Blue Cheese Mashed Potatoes Florentine

A bed of spinach and a sprinkling of cheese delivers an old favorite from the doldrums.

Recipe Ingredients:

8 ounces fresh baby spinach
4 bacon slices, chopped
2 shallots, minced
1 (22-ounce) package frozen unseasoned mashed potatoes, or 4 cups homemade
2 1/3 cups milk
1/4 cup butter or margarine
8 ounces crumbled blue cheese - divided use

Cooking Directions:

1. Remove large stems from spinach.
2. Sauté bacon in a large skillet over medium-high heat until crisp; remove and drain bacon, reserving drippings in skillet. Add shallots to skillet, and sauté until tender; remove from skillet. Add spinach, and sauté 4 to 5 minutes or until wilted. Set aside.
3. Combine mashed potatoes, milk, and butter in a 2-quart microwave-safe bowl. Microwave at HIGH 15 minutes, stirring once. Let stand 2 minutes. Stir in bacon, shallots, and half of crumbled blue cheese.
4. Arrange spinach around edges of a serving plate. Spoon potatoes in center, and sprinkle with remaining blue cheese.

Makes 4 to 6 servings.