CLASSIC CREAMED SPINACH
Nobody will believe this comforting, creamy vegetable side dish is actually good for you. Serve it with a seared steak or chicken and roasted potatoes for a steakhouse-worthy meal. A small amount of real butter combined with low-fat evaporated milk gives the sauce rich flavor and a silky-smooth mouth feel. We have included nutmeg, a classic partner for spinach, and a sprinkle of cayenne to give the dish some warmth. Frozen spinach shaves some time off the prep to helping it come together with ease. For the best results, be sure to drain the spinach well before adding the sauce.
Categories Appetizers,Snacks
Time 35m
Yield 6 servings
Number Of Ingredients 10
Steps:
- Place one bag of frozen spinach in a covered glass container. Microwave on high for 8 minutes; spoon into a colander in the sink to drain. Repeat with second bag of spinach and add to same colander; use a large serving spoon to press excess water out of spinach. Place drained spinach in a serving bowl; cover to keep warm.
- Meanwhile, melt butter in a medium saucepan over medium-low heat; stir in onion and kosher salt. Cook onion, stirring frequently, until soft and translucent, about 10 minutes. Add flour, nutmeg and cayenne; stir to combine. Slowly whisk in evaporated milk; cook, whisking constantly, until thick and bubbling, about 5 to 7 minutes. Pour sauce into a blender or food processor (or use an immersion blender in the pot); blend sauce until smooth.
- Pour sauce over spinach and toss to combine; season with salt and black pepper. Yields about 3/4 cup per serving.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 39 kcal
CLASSIC CREAMED SPINACH
I can't resist a pat-on-my-back moment here--I rock at making creamed spinach. And I'm sharing this recipe with you because I want you to feel the same kind of confidence. Hidden in this seemingly straightforward recipe are lots of skills and foundational techniques, such as making a roux and a bechamel and sauteing onions. When you master this, you can say you're awesome at cooking--and you're definitely ready to graduate to the next chapter ("The Scary Stuff"!). Plus, this steakhouse classic is a great way to get everyone chowing down on iron-rich spinach.
Provided by Amanda Freitag
Categories side-dish
Time 35m
Yield Makes 8 cups, to serve 8 to 10
Number Of Ingredients 12
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.
CLASSIC CREAMED SPINACH - WW POINTS = 1
This recipe comes from my Weight Watchers Magazine, November/December 2008. This issue has several "make ahead recipes" for easy Holiday planning. "Make 1 month ahead." 1 point for a generous 1/3 cup serving.
Provided by senseicheryl
Categories Low Cholesterol
Time 17m
Yield 6 1/3 cup servings, 6 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 5
Steps:
- Spray a nonstick skillet with nonstick spray and set over medium-high heat. Add 1 bag of the spinach and cook until wilted. Drain. Repeat with the remaining 2 bags; squeeze dry.
- While the spinach cooks, whisk the milk, flour, salt and nutmeg in a medium saucepan until blended; bring to a simmer over medium-high heat. Reduce the heat and cook, stirring, until thickened, 4-5 minutes. Add the spinach and cook, stirring, until hot, about 1 minute.
- If making ahead, let cool; freeze in an airtight container up to 1 month. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight. Cook with 2 tablespoons low-fat milk until hot.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 64.4, Fat 1.5, SaturatedFat 0.7, Cholesterol 4.1, Sodium 315.6, Carbohydrate 9, Fiber 2.9, Sugar 3.1, Protein 5.6
CLASSIC CREAMED SPINACH
Nobody will believe this recipe is actually good for you. Serve it with a T-bone steak and roasted potatoes for a steakhouse-worthy meal.
Categories Appetizers
Time 35m
Yield 6 servings
Number Of Ingredients 10
Steps:
- Place one bag of frozen spinach in a covered glass container. Microwave on high for 8 minutes; spoon into a colander in the sink to drain. Repeat with second bag of spinach and add to same colander; use a large serving spoon to press excess water out of spinach. Place drained spinach in a serving bowl; cover to keep warm.
- Meanwhile, melt butter in a medium saucepan over medium-low heat; stir in onion and kosher salt. Cook onion, stirring frequently, until soft and translucent, about 10 minutes. Add flour, nutmeg and cayenne; stir to combine. Slowly whisk in evaporated milk; cook, whisking constantly, until thick and bubbling, about 5 to 7 minutes. Pour sauce into a blender or food processor (or use an immersion blender in the pot); blend sauce until smooth.
- Pour sauce over spinach and toss to combine; season with salt and black pepper. Yields about 3/4 cup per serving.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 42 kcal
CLASSIC CREAMED SPINACH
Using fresh spinach instead of frozen really enhances the flavor of this classic recipe from Ann Van Dyk of Wrightstown, Wisconsin. The hint of nutmeg makes this side dish even more appealing.
Provided by Taste of Home
Categories Side Dishes
Time 25m
Yield 4 servings.
Number Of Ingredients 8
Steps:
- In a Dutch oven, cook spinach in oil until wilted, 3 minutes. Remove from pan; set aside. Melt butter in the Dutch oven; add onion and saute until crisp-tender, 2 minutes. , Stir in flour, salt and nutmeg until combined. Gradually whisk in milk until blended. Bring to a boil; cook and stir until thickened, 2 minutes. Add the chopped spinach. Reduce heat to low; cook, uncovered, until heated through, 5 minutes.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 318 calories, Fat 27g fat (14g saturated fat), Cholesterol 58mg cholesterol, Sodium 581mg sodium, Carbohydrate 14g carbohydrate (5g sugars, Fiber 3g fiber), Protein 7g protein.
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