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The Food Lab's Creamed Spinach Recipe

The Food Lab's Creamed Spinach Recipe
  • Category

    Sides

  • Cusine

    American

Ingredients

3 tablespoons unsalted butter

2 medium shallots, finely minced

2 medium cloves garlic, minced or grated on a Microplane

2 pounds curly spinach, trimmed, washed, and drained

1 tablespoon all-purpose flour

1 1/2 cups heavy cream

1/2 cup whole milk

1/4 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg

1/4 cup store-bought or homemade crème fraîche

Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper

2 ounces Parmigiano-Reggiano, finely grated

Directions

Melt the butter in a Dutch oven or large saucepan over medium-high heat. Add the shallots and garlic and cook, stirring, until softened, about 2 minutes. Add the spinach in four batches, turning each batch with tongs or a rubber spatula and allowing it to wilt before adding the next. Add the flour and cook, stirring constantly, until no dry flour remains. Slowly stir in the heavy cream and milk. Bring to a simmer, stirring, then reduce the heat to the lowest possible setting and cook, stirring occasionally, until the spinach is completely softened and the sauce has thickened, about 1 1/2 hours. Stir in the nutmeg and crème fraîche and season to taste with salt and pepper. Remove from the heat. If desired, preheat the broiler to high. Transfer the creamed spinach to a 1-quart oval or round casserole dish and top it with the cheese. Broil until the spinach is bubbly and the cheese has formed a well-browned crust, about 2 minutes. Serve.