Individual Fresh Spinach Gratins Recipes

SPINACH AND LEEK GRATIN WITH ROQUEFORT CRUMB TOPPING

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 400°F. Melt 3 tablespoons butter in medium skillet over medium-high heat. Mix in 2 tablespoons mustard, then breadcrumbs. Sauté until breadcrumbs are golden, about 5 minutes. Cool briefly. Mix in cheese.
• Toss 1 1/2 bags spinach in large nonstick pot over high heat until wilted, about 3 minutes. Transfer to sieve set over bowl. Repeat with remaining spinach. Press on spinach to drain.
• Melt remaining 2 tablespoons butter in same pot over medium-high heat. Add leek; sauté 4 minutes. Add cream, remaining 1 1/2 tablespoons mustard, and spinach. Toss until thick and blended, about 2 minutes. Season with salt and pepper. Transfer to 7x11-inch baking dish. Top with breadcrumb mixture. Bake until bubbling, about 10 minutes.

SPINACH GRATIN

Steps:

• Sauté the onions in the butter over a low heat for 3-4 minutes.
• Add the hot chicken stock and let simmer 10 minutes more, covered.
• Stir in the flour and when it is completely mixed in, add the milk.
• Stir while bringing to a boil, then lower the heat and simmer for 3-4 minutes or until thick.
• Stir in two tablespoons of the parmesan, season with salt and pepper and set aside.
• Meanwhile, lightly sauté the spinach in a separate pan.
• When it is wilted, rinse in cold water until it is cool enough to handle.
• Chop roughly and spread over the bottom of a small casserole dish.
• Sprinkle over half the remaining parmesan and the nutmeg.
• Pour over the sauce and finish with the breadcrumbs and the last of the parmesan on top.
• Bake at 200 C or 400 F for 20 minutes.
• The gratin is done when it is bubbling and crusty on top.
• Serve immediately.

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.

CREAMY BUTTERNUT SQUASH AND 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, about 3 to 5 minutes. Drain in a colander and rinse under cold water. You may skip this step if you like, I don't think it's really necessary.
• Thoroughly squeeze cooked fresh or thawed frozen spinach in small handfuls to remove excess moisture(try to get it absolutely dry), then coarsely chop and transfer to a bowl.
• Melt 3 tablespoons butter in an 8-inch heavy skillet over medium low heat, then cook onion and garlic, stirring, until softened, 3 to 5 minutes(you can cook it till caramalized if you like). 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-I think you could use glass, just be careful when broiling-that's the reason it's not recommended).
• Cut squash to separate bulb section from solid neck section, then cut pieces lengthwise into 1/8-inch-thick slices with slicer or food processor. To make the squash easier to cut, microwave for 3-5 minutes.
• 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 each layer of squash evenly with cheeses and dot with remaining 2 tablespoons butter, then cover directly with a sheet of parchment or wax paper(or use glass lid). Bake until squash is tender and filling is bubbling, 35 to 45 minutes. If you like, you can use individual baking dishes, just note shorter cooking time. I haven't tried baking it individually so cook times are estimated.
• Remove paper and bake gratin until browned in spots, 10 to 15 minutes, or broil 3 inches from heat, 2 to 3 minutes. Enjoy!
• Note:.
• If making individual gratins, bake 20-30 minutes.
• Also, for a shortcut, use 3 packages of creamed spinach(cooked) and skip the cream.
• Some reviewers added a little jalapeno(or chipotle peppers and sliced almonds on top.

FRESH SPINACH GRATIN

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C).
• Heat oil in a large skillet over medium heat and cook onion until soft and translucent, about 5 minutes. Season with salt, pepper, and thyme. Sprinkle flour over onion mixture and cook until a thick paste forms, about 1 minute.
• Place spinach in a large soup pot and cover. Heat on low until spinach begins to wilt, about 4 minutes. Turn heat off and add half-and-half, 1 cup Swiss cheese, and the onion mixture. Stir to combine and transfer to a 9-inch gratin dish.
• Combine breadcrumbs and remaining 1/2 cup cheese in a bowl. Pour melted butter over the top and stir to combine. Evenly spread breadcrumb mixture over the spinach.
• Bake in the preheated oven uncovered for 20 minutes. Let cool for 5 minutes before serving.