Spinach Pierogi Soup

It has been a challenge lately to get Henry to eat any vegetables.  Right now, the only veggie I know he will eat on its own is corn.  This has been really hard for me - I just can't believe that there are entire days where Henry will not have a single veggie.  So, let the creativity begin!

At the end of last week, I bought a giant 2.5 pound bag of fresh spinach.  Seeing as Henry has done pretty well with stews lately, I decided to look for a spinach soup recipe.  Luckily, I came across The Pioneer Woman's Spinach Soup.  My only problem was that I knew I needed something enticing and hearty in the soup so that Henry would try to eat it - a pure liquid was not going to cut it.  And then I found the package of potato & cheddar cheese pierogies in my freezer that I had bought on sale a couple of weeks ago.  I never had pierogi in soup, but thought it could be interesting...

To start, I loved the soup.  My nanny also really enjoyed it, and even asked to take a container home with her.  My nephew (8), liked the spinach soup part, but freaked out over the pierogi (apparently he is not a potato fan). And Henry?  He started out happily eating the soup.  He ate bite after bite.  But then he remembered that he was thirsty for milk, and thus ended meal time.

Spinach Pierogi Soup (adapted from The Pioneer Woman's Spinach Soup with Gruyere)
1.5 tsp olive oil
10 ounces fresh spinach
2 Tbsp unsalted butter
2 cloves garlic, minced
1/2 medium onion, diced small
2 Tbsp flour
4 cups 1% milk
1 cup whole milk
2 tsp salt
pinch cayenne pepper
2 Tbsp pastina
4 potato/cheddar pierogies (I used Mrs. T's brand)
black pepper, to taste

1.  In a large pot, saute spinach in oil until wilted.  Transfer spinach to blender and blend with a bit of warm water until pureed.  Set aside.

2.  In the same pot, melt butter, and saute garlic and onion until translucent.  Add flour and cook 1-2 minutes. Add milks and let simmer until the mixture begins to thicken.  Add salt, cayenne pepper, pastina, pierogies, and pepper.  Then add in pureed spinach.  Let simmer about 5 minutes.  With a spoon break the pierogies up a bit so that the inside can help thicken the soup.  Simmer a few minutes longer, and then enjoy!

Happy and (mostly) healthy eating!