Bariatric Creamed Spinach

I created this recipe with low fat ricotta cheese in lieu of traditional butter and cream.

Ricotta cheese is a great ingredient for people who have had bariatric surgery because it is incredibly high in protein, and is also creamy and delicious.

Parmesan cheese can be added for extra flavor, and since it only contains 20 calories and 1 gram of protein per tablespoon, it is certainly bariatric and weight loss friendly. This dish can be eaten as a main dish, a side or can be turned into a dip. Depending on how you tolerate eating vegetables and your stage of recovery, you may wish to puree before eating.

Ingredients:

2 cups white onion (2 small or 1 large) chopped

1 tbsp olive oil

1 cup low fat ricotta cheese

½ cup low fat or fat free milk

1 bag organic frozen spinach

1/4 tsp nutmeg

Salt and pepper

Parmesan cheese (optional)

Directions

Heat olive oil in pan over medium-high heat. Sauté chopped white onions until translucent (about 8 minutes). Add ricotta cheese; stir until warm and soft. Mix in milk, salt, pepper and nutmeg; allow mixture to cook until it bubbles. Add in frozen spinach. Continue to stir all together until heated through.

As a spinach dip- place creamed spinach in an oven safe dish, top with 1/4 cup of parmesan and cook under the broiler until cheese is browned.