Best Savory Spinach Gratin Recipes

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.

SAVORY SPINACH GRATIN

Steps:

• 1 Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
• 2. Lightly grease a 9-inch gratin dish with olive oil.
• 3. Coarsely chop the spinach, and in a large bowl, toss it with the dill, garlic, curry powder, cumin, salt and pepper. When well combined, firmly pack the mixture into the preapred gratin dish. Sprinkle the bread crumbs generously on top. Drizzle the ghee over the crumbs, making sure they are well coated.
• 4. Bake the gratin for about 45 minutes, or until the spinach liquid has evaporated and the top has browned. Remove from the oven and serve immediately.
• Wine Suggestions: Chateau Ste.-Michele Gewurztraminer Zaca Mesa Roussann These delicate white wines enhance the lsightly spiced leafiness of the spinach gratin.

PROVENCAL SPINACH GRATIN

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 425 degrees. Oil a 2-quart baking dish or gratin and rub with a cut side of one of the garlic cloves before you chop the garlic.
• Steam the spinach above an inch of boiling water for 2 to 3 minutes, until it is wilted. You will probably have to do this in batches. I like to use a pasta pot with an insert for steaming spinach, as I can get a lot of it into the insert. Rinse briefly with cold water, squeeze gently (you don't have to squeeze dry) and chop.
• In a large bowl, toss together the spinach, 2 tablespoons of the olive oil, garlic, salt and pepper, flour, milk and parsley. Spoon into the gratin dish in an even layer. Sprinkle the bread crumbs over the top and drizzle on the remaining tablespoon of olive oil.
• Place in the oven and bake for 20 to 30 minutes, until the top is browned and the mixture is sizzling. Serve as a starter or a side.

BUTTERNUT SQUASH AND CREAMED-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, 3 to 5 minutes. Drain in a colander and rinse under cold water.
• Thoroughly squeeze cooked fresh or thawed frozen spinach in small handfuls to remove excess moisture, then coarsely chop and transfer to a bowl.
• Melt 3 tablespoons butter in an 8-inch heavy skillet over moderately low heat, then cook onion and garlic, stirring, until softened, 3 to 5 minutes. 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).
• Cut squash to separate bulb section from solid neck section, then cut pieces lengthwise into 1/8-inch-thick slices with slicer.
• 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 top layer of squash evenly with cheese and dot with remaining 2 tablespoons butter, then cover directly with a sheet of parchment or wax paper. Bake until squash is tender and filling is bubbling, 25 to 30 minutes. Remove paper and bake gratin until browned in spots, 10 to 15 minutes, or broil 3 inches from heat, 2 to 3 minutes.