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    Creamy Spinach Casserole


    Source of Recipe


    country living


    Recipe Introduction


    Creamed spinach substitutes milk for some heavy cream and gets zip from lemon juice and zest. When using fresh spinach, the key to success lies in soaking it in cool water and gently lifting it, leaving any grit behind.


    List of Ingredients


    • 1 cup milk
    • 1 cup cream
    • 2 cloves
    • 1 bay leaf
    • 1 teaspoon salt
    • 5 slices bacon, cut into 1-inch pieces
    • 2 1/2 pounds fresh spinach leaves
    • 3 tablespoons butter
    • 1 cup diced onions
    • 2 garlic cloves, chopped
    • 2 tablespoons flour
    • 1 cup grated Gruyère cheese
    • 2 tablespoons lemon zest
    • 1 tablespoon lemon juice
    • 1/4 teaspoon fresh-ground black pepper


    Instructions


    1. Preheat oven to 350° F.
    2. Bring the milk, cream, cloves, bay leaf, and 1/4 teaspoon salt to a boil in a medium saucepan. Reduce heat to medium low and simmer for 10 minutes. Remove from heat and strain the milk mixture into a clean saucepan. Cover the saucepan to keep it warm and set aside.
    3. Cook the bacon in a large skillet over medium heat until browned and crisp; drain, reserving 3 tablespoons of fat.
    4. In the same skillet, use 1 tablespoon of reserved bacon fat to cook 1/3 of the spinach until it is wilted. Transfer to a large bowl and season with 1/4 teaspoon salt. Repeat in two more batches with remaining spinach, bacon fat, and salt. Squeeze all liquid out of the spinach, chop finely, and set aside in a large bowl.
    5. Melt the butter in a medium skillet over medium heat. Add the onions and garlic and cook until soft -- about 10 minutes.
    6. Add the flour and cook, stirring, until lightly golden. Add the hot milk mixture and bring to a boil. Add the cheese, lemon zest, lemon juice, pepper, and crumbled bacon and whisk until smooth.
    7. Pour the cream sauce over the spinach and stir to combine. Transfer spinach mixture to an 11-inch round baking dish and bake until the top is lightly browned -- about 35 minutes. Serve immediately.


    Final Comments


    Yields: 6 servings


 

 

 


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