Bechamel Creamed Spinach Food

CLASSIC CREAMED SPINACH

Steps:

• Blanch the spinach. Bring 1 gallon water to a boil in a large pot. Add a pinch of kosher salt. Place the spinach in the boiling water. After 45 seconds (exactly), remove the spinach leaves with a slotted spoon, spider or tongs and drain in a colander. Let cool completely.
• Use your hands to press the spinach against the sides of the colander. When most of the liquid has been released, squeeze handfuls of the spinach to make sure all of the excess water has been removed. Set aside.
• In a wide, high-sided saute pan, melt the butter over medium-low heat. With a wooden spoon, stir the flour into the melted butter to create a roux that will look like wet sand. Cook the roux for 3 minutes, stirring continuously to make sure it doesn't burn and it becomes a "blond" color. Add the milk to the roux, whisking vigorously to make sure that the roux completely dissolves into the milk without lumping.
• Turn down the heat to maintain a low simmer. You're making a bechamel sauce, which is the base for the creamed spinach. Next, whisk in the cream and return the mixture to a simmer. Cook the bechamel until thickened and smooth, about 5 minutes, stirring often. Season the sauce with the salt, pepper and cayenne.
• Preheat a small saute pan over medium-high heat. Add the oil and let heat for about 1 minute. Add the onions and season with a pinch of salt. Cook until the onions soften and become translucent, 2 to 3 minutes. Stir in the garlic and cook an additional minute or two.
• Add the cooked onion and garlic along with the drained spinach to the bechamel, folding to make sure it's completely coated with sauce. Season with the nutmeg. Cook for 2 minutes, then taste the spinach. Adjust the seasoning with more salt and the nutmeg, and/or more cayenne if desired.

CREAMED SPINACH

Steps:

• If bulk spinach is used, pick it over to remove and discard any tough stems and blemished leaves. Rinse the spinach thoroughly and shake off excess water. There should be about 2 pounds cleaned weight, or 16 cups.
• Bring enough water to a boil to cover the spinach when it is added and stirred down. Add spinach and cook 2 minutes and drain. Run under cold running water until chilled. Empty the spinach into a deep colander and press to extract most of the water.
• Put the spinach into the container of a food processor or an electric blender and blend thoroughly. There should be about 1 3/4 cups.
• Melt the butter in a saucepan and add the flour, stirring with a wire whisk. Add the milk, stirring rapidly with the whisk. Add nutmeg, salt and pepper to taste. Cook, stirring, about 5 minutes and add the spinach. Stir to blend. Heat and serve.

CREAMED SPINACH

Steps:

• Heat 25g butter in a saucepan, then add 1 finely chopped small onion and cook for 5 mins until softened.
• Stir in 2 tbsp plain flour and cook for 2 mins, then slowly start to whisk in 200ml full-fat milk. When it has all been incorporated, gently cook for 5 mins until the sauce has thickened.
• Meanwhile, place two 200g bags spinach in a large colander. Pour over a kettle full of boiling water until the leaves have wilted (you may have to do this twice).
• Place the spinach in a clean dishcloth, squeeze out any excess liquid, then roughly chop.
• Stir into the sauce with 100ml single cream, gently heat, then finely grate over some fresh nutmeg and season well.

THE FOOD LAB'S CREAMED SPINACH RECIPE

Steps:

• Melt butter in a Dutch oven or large saucepan over medium-high heat. Add shallots and garlic and cook, stirring, until softened, about 2 minutes. Add spinach in 4 batches, turning each batch with tongs or a rubber spatula and allowing it to wilt before adding the next.
• Add flour and cook, stirring constantly, until no dry flour remains. Slowly stir in heavy cream and milk. Bring to a simmer, stirring, then reduce the heat to the lowest possible setting and cook, stirring occasionally, until the spinach is completely softened and the sauce has thickened, about 1 1/2 hours.
• Stir in nutmeg and crème fraîche and season to taste with salt and pepper. Remove from the heat.
• If desired, preheat the broiler to high. Transfer creamed spinach to a 1-quart oval or round casserole dish and top it with the cheese. Broil until spinach is bubbly and cheese has formed a well-browned crust, about 2 minutes. Serve.

