Thursday, January 22, 2009

Spinach Madeleine

Have I ever told you how much I adore spinach? I adore spinach! There I've said it!

Spinach does not get a whole lot of attention at our house; my husband doesn't care for it at all. But since it's a new year and change is afoot, it was time to satisfy my yearning for my favorite veggie.


Spinach Madeleine, is adapted from River Roads Recipes I and tweaked by me. This gives spinach a whole other dimension. You have to try this, or, or, you life will be de-void of purpose. Not really, but you really have to try Spinach Madeleine.




Empty a bag (10 ounces, I think) of frozen spinach into a sauce pan and cover with beef, vegetable or chicken broth. Beef broth was used here. Season with salt and pepper. cover and bring to a boil, lower heat and simmer for 3 minutes. Drain spinach and reserve 1/2 cup of liquid.




Melt 3 tablespoons of butter over medium heat and add 2 tablespoons of all-purpose flour. Stir until blended and smooth. Cook off flour taste about 3 minutes, while continuously stirring. Add 1 shallot finely chopped and 1/2 of a de-seeded jalapeno finely chopped to roux. Cook about 3 more minutes. Slowly add the reserved liquid and stir constantly to avoid lumps. Add 1/2 cup of evaporated milk and keep stirring. Mixture will be very thick and dough-like. Then add 1/2 teaspoon of black pepper, 1/2 teaspoon of nutmeg, 3/4 teaspoon celery salt, 3/4 teaspoon garlic powder, 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce, cayenne pepper and salt to taste, 1/2 cup grated Romano cheese and 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese. Stir until cheese is melted, then add drained spinach.




Place spinach mixture into a buttered casserole dish. Dust with Italian bread crumbs and bake in a 350 degree oven for 20 minutes.
I slid this under the broiler for a few seconds to brown and crisp the bread crumbs.
I'll have to ask Duckie to write and "Ode to Spinach" for me!


28 comments:

Carol Murdock said...

I love Spinich ! I remember how years ago my kids always came home from school wearing, I ate my Spinich tags. I will try this one too.

gigi said...

I love spinach cooked or uncooked in salads. This sounds really good. My mama used to make a creamed spinach with boiled eggs in it. I was the only one of the kids that would eat it. I loved it and haven't had her's in years. Good memories this morning. Thanks.

Elizabeth said...

Hi Katherine! I'm so glad you stopped by to visit me. I love spinach as well, would eat it right out of the can when I was little. My sister from Seymour gave me a spinach recipe several years ago that have become a holiday/special event dish. It's called "Spinach Maria". Wonder if it's Madeleine's cousin or something?? Ha Ha. I'll have to post it one day. It's very versatile and can be used as a side-dish or a dip. Please come back and visit me again!
~Elizabeth

Sara said...

I love spinach too, I usually keep a bag in the freezer, and I love spinach in salad form. This sounds delicious, will have to give it a try.

Karen said...

I make this ALL the time!!! My favorite dish. I used to only make it at Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Years. One day I did Thanksgiving dinner (my favorite) in July and my husband told me - you know babe, you can make the spinach all year round, you don't have to wait for a holiday. Duh!! Yum, yum, yum, one of my favorite cookbooks, too. Much better than plain old creamed spinach. So glad I found your blog.

Jennifer said...

I adore spinach too but hardly eat it as my husband does not. Gosh this looks soo good I want to squeal!

Debbie said...

Now that looks delicious. I have to try it!

Jenny said...

Oh my Katherine, I too love spinach. I feel like I make everything "florentine." This dish looks absolutely delish! Have a great day!

Anonymous said...

I absolutely have to make this for my family - they will love the spinach and the jalapeno and the cheese. Yum!

Tiffany said...

I love spinach! I find myself never cooking it though since my husband hates it. This recipe looks wonderful! I may be in your neck of the woods this weekend. We are thinking about leaving tomorrw afternoon and coming up for a weekend trip.

Greg C said...

I like mine raw or steamed with a bit of butter on it. I would give this a try though. What time is dinner?

Dewi said...

Same here Katherine. My family love spinach, they love it so much, that I grow it myself in my veggy garden. I'm so glad that my son can eat huge amount of it. Your recipe is quite tempting. Sounds really delicious.
Cheers,
Elra

Pam said...

I love spinach too. This looks so delicious - I've never had it before.

Gladys said...

OMG I could just kiss you! I mean you are supposed to kiss the cook aren't you?

I have been trying to find out what this was called and how to make it. I had it at a resturant and it was scrumptious.

Ralonda said...

omgosh that looks (and sounds delicious!
i love spinach!

pam said...

My highschool boyfriend's mother used to make something like this. I loved it! I can't wait to try this.

Marjie said...

I have a house full of spinach lovers here, too. Fresh, frozen, cooked, raw, makes no difference. Looks good to me!

La Bella Cooks said...

This looks like it has a healthy yet decadent aspect to it. I love that! I am a big fan of spinach as well and am on the hunt lately for new ways to use it. This is a perfect recipe.

Reeni said...

I'm the only one in my family who loves spinach! If I made this lovely dish I would get to eat it all my self. I would be a very lucky and happy girl!! YUM!!

Maria said...

I love spinach too! What a great dish!

NKP said...

That does look delicious! I love spinach too - and cheese!

Paula said...

I love your ode to spinach! What a terrific recipe! I don't think I've ever cooked spinach in broth, and I'm sitting here wondering why I never thought of that! Of course, the other steps in this recipe really put this spinach over the top. YUM, YUM, YUM!

Andrea said...

I love spinach too....this recipe looks fantastic! On my list for this weekend! :)

pigpigscorner said...

Looks and sounds amazing! I love creamy cheesy spinach!

The Blonde Duck said...

I'm on it! :) And this looks great! YUM!!!

Cynthia Pittmann said...

Okay, now I have to try some of these fabulous foods! I see two postings that inspire me to cook.

Cynthia Pittmann said...

Btw, I confess that I heap Spinach on a plate microwave it for 1 minute. I eat it with olive oil and a touch of salt. No fuss spinach...or I'll just eat it raw in a salad.

John Roberts said...

I LOVE spinach, and this might be my favorite spinach dish!