What is creamy spinach?

creamy spinach is a method of preparing a dark leaf green, in which boiled spinach is combined with cream sauce, spices and usually aromatics such as garlic and onion. The result is a very rich meal that can be served with robust appetizers such as steaks or grilled foods or are served separately. There are two basic ways to create cream spinach, the first relies on reducing a heavy cream in a pan until it is thick. The second method is a bit more time consuming, but involves creating a simple roux and then slowly creating a cream sauce by adding milk. It is not unusual to find other ingredients - such as crispy bacon, nutmeg, mushrooms, grated cheese and cloves - in cream spinach. Spinach can be cooked in any way and can be used from a frozen state if it is first thawed. However, it is essential that spinach is fully cooked and very dry. This can be achieved by allowing spinach to sit in a colander for some time or pushing itm through a curd or towel until all water is released.

For a simple and comfortable version of cream spinach, ingredients such as onion and garlic or shallots, are chopped fine and brown in a pan with butter or olive oil. Boiled and dried spinach is then added to the pan and left to warm up and take some aromatic flavors of onion and garlic. A strong cream is poured into the pan, along with spices such as black pepper, nutmeg and sometimes bay leaf. The whole creamy mixture is then allowed to cook until the heavy cream is reduced by at least half, then the cream spinach is ready to serve.

One preparation that results in cream spinach, which has a richer, creamy texture, begins with melting butter and flour in a pan and form a roux. The Roux is allowed to brown slightly, after which any other ingredients are added and allowed to cook. Milk is slowly incorporated into Roux untilwill not reach the required consistency. The spinach is then added to the sauce and warms up to complete the bowl.

Smetan spinach is made of dark leaf green, so the nutmeg is usually added as a spice, as well as cloves in some cases. Fried, sharp pieces of bacon can be added as well as roasted mushrooms. Upon completion, the spinach is best served hot and can be ended with grated parmesan or worthy with red pepper flakes.