Easy holiday 'Talk About Good' recipe, Lafayette in Southern Living 'Tastiest Towns' contest

My mom is stressed from holiday shopping and the usual day-to-day events that happen in December that can interrupt the best-made plans. Knowing I had a vast library of Louisiana cookbooks, she implored me for an easy recipe to make for Christmas dinner on Sunday. She had seen one regarding artichokes and spinach — not a dip, but a casserole for a side dish — but in all the hassle of the holidays lost it.

Here's a quick and easy recipe I found from "Talk About Good!" by the Junior League of Lafayette (Louisiana), one of the best-selling cookbooks of the non-profit world and winner of the Tabasco Community Cookbook Award Hall of Fame. The League has sold more than 750,000 copies of this amazing cookbook to date!

So, don't stress in your last-minute shopping-getting things ready for Sunday. Here's a fabulous gift idea that's inexpensive and easy to obtain (at most Louisiana bookstores and gift shops), plus a recipe to throw together quickly.

And let me add that we eat and cook REALLY well here in Lafayette. That’s why Lafayette was named “Best for Food” in the Rand McNally nationwide Best of the Road contest this year. And now, Lafayette is in the 10 “Tastiest Towns” in the South by Southern Living magazine. In the latter, we want to be chosen No. 1, so please vote daily in the Southern Living poll here. Voting ends Jan. 31, 2012.

Spinach-Artichoke Casserole
From "Talk About Good" by Lafayette Junior League
1 stick butter
2 (10 ounce) packages frozen chopped spinach
1 large can artichokes
1 pint sour cream
1/2 cup finely chopped onion
1/2 cup Parmesan cheese
Salt and pepper
Directions: Cook spinach as directed on box. Drain. Saute onions in butter. Mix all ingredients together and place in casserole. Stir Parmesan cheese into casserole and also sprinkle some on top. Bake in 350 degree oven for 20 or 30 minutes.