Emerils Creamed Spinach Food

SPINACH AND CHEESE EMPANADAS

Steps:

• In the bowl of a standing electric mixer using the paddle attachment, beat the cream cheese and butter on high speed until very smooth, pausing to scrape down the sides of the bowl, as necessary. Reduce the mixer speed to low, add the flour, little by little, and the salt, and process until just combined. Turn the dough out onto a slightly floured surface and knead lightly. Form the dough into a disk, cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 3 hours and up to overnight.
• Heat 1 teaspoon of the reserved bacon drippings in a medium nonstick skillet and, when hot, add the spinach. Cook, stirring frequently, until the spinach is wilted and has released its liquid, 2 to 3 minutes. Transfer the spinach to a colander to drain. When the spinach has cooled enough to handle, squeeze to release any excess water, then transfer to a cutting board and finely chop. Set aside.
• Add 2 more teaspoons of the bacon drippings to the same skillet, then add the onion and garlic and cook, stirring, until soft but not browned, 2 to 3 minutes. Add the reserved spinach, crumbled bacon, cottage cheese, salt and pepper to taste and nutmeg and mix thoroughly. Transfer to a mixing bowl and allow to cool thoroughly. Taste and adjust seasoning, if necessary.
• Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F and lightly grease a baking sheet.
• Remove the dough from the refrigerator and, working on a lightly floured work surface, roll the dough to a thickness of about 1/8-inch thick. Using a small bowl or saucer as a guide, cut the dough into as many 5-inch circles as possible. Gather the scraps of dough together and knead lightly to reform the dough into a disk. Roll out as before and again cut as many rounds as you can. You should be able to get 10 to 12 rounds. Divide the spinach filling evenly among the dough circles. Using your fingers, lightly moisten the edges with some of the beaten egg, then fold 1 side over so that the edges meet, and press to seal. Crimp the edges using the tines of a fork and transfer to the prepared baking sheet. Repeat until all of the empanadas are assembled. Brush the tops of each empanada with some of the beaten egg and bake uncovered until golden, 12 to 15 minutes.
• Serve either warm or at room temperature.

CREAMED SPINACH

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. Butter an 8 by 8-inch baking dish. Melt the butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the onion and a pinch of salt. Saute for 3 minutes, then add the garlic and red chili flakes and saute for 2 more minutes. Add the heavy cream, Parmesan, and nutmeg. Heat until the cream is just beginning to bubble, stirring often. Turn the burner off and stir in sour cream and spinach. Adjust the seasoning with salt and pepper, to taste. Pour into the prepared baking dish and sprinkle the top evenly with fried onions. Bake until golden and bubbly, 15 to 20 minutes.

EMERIL'S CREAMED SPINACH

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 375 degrees.
• Lightly grease a 6 cup casserole.
• In a large saute pan, melt the remaining butter.
• Add the onions and season with salt and pepper.
• Saute for about 2 minutes, or until the onions are soft.
• Add the spinach.
• Season with salt and pepper.
• Saute for 3 to 4 minutes.
• Add the garlic and cream.
• Mix well.
• Season the mixture with salt and pepper.
• Bring the liquid to a boil and reduce to a simmer.
• Simmer the mixture for 6 minutes.
• Remove the pan from the heat and turn into the prepared pan.
• Add 1/2 of cheese to casserole and stir.
• Sprinkle the top with the remainder of the grated cheese and place in the oven.
• Bake for about 4 to 6 minutes or until the cheese is slightly brown and bubbly.

CREAMED SPINACH

Steps:

• Coat a large, straight-sided saute pan with olive oil and heat over medium heat. Add the spinach, cover and saute until gently wilted. Remove the spinach from the pan to a colander set inside a bowl to let the spinach drain and cool.
• Remove any liquid from the bottom of the saute pan and coat lightly with olive oil. Heat the oil over medium heat, add the onions, and season with salt, to taste. Saute the onions until they are translucent and very aromatic, about 5 to 7 minutes. Add the garlic and saute for 2 to 3 more minutes. Add the butter, and when melted stir in the flour. Cook until it is the texture of wet sand, about 5 to 6 minutes. Whisk in the milk, cayenne pepper and Parmigiano. Taste for seasoning and season with salt, if needed, (it will). Bring the milk to a boil, then reduce the heat and simmer for 5 to 6 minutes, stirring occasionally, so the milk doesn t scorch on the bottom.
• Add in the reserved spinach and stir to combine. Taste and adjust the seasoning, if needed. Transfer to a serving bowl and serve.

