Healthy gourmet recipe that doesn't break the bank. Puréed spinach, white asparagus & new potatoes...

Healthy Gourmet Recipe, by Paul Singer (EatinWell)

Created expressly for http://www.alwayssavemoney.ca/ as follow up to the Skype interview for her blog.
Visit her site or follow her on Twitter: http://twitter.com/#!/AlwaysSaveMoney

There are 4 main components to this meal. Feel free to add chicken breast of Great Lakes fish, if desired.

1. Puréed SPINACH

• Fill a 2 quart pot FULL of organic baby spinach, steam for about 2 minutes in 1/4 cup of water, only until it wilts
• Purée spinach & 1/2 clove of garlic in a blender, adding the water from the pot so it becomes like a paste
• In a sauté pan, melt a bit of butter with flour to make a light gold roux, add the blended spinach, and mix evenly on medium heat very briefly

- This will be the central part of the meal. Pour the puree onto the plate as the central element of the meal.

2. STEAMED POTATOES (SKIN ON)

• Steam or boil until they feel tender all the way through with a fork

3. WHITE ASPARAGUS

• Steam or boil until tender

4. STEWED PEARS (for Dessert)

• Peel and core several pears
• Boil in a bit of water, add a cinamon stick or two, adding honey and/or maple syrup to sweeten slightly
• Cool in fridge and serve as a cold compote

Seasonings: light sea salt and pepper only

Cost for Four: $9 Total or $2.25 per person
(when ingredients purchased from farmers' market or ethnic discount grocer)