Patrick Oconnell
Creamed spinach is a classic side dish that can be served with a variety of main courses, such as steak, pork chops, chicken, or pasta. While traditional creamed spinach recipes often include cheese, it is possible to make a creamy and delicious version without it. The key to achieving a creamy texture lies in the preparation of the spinach and the creation of a flavourful sauce. This involves a combination of milk, butter, flour, and various seasonings, resulting in a rich and indulgent dish that complements the spinach perfectly.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Ingredients | Spinach, Butter, Onion, Garlic, Milk, Cream, Cream Cheese, Parmesan, Salt, Pepper, Red Pepper Flakes, Nutmeg, Cayenne |
| Preparation | Melt butter, add onion and garlic, add milk, cream, and cream cheese, season, add spinach, stir in Parmesan |
| Cooking Time | 30 seconds to cook spinach, 5 minutes to cook onion, 1 minute to cook garlic, 5 minutes to simmer sauce |
| Notes | Use baby spinach for tender stems, blanch spinach to preserve colour, taste, and texture, cook until wilted, not mushy |
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What You'll Learn
How to make a basic white sauce
To make a basic white sauce, you'll need butter, flour, and milk. Some recipes also call for salt and pepper for seasoning.
First, put a heavy-based saucepan on low to medium heat. Add your butter and let it melt. Once melted, add the flour and stir with a wooden spoon until combined. Keep stirring constantly for about two minutes to ensure the flour is cooked through. You don't want raw flour in your sauce!
Now, slowly add your milk, bit by bit, stirring constantly to avoid lumps. Keep adding milk and stirring until you reach your desired thickness. If you want a thinner sauce, simply add a little more milk. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
Once you've mastered the basic white sauce, you can bump it up a notch by adding some diced onions and garlic. This forms the basis of a delicious cream sauce. To make it even richer, you can add some heavy cream and cream cheese.
This creamy sauce can then be combined with cooked spinach to create a tasty side dish. Simply cook your spinach in a separate pan until wilted, then add it to your sauce. You can also add some grated Parmesan cheese for a salty kick. Season with salt and pepper, and you're done!
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Preparing the spinach
Wash and Dry the Spinach
Begin by washing the spinach thoroughly to remove any dirt or impurities. It is important to use fresh spinach for the best flavour and texture. You can use baby spinach, which has tender stems that can be left intact, or mature spinach with tougher stems that may need to be removed.
Wilt the Spinach
To wilt the spinach, you can either blanch it in boiling water for 30 seconds or sauté it in a pan with butter over medium heat. The wilting process helps remove excess moisture from the spinach, preventing a watery dish. Be careful not to overcook the spinach, as it should retain a slight crunch.
Squeeze Out Excess Water
After wilting the spinach, drain it and place it in a bowl of ice water to stop the cooking process. Once it is cool enough to handle, drain it again and squeeze out as much excess water as possible. This step is crucial to ensuring your creamy spinach has the right texture.
Chop the Spinach
If you are using mature spinach with tougher stems, you may want to chop the leaves before or after wilting. Chopping the spinach helps create a uniform texture in your final dish.
Sauté the Spinach
In a separate pan, melt some butter over medium heat and add the spinach in batches. Sauté the spinach until it is wilted and cooked to your desired level of doneness. You can also add garlic at this stage to infuse the spinach with flavour.
Combine with Cream Sauce
Finally, combine the prepared spinach with your chosen cream sauce. You can either add the spinach directly to the sauce and stir until combined, or layer the spinach and sauce in a baking dish and bake until melted together.
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Adding creaminess without cheese
Creamed spinach is a classic side dish that is typically made with cheese. However, it is possible to achieve a creamy texture without using cheese. Here are some tips and alternatives to create a delicious and creamy spinach dish:
Use a combination of milk, heavy cream, and cream cheese
Milk, heavy cream, and cream cheese can be combined to create a creamy texture without relying on cheese. This method provides a good base for your spinach, and the cream cheese adds a tangy flavour. You can adjust the proportions of these ingredients to suit your taste and desired consistency.
Opt for a roux-based sauce
Start by making a roux, which is a cooked mixture of butter and flour. This forms the base of a cream sauce. Cook the roux over medium heat until it turns golden brown. Then, add your aromatics such as onions and garlic to build flavour. Slowly whisk in milk to create a thick and creamy sauce. This technique ensures a rich and smooth texture without the need for cheese.
Choose alternative dairy products
In addition to milk and heavy cream, you can explore using other dairy products to add creaminess. For example, half-and-half is a great option that can provide a similar richness to cream without being too heavy. Alternatively, you can use whipped cream cheese, which adds a tangy flavour and a smooth texture.
Blanch or wilt the spinach
Blanching or wilting the spinach before adding it to the cream sauce is an important step. This helps remove excess moisture from the spinach, preventing a watery dish. To blanch, cook the spinach in boiling water for 30 seconds, then drain and place it in ice water. To wilt, simply cook the spinach over medium heat until it shrinks and becomes tender.
Season with spices
Enhance the creaminess of your spinach dish by adding spices such as freshly grated nutmeg, cayenne pepper, and a pinch of salt and pepper. These spices complement the richness of the cream and add depth of flavour. Adjust the seasonings to taste, and feel free to experiment with other spices that you enjoy.
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Seasoning and spices
Salt and pepper are the most commonly used seasonings for creamy spinach. Salt enhances the other flavours in the dish, while pepper adds a subtle kick. You can also season with red pepper flakes for a spicier dish.
Nutmeg is another popular spice used in creamy spinach. It adds a subtle warmth that complements the richness of the cream and spinach. Cayenne is also used to add a pinch of heat to the dish.
Some recipes suggest using oregano and parsley to enhance the flavour of the creamy spinach. Freshly grated Parmesan cheese can also be added for a salty, cheesy kick.
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Serving suggestions
Creamed spinach is a versatile side dish that can be served with a variety of meals. Here are some serving suggestions to consider:
Meat Dishes
Creamed spinach is a classic steak side dish and pairs well with grilled steak or steakhouse steak. It also goes well with pork chops, roast chicken, or herb-roasted turkey. For a heartier meal, you can stir in cooked bacon bits, shredded chicken, or diced ham into the creamed spinach.
Holiday Meals
Creamed spinach can be a delicious addition to your holiday meals. It can be served as a side dish for Easter dinner, especially alongside glazed Easter ham. It is also a great option for Thanksgiving, adding a creamy vegetable dish to the table.
Everyday Meals
Creamed spinach is a quick and easy side dish that can accompany your everyday meals. It goes well with fish or meat dishes and can be served with mashed potatoes and fried eggs for a simple weeknight dinner.
Special Occasions
For a special occasion or weekend meal, creamed spinach can be served alongside special weekend meat roasts. It can also add a touch of elegance to your meal when paired with pan-seared garlic butter steaks or salmon with creamy Dijon sauce.
Vegetarian Options
If you are looking for vegetarian options, creamed spinach can be a tasty and nutritious main course. Serve it with mashed potatoes or grains like quinoa or rice for a well-rounded meatless meal.
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