EMERIL'S CREOLE SAUCE

Steps:

• Heat the bacon grease in a medium, heavy saucepan over medium heat. Add the flour and stirring constantly with a heavy wooden spoon, cook until a roux a light brown forms, about 6 minutes.
• Add the onions, celery, and bell pepper and cook over medium heat, until the vegetables are tender, 5 to 6 minutes.
• Add the garlic, salt, red pepper, and bay leaves, and cook, stirring, for 30 seconds.
• Add the tomato paste and cook, stirring constantly, until it starts to color, about 2 minutes.
• Add the tomatoes, oregano, basil, thyme, lemon zest, Worcestershire and Tabasco, and cook, stirring, for 2 minutes.
• Add the stock and bring to a boil.
• Reduce the heat to low and simmer, uncovered, until the sauce thickens and reduces by one-quarter in volume, 20 to 25 minutes, stirring occasionally.
• To serve immediately, add the shrimp and cook, stirring, until cooked through and tender, about 5 minutes. Adjust the seasoning to taste. Arrange 1/2 to 3/4 cup long grain white rice in each of 4 to 6 large shallow bowls or on large plates.
• Ladle the shrimp Creole over the rice, garnish with chopped parsley, and serve.

EMERIL'S SPINACH, ORANGE AND CANDIED ALMOND SALAD

Steps:

• Lightly grease a 10" square of parchment paper with butter or vegetable oil and set aside.
• Use a salad spinner to rinse the baby spinach thoroughy. Remove as much moisture as possible from the spinach or your salad will be soggy. Set aside to drain.
• SIMPLE SYRUP: In a small saucepan combine 3 tablespoons of sugar and 1 tablespoon of water over medium-high heat. Swirl the mixture occasionally until the sugar turns a golden amber color*. This should take about 3-4 minutes.
• Add the almonds and stir to coat. Continue cooking until the almonds are fragrant and golden brown, about 1 minute. *Be careful not to burn the sugar/nut mixture or yourself! Transfer nuts to parchment paper, using a spatula to spread into a thin layer, and set aside to cool completely.
• With a sharp knife, peel the orange, remove the bitter white pith and cut the fruit into segments. (Use a small bowl to catch the orange juice that drips.) Reserve the segments in a separate bowl. Reserve the orange juice.
• SALAD DRESSING: Combine 1/4 cup of the reserved fresh orange juice, remaining 3 tablespoons sugar, the Champagne or white vinegar, olive oil, fresh orange zest, 1/4 teaspoon salt, and the cayenne in a mixing bowl and whisk to blend. Transfer the dressing to a non-reactive container with a lid and refrigerate until ready to eat.
• Put the fresh spinach in a large serving bowl, then top with the orange segments, celery, and red onions. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate until ready to serve.
• When ready to serve, break the caramelized almonds (at this point the almonds have turned to "brittle") into bite-size pieces and scatter over the top of the salad. Drizzle the dressing over the salad and season with salt and black pepper, to taste. Toss to coat evenly and serve immediately.

EMERIL LAGASSE SUPER STUFFED SHELLS

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
• Lightly grease a 2-quart casserole dish with 1 teaspoon of olive oil.
• Bring a medium pot of water to a boil.
• Add 1 teaspoon of the salt and the pasta shells, and cook until al dente, 10 to 12 minutes, stirring occasionally with a long-handled spoon to prevent the shells from sticking together.
• Drain and rinse under cold running water. Drain.
• While pasta is cooking, prepare the following:.
• In a medium skillet, heat the remaining tablespoon of olive oil over medium heat.
• Add the onions and garlic and cook, stirring, until very soft, 6 to 7 minutes.
• Add the ground veal and cook, stirring, until cooked and browned.
• Add the squeezed spinach and cook, stirring, for 3 minutes.
• Remove from the heat and season with salt and pepper.
• In a large bowl, combine the ricotta cheese, eggs, Parmesan cheese, and 1 cup of the mozzarella cheese.
• Add the spinach mixture, the extra-virgin olive oil, 1 tsp Essence, remaining teaspoon of salt, the basil, oregano, and pepper, and stir to combine thoroughly.
• Spoon about 2 tablespoons of the spinach-ricotta filling into each cooked pasta shell.
• Place the filled shells in the prepared dish.
• If using ground beef, brown in fry pan, drain and add to pasta sauce of your choice.
• Pour the Basic Red Sauce over the filled shells and top with the remaining 1 cup of mozzarella cheese.
• Bake, uncovered, until bubbly, about 20 minutes.
• Remove from the oven and let rest for 5 minutes before serving.

EMERIL'S SPINACH COULIS

Steps:

• Heat the butter in a 10-inch saute pan over medium heat. Add the shallots and cook, stirring, until soft and lightly golden, about 2 minutes. Carefully add the Herbsaint so that it does not flame. Add the green onions, parsley, and spinach and cook until the spinach is slightly wilted, about 1 minute. Add the cream and simmer for 2 minutes, stirring occasionally.
• Pour the mixture into a food processor or blender and process until the mixture is smooth, about 1 minute. Add the salt and pepper and pulse two or three times to blend, and serve immediately.