CREAMED SPINACH WITH BACON AND BECHAMEL SAUCE

Steps:

• Cut off the thick stems of the spinach and discard. Clean the spinach by filling up your sink with water and soaking the spinach to loosen any sand or dirt. Drain the spinach and then repeat soaking and draining.
• Blanch the spinach in a pot of boiling water until the spinach is wilted, about 1-2 minute Drain and rinse in cold water to stop the spinach from cooking further. Squeeze to remove all the moisture possible. Chop and set aside.
• Heat a large skillet on med. high. Add the chopped bacon and sauté until the bacon begins to render some fat. Add the chopped onion and garlic. Sauté until onions are translucent.
• Make the béchamel sauce. Melt butter in a small saucepan on med/low heat until it just starts to bubble. Add the flour and cook, stirring until smooth, about 2 minute Slowly add the milk, whisking continuously, cooking until thick.
• Combine spinach, bacon and onion mix, and béchamel sauce into one pan. Add nutmeg, salt and pepper to taste. Bring to a simmer, remove from heat and serve.

BEST HEALTHY CREAMED SPINACH

Steps:

• COOK SPINACH: Cook frozen spinach in microwave as per package instructions. I add a teaspoon of water and microwave it, covered, for 3 1/2 minutes on High. Drain in strainer, squeezing out as much moisture as possible. It's ok if a little bit remains. Note 1 for using fresh spinach.
• MAKE CREAM SAUCE: Heat butter and/or oil on medium heat in a medium saucepan. Add onions and sauté gently for 3 minutes. Add garlic and sauté another 30 seconds. Mix in flour to make a roux. Stir for 2 minutes until it turns pale brown. Don't let it get dark. Add any combination of milk and cream that you like to equal 1 1/2 cups/354 ml. I generally use mostly fat free or 2% milk and about 1/4 cup half and half (10%) cream. Stir until thickened, about 5 minutes. Add salt, black pepper and nutmeg (if using) to your taste.
• COMBINE: Stir in cooked well-squeezed-out chopped spinach. Add Parmesan cheese if using. If mixture is too thick, add more milk until desired consistency is reached. Taste and adjust seasonings. Serve immediately. Note 3 to make ahead.

WHITE SAUCE WITH SPINACH

Steps:

• Measure flour into saucepan. Slowly whisk in milk to avoid lumps.
• Cook over medium-high heat until thick and bubbly, making sure you stir constantly. Reduce heat to low-medium.
• Stir in the garlic powder, nutmeg and parmesan. Simmer 1-2 minutes.
• Remove from heat and stir in the spinach. (If you are using for pasta sauce, you may have to warm up the sauce).

BECHAMEL CREAMED SPINACH

Steps:

• In a small saucepan, melt the butter, add flour, and cook, stirring, until it turns a light golden color.
• Remove from heat, then mix in the broth and half-and-half.
• Return to heat and bring to a boil, stirring, until thickened.
• Season to taste with salt and nutmeg.
• Wash the spinach well, drain slightly, place in a 5- to 6-quart pan over low heat, cover, and cook in the water that clings to leaves until wilted (3-4 minutes), stirring occasionally.
• Drain well and chop.
• Combine spinach and bechamel sauce and serve.
• Makes 4 servings.
• Note: recipe has been revised since the "not enough sauce" review, reducing the amount of spinach by half.

CREAMED SPINACH

Steps:

• Melt 1 stick of butter in a pot. Sprinkle in flour and whisk together. Cook over medium heat for five minutes or until light golden brown. Throw in onion and garlic and stir together, cooking for another minute. Pour in milk, whisking constantly, and cook for another five minutes while you cook the spinach.
• To cook spinach, melt 3 tablespoons butter in a separate pot. Add spinach in increments until all incorporated, and cook until wilted but not soggy, about 4 to 5 minutes.
• Season the cream sauce with salt, pepper, and nutmeg. Add spinach to the cream sauce, stirring gently to combine. Serve immediately.

