Mama-In-Law’s Creamed Spinach

The Husband, who was simply The Kinda-Sorta Boyfriend/Fiancé at that time picked me up at the Raleigh Airport.  It had been months since we’d seen each other.  He left me, smack in the middle of the US of A and returned to his base in Korea four and half months earlier.  He’d been re-stationed to North Carolina and I had a week of vacation.  I packed my bags and headed east to see my love.

Easter was just around the corner, we planned a road trip to New York to spend the holiday with his family and I couldn’t have been more nervous.  We knew we were getting married.  He’d told me months previously, while he twirled me effortlessly on the dance floor of The Brother’s wedding… just a week after we’d met, that he planned on making me his wife.

The hard part was over.  The Kinda-Sort Boyfriend/Fiancé had met The Brother (and The Brother’s shiny sword).  He’d met my entire family, and he still wanted to marry me.

Now it was my turn to face the firing squad.

I was curious about his family, but very, very nervous.  His sister was barely thirteen years old.  I remembered being thirteen, I was my any girl who was interested in my brother’s worst nightmare.  I was the tomboy, firmly planted next to him with every step he took.  He was my world, my best friend… I would thwart any girl’s plans to divert his attention and I didn’t do it peacefully.  What was The Kinda Sorta Boyfriend/Fiancé’s sister going to think of me?  Was she as protective over this man as I was with my brother?  Yes.  She was… but she also adored the idea of having an older sister and I seemed to fit perfectly.

What were his parent’s like?  I. was. terrified.  They were the exact opposite of my parents, I knew this before I even purchased my ticket and made plans.  Although they may be completely opposite of everything I knew growing up, they held many of the same qualities I already knew.  They were amazingly wonderful, warm, welcoming and charming people.

Easter was upon us.  I’d spent weeks searching for the perfect dress and cardigan for Easter.  I just knew these people would think I was an atheist if I showed up in my normal church “uniform” of all black.  I made my way downstairs Easter morning before service and found my (future) mother-in-law waiting with an expectant smile on her face… wearing all black.  Immediately I was at ease, a woman after my own heart…

Easter dinner was delicious, the ham… cooked to perfection by my vegetarian (future) mother-in-law.  The side dishes were incredible, from the sour cream smashed potatoes, the carrots and the incredible dish she called creamed spinach.  I was introduced to many new Easter flavors that day, to include a strange green jell-o salad that I still haven’t forgiven The Husband for scooping onto my plate.

In my mind, the star of the dinner was the creamed spinach.  I’d never even heard of creamed spinach before and my-oh-my, was I smitten.  I actually make creamed spinach a few times a month for just the two of us, it graces every holiday table and… I’ve even been known to cook it while The Husband is away on deployment or training so I can taste a little bit of heavenly comfort.   I grin just thinking about her, knowing that soon… hopefully, she’ll be a part of my every day life.

Creamed Spinach
A Mama-In-Law Recipe

2 packages frozen chopped spinach, thawed and drained
1 tablespoon olive oil
3 cloves garlic, chopped
1/2 an onion, chopped
1/2 cup chicken stock
4 oz cream cheese (I use the 1/3 less fat and it’s great!)
Salt and Pepper, to taste
Freshly grated nutmeg, just a pinch

In a large saucepan, heat the  olive oil over medium heat, cook the onion and garlic until tender and fragrant.  Add drained spinach and chicken stock, season with salt, pepper and nutmeg, stir until the chicken stock is almost evaporated, then add cream cheese, stir until melted.