Recipe: Microwave Stuffed Onions Florentine (with sausage and cheddar) (serves 2)

MICROWAVE STUFFED ONIONS FLORENTINE

2 large Vidalia (or other sweet) onions
1 (10 oz.) pkg. frozen chopped spinach
1/4 lb. bulk pork sausage
1/3 cup shredded cheddar cheese
1/4 tsp. salt
dash pepper
dash ground nutmeg
1/4 cup hot water

Make onion shells by cutting each onion in half lengthwise. With a small knife, loosen the center of each half to make a 1/2-inch thick shell. Remove the center of each half and chop finely. Set aside 1 Tbsp. of chopped onion; refrigerate or freeze the remainder for other uses.

Remove spinach from package and place in a bowl. Microwave on High for 4-5 minutes, then let stand for about 10 minutes. Press to remove excess moisture (hint: I use a collapsible veggie steamer to squeeze the moisture out of cooked spinach). Set aside.

In a 1 quart casserole, combine 1 Tbsp. chopped onion with sausage. Microwave on High 1-1/2 to 2 minutes, or until sausage is no longer pink, stirring once or twice. Drain fat.

Stir in the spinach, cheese, salt, pepper, and nutmeg into the sausage. Set aside.

Arrange onion shells in a 9-inch round glass baking dish. Pour hot water around the onions and cover the dish with plastic wrap. Microwave on High for 5 minutes.

Spoon an equal amount of the sausage-spinach mixture into each onion shell. Cover again and Microwave on High 7-8 minutes, or until onions are very tender. Let stand 3-5 minutes before serving.

Source: Jill McQuown/rec.food.cooking/2000