Cannelloni Stuffed With Spinach And Cheese

1. If you are using frozen spinach, thaw and boil in a saucepan over a high heat for 2 minutes, stirring all the time.

2. Turn the spinach into a fine sieve and press it with the back of a spoon to extract any remaining liquid. If you are using fresh spinach, wash it thoroughly, discarding any discoloured leaves or tough stalks, and then chop roughly.

3. Put the wet spinach in a pan and cover. Cook for 2 - 3 minutes until the leaves wilt, and drain well.

4. Transfer the spinach to a bowl, add the curd cheese and nutmeg, and season to taste. Beat well to mix. Divide the spinach and cheese mixture equally between the cannelloni tubes and spoon it in.

5. Put the chopped tomatoes into the saucepan. Finely chop the garlic and herbs and add to the tomatoes with the optional wine, and season to taste. Bring to the boil, stirring to break up the tomatoes as much as possible.

6. Pour enough of the tomatoes into a 12 x 9in (300 x 230mm) baking dish to cover the bottom. Lay the cannelloni tubes in the dish, side by side in a single layer, so that they form two rows of tubes that fit snugly together. Pour over the remaining tomato mixture.

7. Grate the Parmesan and sprinkle evenly over the cannelloni. Bake for 20-25 minutes, until bubbling. Serve straight from the dish.