on, you could easily do this with my scallop potato dish http://whatsfordinner-mum.blogspot.com/2012/04/scallop-potatoesthe-perfect-side.html or just regular roasted mixed vegetables.

Makes 2

Ingredients:
2 chicken breast, butterflied

2 cups spinach, wilted (or defrost a packet of spinach)

50g feta
2 tblpsn ricotta (optional)
a shake of nutmeg

salt and pepper

1/3 cup parmesan

1 clove garlic, crushed

4 rashers bacon to wrap

Method:

• Heat a large pan or wok and cook the spinach over medium heat, add salt and cook until wilted.  You many need to add a drop or two of water to aid the wilting process. When cooked, remove from heat and drain all excess water on a paper towel.
• Preheat oven to 400'F
• Using a hand blender, roughly puree the spinach in a tall cup and allow to cool
• In a bowl, mix the spinach, feta, ricotta (if using) and parmesan, seasonings and crushed garlic.
• Slice your chicken breast almost all the way through and open it out.
• Spoon your spinach mixture into the gap and then wrap the bacon around the chicken keeping it in place.  Use a toothpick to secure.

• Spray an oven proof dish with a little olive oil spray and place the chicken in the dish.
• Bake in a preheated oven for 12mins, covered with foil.
• Uncover and let the bacon crisp up, another 3-5mins.
• Serve with your choice of vegetables or salad