A couple of weeks ago I found myself looking at the clock at 5pm with nothing planned for dinner and two little girls starting to act whiny—a sure bet that they were getting hungry. A quick perusal of my refrigerator and pantry saved the evening, producing a couple of bags of spinach, some pearl onions, a block of cream cheese, fresh garlic, chicken stock, and an assortment of dried herbs and spices. While I brought the chicken stock to a simmer, I gave the spinach a quick chop (can I tell you how grateful I am for pre-washed and cut greens?), then dropped it into the stock, along with the pearl onions, garlic, and herbs. After a quick cook, I added the cream cheese. Eaten with some slices of hearty whole wheat pain de campagne, I had dinner on the table in 10 minutes. Even better was the fact that my girls each inhaled multiple bowls of soup. After finishing her first bowl Bug asked, “Mommy, can I have some more salad please?” I was cracking up over that one long past when the last dish had been cleared from the dinner table!
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Salad Soup, aka Creamy Spinach Soup
Makes about 6 to 8 servings
6 cups chicken stock
1 1/2 pounds spinach, roughly chopped
8 ounces peeled pearl onions
5 cloves garlic, minced
2 tablespoons dried Italian herbs
1 tablespoon dried crushed basil
2 teaspoons dried crushed rosemary
2 teaspoons ground ginger
2 teaspoons ground cumin
2 teaspoons crushed chili flakes
2 teaspoons coarse sea salt
8 ounces cream cheese, cut into small pieces
1. Bring the chicken stock to a simmer in a large pot over medium-high heat. Add the chopped spinach, pearl onions, garlic, herbs, crushed chili flakes, and sea salt. Return to a simmer and cook for about 5 minutes.
2. Add the cream cheese, and stir until well combined. Return to a simmer and cook for another minute, then serve.
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even w/o having 2 cute little girls, I still have plenty of desperation dinners. luckily, like yours, they are delicious.
my faves: tuna salad with a bunch of things thrown in, an omelet or shakshuka (eggs poached in tomato sauce).
@Olga @ MangoTomato, OOoh, it’s been ages since I’ve made tuna salad! Sounds like it’s time to make some! And shakshuka sounds DELICIOUS!! Going to have to try that!
Do you think I can make this with frozen spinach? I don’t have any fresh spinach in the fridge, but I do have a bag of frozen spinach and this is looking REALLY good right now.
@Fuji Nana, Yep, I’ve since made it again using frozen spinach and it works just as well!! Thaw the spinach first though, following the directions on the package!
The title of this post is pretty much the story of my life :)
Busy working moms unite! :)
Perfect timing maybe? Just finishing work, exhausted and a 9am appt. I need dinner and I’m desperate. This sounds so much better than my standard of Cheerios or if I’m really ambitious, a fried egg. Won’t you be my mommy?
I think soups are the ultimate desperate dinner ideas! When I run out of ideas I make pasta soup :)
I don’t eat chicken or cheese – but this seems like a great (and easy) recipe to make vegan! ^^ I absolutely love your photos and recipes.
Sounds good to me! I wouldn’t even have to be desperate to eat this.
@Kalyn, Glad I’m in good company! :)
this looks DELICIOUS! i am always looking for ways to use up the copious amounts of spinach i buy.
What a clever idea!
This sounds freaking awesome! Yum!
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