Creamed Spinach Lightened Up Recipes

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.

QUICK CREAMED SPINACH

Steps:

• In a large nonstick skillet, saute onion and garlic in butter until tender. Stir in flour until blended. Gradually whisk in half-and-half until blended. Bring to a boil over medium-low heat; cook and stir for 2 minutes or until slightly thickened., Add the cream cheese, salt, nutmeg and pepper, stirring until cream cheese is melted. Stir in spinach and 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese; heat through. Sprinkle with remaining Parmesan cheese. Serve immediately.

LIGHTENED-UP CREAMED SPINACH

Steps:

• Squeeze spinach hard with your hands to remove as much water as possible. Place spinach on a cutting board, chop it roughly and set aside. Heat butter and olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high until butter foams. Reduce heat to medium, add shallots and cook, stirring, until shallots soften and begin to brown, two or three minutes.
• Add spinach and season with salt, pepper and nutmeg to taste. Cook, stirring, until ingredients are combined and spinach is heated through. Remove from heat and add half and half, stirring to combine well. Serve immediately.

LIGHT CREAMED SPINACH

Steps:

• Heat oil. Add onions.
• Add spinach.
• Add lemon juice and cream when spinanch is cooked, followed by cheese. Stir briskly to mix and serve.