This recipe was part of the Food Fight: Desperation Dinner Challenge which ended Mar 31, 2008 05:00 PM. See winners »

• 1 pound frozen spinach
• 1 clove garlic
• 4-5 dried porcini or shiitake mushrooms OR 10 sundried tomatoes (dry or in oil) OR a few slices of ham chopped up
• 1 cup heavy cream OR half-n-half OR bechamel
• A little oil or butter
• A pound of dried pasta of any kind, including tortellini
• Some grated cheese, preferably parmesan

1. Saute the garlic and either mushrooms, sundried tomatoes or ham in a little oil, add the frozen spinach and put a lid on it. When the spinach is about half defrosted, add the cream. Let cook gently until spinach is completely defrosted.
2. Meanwhile boil water for the pasta and cook the pasta according to instructions.
3. To serve, either simply mix the sauce with the pasta and serve with grated cheese on the side. You can also mix the two together, put in a pyrex, top with grated cheese and stick under the broiler to melt and brown cheese.