Fresh hot spinach cheese pinwheels to warm you

Rushing in from the first leg of my annual sailing trip I was anxious for a homecooked meal, but I hadn't had the time to go to the grocery for supplies.

I knew I wanted something simple, yet healthy...and, frankly, something that didn't include beans. I love beans, but when your diet is based on canned foods while you're under sail, you begin to crave fresh vegetables and soft bread.

So I made a lunch of peanut butter and dried cherries and, properly nourished, headed out to the market for the makings of a heartier dinner.

Back with my bags stuffed with veggies, cheeses and grains, I set about making dinner.

Rice, flavored with fragrant herbs was steaming away on the back burner while I chopped fresh spinach, green onions and garlic. While I love my little propane stove that I haul up into the cockpit aboard River Rat, I missed the oven and the way the house fills with the mingling flavors while a meal is coming together.

I wanted to be quick with the meal. There's a lot to do to wrap up the first part of the trip and provisioning and other preparations to prepare for the second trip, though I'm not sure when that will be due to some circumstances that are just beyond our control.

That's OK with me, though, I like to keep our options open.

So, a few shortcuts later, dinner was ready and all was well.

Spinach Cheese Pinwheels

1/2 package (1 sheet) puff pastry dough

2 cups fresh spinach, chopped

1 teaspoon olive oil

3 cloves garlic, minced

3 green onions, chopped fine

salt and pepper to taste

dash freshly grated nutmeg

1 cup grated Pepper Jack (or just plain Jack, if you like a milder flavor)

1 egg, slightly beaten with a few drops of water

1/4 cup Parmesan Cheese

• Saute garlic and green onions in oil on medium heat. Turn the heat up to medium high.
• Add spinach and cook for 30 seconds or until it just begins to wilt.
• Remove from the heat and grate in the nutmeg. Set aside.
• Mix the egg and Jack cheese and stir in the spinach mixture.
• Spread the mixture on the puff pastry, leaving a small margin around the edge. Sprinkle the Parmesan over the filling.
• Roll up the dough from the wide side and put on a greased pan. Brush the top with a bit of milk.
• Bake at 400 degrees for 15 minutes or until it is golden brown.
• Slice into one inch rounds.

Vegetarian.