Since we’re on the theme of food to my soul, or pretty much the best comfort food ever, I thought I’d throw one more classic (with a twist) out there for tonight’s results show on American Idol.

All throughout this season of Idol I’ve been guest blogging (or cooking to be exact) for Yahoo! Music’s Lyndsey Parker and her all things reality blog, Reality Rocks. This week’s theme, songs from Whitney Houston and Stevie Wonder, inspired me to cook up some of my very own classic comfort food…food for the soul!

By the way…holy hell Jessica Sanchez…did you really just dominate I will Always Love You last night?? An amazing job and stellar tribute to the late grate Whitney Houston. She blew my mind.

On to the food…

Check out my feature on Reality Rocks HERE!

 

Yields 4 servings

Ingredients

Potatoes

• 4 large yukon gold potatoes, peeled and diced
• 2 tbsp butter
• 1/2 cup 2% milk
• 1/4 cup parmesan cheese, shredded

Spinach

• 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil, divided
• 4oz pancetta, diced
• 1 shallot, diced
• 1/2 red bell pepper, diced
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 (.5oz) large package fresh baby spinach
• salt and pepper

To speed up the cooking process dice the potatoes into small pieces.

In a large sauce pan, cover the potatoes with water and boil until tender when pierced with a fork.

While the potatoes are boiling heat 1 tbsp of oil in a large saucepan over medium high heat. Saute the pancetta until slightly crisp and remove from the pan.

Add the remaining oil and saute the shallot and red bell pepper until tender.

Add the garlic and saute for 30 more seconds. Stir in the spinach and cook down until limp.

Season with salt and pepper.

Drain the potatoes and return to the hot pan. Cook off the access water for around 30 seconds. Add the butter…

Milk

and cheese…

and mash until smooth. Season accordingly.

Place a large scoop of potatoes in a martini glass. Top with the spinach and sprinkle with the pancetta.

Bon Appetit!