Creamed Spinach

This classic recipe is a favorite for an elegant dinner or holiday feast

Yield: 4 servings (2 cups)

Ingredients:

10 wt oz              Spinach, stems removed                           

2 qt                      Water

½ TBL                  Kosher Salt

2 TBL                   Unsalted Butter

¼ each                Yellow Onion, small dice

4 each                 Garlic Cloves, minced

½ cup                  Milk

½ cup                  Heavy Cream

2 wt oz                Cream Cheese

½ tsp                   Lemon Juice

½ tsp                   Kosher Salt

¼ tsp                   Black Pepper, fresh ground

1/8 tsp                Cayenne Pepper

 

Method:

1.       Pick through spinach to remove any brown leaves and long stems.

2.       Bring water to a boil in a 3 qt saucepan. Add salt and stir to dissolve.

3.       Add spinach and cook while stirring for 30 seconds, then drain and place in an ice bath to cool completely.

4.       Drain spinach and squeeze out excess water. Rough chop cooked spinach.

5.       Melt butter in a 3 qt saucepan.

6.       Saute onion on low heat for 4-5 minutes or until soft and golden.

7.       Add garlic and cook while stirring for 1 minute.

8.       Add chopped spinach and stir. Cook to evaporate any excess water that leaches out.

9.       Add milk and cream. Stir well and bring to a simmer over low heat.

10.   Add cream cheese and simmer, stirring often until melted. Then simmer on low heat for 2 minutes.

11.   Add lemon juice, salt, black pepper, and cayenne. Stir until mixed well.

12.   Transfer to serving dish. Spinach will thicken slightly as it cools.