Penne Spinaci e Gorgonzola - Pasta with Spinach & Gorgonzola

I just love spinach...not to mention Gorgonzola...one of my favourite from the blue cheese family. It is so delicate and light.  We found this recipe on the net but obviously we gave it our touch. Amanda is not a big fan of spinach and she had two helpings of this :)) So that says it all...it was delicious!! Very easy to prepare. We used baby spinach leaves but if you can use large spinach leaves instead. Makes a great starter or a even a main course...depends on the portion. For a vegetarian version just omit the bacon and add a dash of soy sauce. You will need...

• 300g Penne
• 150g Gorgonzola Dolce, cubed
• 200g Smoked Bacon, cut into small cubes
• 200ml vegetable or chicken stock, hot
• 250g baby spinach leaves or 100g frozen spinach (defrosted)
• 3 tbsp single cream
• 1 onion, finely chopped
• 2 tbsp Vegetable oil
• Ground black pepper

1. Heat the oil in a large frying pan and fry the onion until transparent.
2. Add the bacon and cook for further 5 minutes until the bacon is browned. Add the stock and simmer until the stock has reduced a little.
3. Cook the pasta in lightly salted water.
4. Add the Gorgonzola and stir until partially melted. Throw in the spinach and cover for few seconds until it wilts down. If using frozen spinach make sure it is defrosted and all water squeezed out.
5. Stir the sauce into the spinach slowly and turn off the heat. Add the sauce to the pasta or vice-versa, add the cream and stir well.
6. Serve with loads of ground black pepper!!

Enjoy!!

R&A