PESTO LASAGNE

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 180˚C / 381˚F
• Lightly grease a 26cm x 18cm (10" x 7") baking dish

CREAMY SPINACH WITH SMOKED GOUDA GRATIN

Steps:

• PREPARE SMOKED GOUDA BECHAMEL:.
• In a medium saucepan, melt the butter or margarine; add the flour and whisk over moderately high heat for 30 seconds.
• Add the milk and bring to a boil, whisking constantly.
• Cook over moderate heat, whisking constantly, until thickened, 4 to 5 minutes.
• Add the cream, smoked Gouda, paprika (if using)and nutmeg and whisk just until the cheese is melted, about 2 minutes.
• Season with salt & pepper.
• Use right away or cover directly with plastic wrap and refrigerate.
• PREPARE THE SPINACH:.
• Preheat the broiler and position a rack 10 inches from the heat.
• In a large soup pot, bring 1/4 inch of water to a boil.
• Add the spinach and cook over high heat, tossing with long tongs, until completely wilted, about 3 minutes.
• Transfer the spinach to a colander and drain, pressing out as much liquid as possible add a squeeze of lemon; put into kitchen towels and press the water out.
• In a medium, ovenproof skillet, heat the olive oil and pinch of crushed red pepper flakes(if using); add the onion and cook over high heat, stirring, until softened, about 3 minutes.
• Add the wilted spinach and cook, stirring, for 1 minute.
• Add the Smoked Gouda Béchamel and cook over moderate heat, stirring, until bubbling, about 1 minute.
• Season with salt and pepper.
• Sprinkle the spinach with the bread crumbs and shredded Gouda and broil for 2 minutes, until golden and bubbling.
• Serve hot.

CREAMED SPINACH DELUXE

Steps:

• Bring 1/4 cup water to boil in large pot. Add half of spinach to pot; toss until wilted but still bright green, about 3 minutes. Add remaining spinach and toss until just wilted. Transfer spinach to strainer set over large bowl. Press on spinach to release all liquid. Transfer spinach to work surface; coarsely chop. (Can be prepared 1 day ahead. Cover and refrigerate.)
• Melt butter in heavy medium saucepan over medium heat. Add onion, bay leaf, dried chile, and peppercorns; sauté until onion is soft but not brown, about 3 minutes. Whisk in flour and salt. Cook until mixture is pale gold and has nutty aroma, whisking constantly, about 3 minutes. Gradually whisk in milk. Boil until thick, stirring constantly, about 2 minutes. Strain béchamel sauce into medium bowl.
• Heat cream in heavy medium saucepan over medium heat until just simmering. Add béchamel; whisk until mixture is smooth and begins to simmer. Add spinach and stir until heated through. Season to taste with salt and pepper.

CREAMY MUSHROOM SPINACH STUFFED MANACOTTI

Steps:

• Prepare your tomato sauce and bechamel (white sauce) up to 5 days ahead of time and store in air tight containers in the fridge.The bechamel will become firm and you will need to microwave it for a few minutes to get it back to a creamy consistency.
• Make the Bechamel Sauce (can be made days in advance and stored in fridge): In a medium saucepan on low medium heat melt the butter. Whisk in the flour until well combined with butter. Keep whisking for about 2 to 3 minutes. Add the rest of ingredients: milk, nutmeg and salt and whisk everything together. Cook for another 10 minutes and keep whisking as it gets thicker. You will know it is ready when it sticks to the back of the spoon. Turn off heat and set aside.*
• Preheat oven to 350 F
• In a medium skillet heat olive oil and sauté onions until translucent, about 5 minutes, then add mushrooms and cook another 10 minutes. Add spinach. Saute spinach another 2 minutes until heated through and season with salt.
• In a medium bowl, mix 3/4 of the bechamel (that you made ahead of time) with the cooked mushroom and spinach mixture. This is your filling. Reserve 1/4 of the bechamel for later.
• Get out your prepared tomato sauce. Spread half the tomato sauce in an even single layer in the bottom of a 13" by 9" by 2" (inch) baking dish. Sprinkle half of the grated parmigiano across the tomato sauce.
• Transfer filling to a piping bag (a gallon Ziploc baggy works well too).
• Cut the tip off your piping bag about the width of the manicotti noodles. You can also fill the shells by using a long spoon. Fill each noodle with filling. Nestle filled manicotti into the baking dish in a single layer. The manicotti may be very close together. Then pour the remaining sauce in an even layer on top of the uncooked manicotti shells.
• Top manicotti with the remaining bechamel sauce and shredded mozzarella. Cover pan tightly with foil and bake for about 50 minutes or until the noodles are just about cooked through. Remove foil and bake for another 5-10 minutes or until the noodles are al dente.
• Let rest for about 10 minutes before serving. Garnish with fresh chopped parsley and grated parmigiano cheese and enjoy!

