Creamed Spinach
- 4 large bunches spinach, leaves only, well washed
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 2 cups hot milk
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground white pepper
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 medium onions, finely diced
- 1/2 cup grated anejo cheese
- Heat a very large, deep skillet over medium heat.
- Add all the spinach with the water still clinging to its leaves, even if you have to firmly pack it in.
- Cover the pan tightly (weight the lid down, if necessary).
- Leave the spinach to cook for about 2 minutes, then turn it over so that the wilted leaves are on the top.
- Cover and repeat the process 2 or 3 times more, until all the spinach is nicely wilted.
- Remove from the heat and cool to room temperature.
- Squeeze the spinach dry with your hands a little at a time, squeezing as much liquid as possible from the leaves.
- Chop the spinach leaves coarsely and set aside.
- In a medium saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat.
- Stir in the flour with a wooden spoon, to make a loose paste.
- Cook for about 2 minutes, until foamy, but do not let it brown.
- Remove from the heat.
- As soon as the paste has stopped foaming, whisk in the hot milk all at once and continue whisking until thoroughly blended.
- Return to the heat and stir slowly, reaching into all the corners of the pan, until the sauce comes to a simmer.
- Simmer for about 2 minutes, still stirring, until the sauce has thickened, then add the cream, salt, and pepper, and stir for 1 minute more.
- Remove the pan from the heat and stir it every minute or two while you finish the dish to prevent a skin from forming.
- In the same skillet where the spinach was cooked, well dried, heat the olive oil over mediumlow heat.
- Add the onion and saute, stirring occasionally, for 7 to 8 minutes or until translucent.
- Add the cooked spinach and the white sauce to the pan and stir together over medium heat until well mixed and heated through.
- Finally, stir in the cheese, taste for seasoning, and transfer to a heated and covered serving dish.
bunches spinach, unsalted butter, allpurpose, hot milk, heavy cream, salt, freshly ground white pepper, olive oil, onions, anejo cheese
Taken from www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/creamed-spinach-recipe.html (may not work)