Soup Saves Christmas

There's shopping to do, gifts to make and wrap, carols to be sung, cookies to bake, a tree to decorate, plus parties, parades, and concerts to attend. 

And don't forget you'll need time to visit Santa, sew costumes for the Christmas pageant, and come up with thoughtful gifts for teachers, garbage men, mail deliverers, and hostesses. 

Where will you ever find time to make a potluck dish for the Garden Club Christmas Party that will make all the guests ooh and aah, and beg you for your recipe?

Canned soup to the rescue!

CHICKEN FLORENTINE*

Makes 8 servings (more with additional ingredients)

Cooking spray

2 packages (10 ounces each) frozen chopped spinach, thawed, drained and squeezed dry 

4 cups of cooked and chopped chicken breast 

(Optional additional ingredients - ½ can of quartered artichoke hearts, 

sautéed leeks with the specified wine used to deglaze the pan, 

 a cup of small roasted and frozen summer tomatoes. 

Any of these can be added to the pan or folded into the mix.) 

1 can (10 3/4 ounces) reduced-fat, reduced-sodium cream of mushroom soup, undiluted

1 can (10 3/4 ounces) reduced-fat, reduced-sodium cream of chicken soup, undiluted

1/2 cup light mayonnaise

1/2 cup light or fat free sour cream 

1 cup grated sharp cheddar cheese 

2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice

1 teaspoon curry powder

1/3 cup dry white wine

1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese

 ¼ - ½ cup purchased breadcrumbs

Salt and pepper to taste

 Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Lightly coat 8 x 8 inch casserole dish with cooking spray. 

(9 x 13 inch with added ingredients)

To assemble: layer spinach and chicken. 

In medium bowl, whisk together soups, mayonnaise, sour cream, cheddar cheese, lemon juice,

 curry powder, wine and salt and pepper to taste. 

Pour mixture over spinach and chicken. Sprinkle with bread crumbs and Parmesan cheese. 

 Bake uncovered for 30 minutes or until bubbly. 

* This is a lightened up version of a classic recipe. To go even lighter, or at least additive-free make a nice white sauce to use as a substitute for the canned soups.  But be advised that without the time saving use of convenience food products you may have to cross something else off  your to-do list. Yes, something's gotta give so don't get your hopes up for making it to Taste of Tilden this year.