SPINACH AND BECHAMEL GRATIN

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 375°F. Light butter 8-inch or 9-inch glass pie dish. Squeeze spinach very dry. Melt 3 tablespoons butter in heavy medium skillet over medium-high heat. Add spinach and sauté 3 minutes. Season with salt and pepper. Spread spinach evenly in prepared pie dish.
• Melt remaining 2 tablespoons butter in heavy medium saucepan over medium heat. Add flour and whisk 2 minutes; do not let mixture brown. Gradually add cream, then milk, whisking until mixture is smooth. Cook until sauce is thick, whisking frequently, about 6 minutes. Add nutmeg and cloves. Season with salt and pepper.
• Spoon sauce over spinach. Sprinkle cheese over. Bake until cheese is golden and sauce bubbles, about 15 minutes.

AGA'S CREAMED SPINACH WITH BECHAMEL SAUCE

Steps:

• Pre heat oven 350.
• In a saute pan, melt butter and olive oil.
• Add onions and saute on medium heat until translucent and tender.
• In a small pot, scald milk with bay leaf and peppercorns on low heat.
• In a small pan, heat flour on medium heat for approximately 15 mins, whisk frequently until flour texture is soft and silky (this step, cuts the flour after taste).
• Once the onions are clear and tender, add the flour to the mix and whisk flour for approximately one minute.
• Remove pan from heat, strain milk and add to onions and whisk.
• Return to heat, whisk constantly until sauce thickens, approximately 10 to 15 minutes.
• Add salt, parmesan and nutmeg (bechamel sauce can be made a day in advance).
• Remove from heat, and add spinach.
• Add the spinach bechamel mix to an 8X8 oven proof dish.
• Bake for 25 to 30 minutes.

CREAMY SPINACH BéCHAMEL RECIPE

Steps:

• If using frozen spinach place it in a pot, add about ¼ cup water and let it thaw slowly on low heat. Or you can leave the spinach to thaw before you start cooking. Stir from time to time. When thawed continue cooking for about 5 minutes or until the spinach is soft. Let drain in a colander.
• If using fresh spinach, remove the stems and chop the spinach very roughly. Wash it and place it in a large pot, let wilt and cook for a few minutes until soft. Let drain in a colander.
• In the meantime make the Béchamel sauce. Heat the milk slightly in a heatproof jug (or heat in a saucepan and pour in a jug).
• Melt the butter in a non-stick saucepan. Sprinkle the flour on top and let it get slightly golden while stirring all the time, about 1-2 minutes. Slowly start adding the milk, while whisking continuously. Add the vegetable broth slowly as well and keep whisking.
• Bring to a simmer and let the sauce thicken on low heat, this will take about 5 minutes, continue to stir. The sauce should be thick and coat the back of a wooden spoon. Add some nutmeg and salt and pepper to taste.
• Mix the drained spinach and the Béchamel sauce together. Add the lemon juice and the finely grated garlic cloves. Stir well and adjust the taste again with salt, pepper, nutmeg and lemon juice. Serve hot as suggested above.

CREAMED SPINACH

Steps:

• Cook spinach in 2 batches in 1 inch of boiling salted water in an 8-quart pot, stirring constantly, until wilted, 1 to 2 minutes. Drain in a colander and rinse under cold running water until cool. Squeeze small handfuls of spinach to remove as much moisture as possible, then coarsely chop.
• Heat milk and cream in a small saucepan over moderate heat, stirring, until warm. Meanwhile, cook onion in butter in a 3-quart heavy saucepan over moderately low heat, stirring occasionally, until softened, about 4 minutes. Whisk in flour and cook roux, whisking, 3 minutes. Add warm milk mixture in a fast stream, whisking constantly to prevent lumps, and simmer, whisking, until thickened, 3 to 4 minutes. Stir in nutmeg, spinach, and salt and pepper to taste and cook, stirring, until heated through.