Nannas Creamed Spinach Recipes

CLASSIC CREAMED SPINACH

Steps:

• Blanch the spinach. Bring 1 gallon water to a boil in a large pot. Add a pinch of kosher salt. Place the spinach in the boiling water. After 45 seconds (exactly), remove the spinach leaves with a slotted spoon, spider or tongs and drain in a colander. Let cool completely.
• Use your hands to press the spinach against the sides of the colander. When most of the liquid has been released, squeeze handfuls of the spinach to make sure all of the excess water has been removed. Set aside.
• In a wide, high-sided saute pan, melt the butter over medium-low heat. With a wooden spoon, stir the flour into the melted butter to create a roux that will look like wet sand. Cook the roux for 3 minutes, stirring continuously to make sure it doesn't burn and it becomes a "blond" color. Add the milk to the roux, whisking vigorously to make sure that the roux completely dissolves into the milk without lumping.
• Turn down the heat to maintain a low simmer. You're making a bechamel sauce, which is the base for the creamed spinach. Next, whisk in the cream and return the mixture to a simmer. Cook the bechamel until thickened and smooth, about 5 minutes, stirring often. Season the sauce with the salt, pepper and cayenne.
• Preheat a small saute pan over medium-high heat. Add the oil and let heat for about 1 minute. Add the onions and season with a pinch of salt. Cook until the onions soften and become translucent, 2 to 3 minutes. Stir in the garlic and cook an additional minute or two.
• Add the cooked onion and garlic along with the drained spinach to the bechamel, folding to make sure it's completely coated with sauce. Season with the nutmeg. Cook for 2 minutes, then taste the spinach. Adjust the seasoning with more salt and the nutmeg, and/or more cayenne if desired.

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.