Okay here is my little lecture on why restaurants are naughty and why we fall into their trap. Appetizers are lovely. They hit the spot when you are craving something crunchy or salty or cheesy. They also trick us into thinking they are healthy. Let's look at some numbers:
At the Cheesecake Factory I have always enjoyed their Avocado Egg Rolls. I think this would be a smart order because it has avocado and other vegetables in it. One order has 6 pieces and it is suppose to serve 2-4 people. This is not including dipping sauces.
960 calories
1130 mg 49% sodium
At Outback Steakhouse, the Bloomin' Onion is a popular item. People think that it is not too bad because it is an onion, a vegetable, and it was only deep fried for a second. One onion is suppose to serve 6. This is not including dipping sauces.
1948 calories
1440 calories from fat
4085 mg. 170% sodium
The last example goes back to the Cheesecake Factory and their Fire Roasted Fresh Artichoke. Again another vegetable. It is suppose to serve 2-4 people.
1030 calories
760 mg. 34% sodium
Now, I did not do this to make people feel bad or to discourage them to not enjoy one of these amazing appetizers every once in a while. But just to make you be aware. Maybe plan ahead. It takes 5 minutes on your phone to look up a restaurants nutritional facts and they will tell you exactly what each item has in it.
Cool Fact: Mozzarella Sticks are far more better to eat than any of those options above! Who would have thought?!
Now back to my post. I have recreated Spinach Bites or Spinach Rolls, whatever you choose to call them, and tried to cut back on certain ingredients and replace others to try to bring that calorie count down but still keeping their delicious taste because duh...that's why we love them!
Prep time: 20 minutes
Cook time: 20 minutes
Yields: about 8 spinach pies
Ingredients:
1 box Puff Pastry Sheets, thawed
1 package (10 oz) frozen spinach, thawed
4 tbsp. sour cream
1 tsp. minced garlic
1 tsp. lemon pepper
1 cup shredded Pepper Jack cheese
Instructions:
1. Heat a skillet on medium heat. And preheat the oven to 375 degrees.
2. Add the teaspoon of garlic and let cook for about 1-2 minutes in the warm skillet.
3. Then add the thawed spinach and cook for about 3 minutes until all of the spinach is warm.
4. In a bowl combine the sour cream, lemon pepper, and cheese. Then add the spinach mixture.
5. Mix really well.
6. The pastry puff sheets come in long rows so cut each row in half. Sorry I forgot to take a picture. But make sure your pastry puff is completely thawed. It takes about 40 minutes when taken directly from the freezer.
7. Place each square of pastry puff in a cup cake pan. Then place a spoonful of the spinach mixture inside.
8. Place the cupcake pan(s) in the oven at 375 degrees for 20 minutes. Watch so they don't burn but the edges will turn a nice brown color.
