CREAMED SPINACH WITH PEARL ONIONS AND BACON

Creamed Spinach with Pearl Onions and Bacon image

Provided by Martha Stewart

Number Of Ingredients 10

1 1/4 pounds spinach, tough stems discarded, leaves rinsed well (do not pat dry)
10 ounces white pearl onions (about 2 1/2 cups)
5 tablespoons unsalted butter
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1 1/4 cups milk
3 ounces slab bacon, cut into 1/4-inch dice (about 3/4 cups)
Coarse salt and freshly ground pepper
Generous pinch of freshly grated nutmeg
1/2 cup heavy cream
2 teaspoons lemon juice

Steps:

Heat a large pot over high heat until hot. Cook spinach (with water still clinging to leaves) in pot, covered, until beginning to wilt, about 1 minute. Stir, and cook, covered, 1 minute more. Uncover; stir spinach until completely wilted.
Transfer to a colander; rinse under cold water. Squeeze spinach dry in a clean kitchen towel. Finely chop; set aside.
Bring a medium saucepan of water to a boil. Add onions; cook until skins soften, about 3 minutes. Remove onions with a slotted spoon (reserve water in pot); rinse under cold water. Trim root ends, and remove skins. Halve onions if large.
Return onions to cooking water. Cook until tender, about 10 minutes. Drain, and rinse under cold water.
Melt 4 tablespoons butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Add flour, and whisk until smooth. Whisking constantly, pour in milk in a slow, steady stream. Boil, whisking constantly, 1 minute. Remove from heat.
Melt remaining tablespoon butter in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add bacon; cook, stirring occasionally, until well browned, about 6 minutes. Stir in onions and spinach. Stir in cream and reserved milk mixture. Add 1 teaspoon salt, 1/4 teaspoon pepper, and nutmeg. Cook, stirring occasionally, until heated through and thickened, about 10 minutes (adjust heat if necessary; do not let boil). Stir in lemon juice. Season with salt and pepper, if desired.