Savory Spinach Gratin Food

SAVORY SPINACH GRATIN

Steps:

• 1 Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
• 2. Lightly grease a 9-inch gratin dish with olive oil.
• 3. Coarsely chop the spinach, and in a large bowl, toss it with the dill, garlic, curry powder, cumin, salt and pepper. When well combined, firmly pack the mixture into the preapred gratin dish. Sprinkle the bread crumbs generously on top. Drizzle the ghee over the crumbs, making sure they are well coated.
• 4. Bake the gratin for about 45 minutes, or until the spinach liquid has evaporated and the top has browned. Remove from the oven and serve immediately.
• Wine Suggestions: Chateau Ste.-Michele Gewurztraminer Zaca Mesa Roussann These delicate white wines enhance the lsightly spiced leafiness of the spinach gratin.

SPINACH GRATIN

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C). Butter an 8 cup (2 l) gratin dish.
• In a skillet over medium-high heat, warm 1 tablespoon butter. Add the spinach and cook, stirring occasionally, until just wilted, 3 to 4 minutes. Press out any excess water. Transfer to a large bowl.
• In a large saucepan over medium heat, melt the remaining 2 tablespoons butter. Add the onions and cook, stirring, until translucent but not brown, about 5 minutes. Add the garlic and then the flour and cook, stirring constantly, until nutty and just golden, about 1 minute. Slowly whisk in the cream and milk and continue cooking until thickened, about 3 minutes. Remove from the heat and stir in half of the cheese until melted. Fold the sauce into the spinach and season with salt and pepper. Transfer to the prepared gratin dish and top with the remaining cheese. Bake until the gratin is golden brown on top, about 10 minutes.

SPINACH GRATIN

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F. Melt the butter in a heavy-bottomed saute pan over medium heat. Add the onions and saute until translucent, about 15 minutes. Add the flour and nutmeg and cook, stirring, for 2 more minutes. Add the cream and milk and cook until thickened. Squeeze as much liquid as possible from the spinach and add the spinach to the sauce. Add 1/2 cup of the Parmesan cheese and mix well. Season, to taste, with salt and pepper. Transfer the spinach to a baking dish and sprinkle the remaining 1/2 cup Parmesan and the Gruyere on top. Bake for 20 minutes until hot and bubbly. Serve hot.
• Note: This recipe has been updated and may differ from what was originally broadcast or published.

INDIVIDUAL FRESH SPINACH GRATINS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
• Bring a pot of water to a boil, add salt, to taste. Blanch the spinach in the water for a few seconds, then transfer spinach in a strainer to a bowl of iced water to stop the cooking. Squeeze excess water out of the spinach, and chop roughly.
• Heat butter in a saucepan. Add the flour and cook into a light tan color, making a blonde roux. Add the onions and cook for 1 minute, then add the milk, nutmeg, salt, and pepper, and whisk to remove any lumps from the roux. Bring to a simmer and cook for about 6 minutes.
• Combine the spinach, bechamel, and adjust seasonings. Fill 6 to 8 (4-ounce) gratin dishes with the creamed spinach. Mix the cheese and breadcrumbs, and scatter over top of gratin. Put the gratins in the oven, and cook until bubbling and golden on top, about 25 to 30 mintues.

BUTTERNUT SQUASH AND CREAMED-SPINACH GRATIN

Steps:

• If using fresh spinach, bring 1 inch water to a boil in a 6- to 8-quart pot over high heat. Add spinach, a few handfuls at a time, and cook, turning with tongs, until wilted, 3 to 5 minutes. Drain in a colander and rinse under cold water.
• Thoroughly squeeze cooked fresh or thawed frozen spinach in small handfuls to remove excess moisture, then coarsely chop and transfer to a bowl.
• Melt 3 tablespoons butter in an 8-inch heavy skillet over moderately low heat, then cook onion and garlic, stirring, until softened, 3 to 5 minutes. Add onion mixture to spinach along with salt, pepper, nutmeg, and cream and stir to combine.
• Put oven rack in upper third of oven and preheat oven to 400°F. Butter a 3-quart shallow baking dish (13 by 9 inches; not glass).
• Cut squash to separate bulb section from solid neck section, then cut pieces lengthwise into 1/8-inch-thick slices with slicer.
• Layer squash and spinach mixture in baking dish, using about one fifth of squash and one fourth of spinach for each layer, beginning and ending with squash. Sprinkle top layer of squash evenly with cheese and dot with remaining 2 tablespoons butter, then cover directly with a sheet of parchment or wax paper. Bake until squash is tender and filling is bubbling, 25 to 30 minutes. Remove paper and bake gratin until browned in spots, 10 to 15 minutes, or broil 3 inches from heat, 2 to 3 minutes.