Movie-Night Snack - Spinach Strombolis

Movie nights with friends require finger foods and quick snacks which can be served at room temperature. I always like to make Stromboli which are a favorite with many cheese lovers. One ingredient which gives the ultimate taste to spinach Stromboli is Pesto sauce, you can make it at home or get it from a store, my favorite is Trader Joe's Pesto alla Genovese. Here's a recipe that'll make your movie nights sizzle.

Ingredients:

1 can Pillsbury® Pizza Crust or homemade pizza dough
3-4 generous handfuls of baby spinach leaves (or thawed frozen spinach)
1 small clove of garlic, chopped
3/4 cup of grated mozzarella cheese
1 heaped tsp pesto sauce (I used store bought)
1/2 tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
2 tsp Parmesan cheese
Salt and pepper to taste

• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit.
• Put the spinach leaves in a microwave safe bowl and microwave on high for about 5 mins or till the spinach is cooked. The spinach will reduce in quantity and wilt.
• Remove the excess water from spinach and chop it finely.
• Add the finely chopped garlic, the pesto sauce, grated mozzarella cheese, chili flakes, 1 tsp of the parmesan cheese and salt and pepper to taste.
• Open the can and unroll the pre-made pizza dough. If using homemade dough roll out the dough in a rectangular shape.

• Cut the crust vertically down the center to get 2 long pieces
• Spread the filling down the long rectangle, leaving a little bit of a border around the edges
• Roll the crust from the long side to get 2 long logs.

• Press down lightly along the edge to seal well.
• With a sharp knife, make a few slits in the log.
• Sprinkle with the remaining parmesan cheese and again press a little bit to make the cheese adhere to the dough.
• Bake for 12 minutes or till the stromboli is golden brown.
• Cut into pieces of desired size. Serve with marinara sauce for dipping.