Cristina Ferrares Creamed Spinach Food

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

Steps:

• Melt the butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Whisk in the flour until smooth; cook, stirring, until the mixture lightens, about 1 minute. Remove from the heat; whisk in the milk, 2 teaspoons salt and the nutmeg. Return to medium heat and bring to a boil, whisking. Remove from the heat again; stir to cool slightly.
• Heat a deep skillet over medium heat. Add the spinach and 1 teaspoon salt; cover and cook about 3 minutes. Toss with tongs, then continue to wilt, uncovered, about 2 more minutes. Drain and cool slightly, then squeeze the spinach until dry. Coarsely chop.
• Gently reheat the sauce, then whisk in the whole egg and yolks; cook, stirring, until the sauce thickens. Stir in the spinach; heat through. Season with salt and pepper.

CREAMED SPINACH

Steps:

• Wash the spinach in several changes of water to get rid of any grit. Drain the spinach but keep some of the water clinging to the leaves. Heat the butter and oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat and add the spinach and garlic. Cook, turning frequently, until the spinach has wilted down evenly. Remove the garlic and put the spinach into a colander and let it drain well. Press out as much liquid as you can from the leaves and chop them coarsely.
• Heat the skillet again over medium-high heat and add the cream and nutmeg; cook until it reduces a bit, about 5 minutes. Add the spinach and parmesan and season with salt and pepper. Cook until the spinach is hot, about 5 more minutes. Serve immediately.

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.