Creamed Spinach and Basil

[spottydingo]

I saw this recipe on Martha Stewart on Friday and tried it last night to accompany the roasted potatoes and chicken. Its a very interesting take on creamed spinach - the basil accentuates the other flavors in a really nice way. I only did 1/3 basil (since its not in season yet) and forgot to buy the fennel. I used one thai chili at the end, which added a nice undertone of heat. Next time I'll follow the recipe more closely but I think it was really good. One thing I'd suggest is chopping the spinach / basil a little more than "coarse" as the bigger bits were a bit chewy.

You can see the video on her website under the French Cooking episode.

Creamed Spinach and Basil (from the Martha Stewart show)

This creamed spinach recipe is courtesy of chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten and goes well with his roasted chicken and potatoes.

Ingredients

Serves 4

Coarse salt and freshly ground white pepper to taste
3 cups tightly packed spinach
3 cups tightly packed basil, finely chopped
1 tablespoon olive oil
4 tablespoons finely chopped shallots
2 teaspoons finely chopped garlic
3 tablespoons very finely chopped fennel
3 tablespoons very finely chopped celery
1 1/2 cups heavy cream
1/2 teaspoon very finely chopped Serrano chile (optional)

Directions

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add spinach and basil and cook until wilted. Immediately transfer to an ice-water bath. Drain and squeeze dry; coarsely chop and set aside.

Heat oil in a medium skillet over medium-high heat. Add garlic and shallots and cook until golden. Add fennel and celery and continue cooking until soft and translucent.

Add cream and let reduce until thickened, about 10 to 15 minutes. Add spinach, basil, and chile, if using; stir to combine. Cook until warmed through. Season with salt and pepper; serve immediately.

[luCKy]

Please bring me the left overs. Sounds yummy.

[lorisunshine]

It sounds really interesting. Does the Basil not overpower the delicate flavour of the spinach. You only used 1/3 of the receipe, would that not be plenty? Just wondering.

[spottydingo]

Originally Posted by lorisunshine

It sounds really interesting. Does the Basil not overpower the delicate flavour of the spinach. You only used 1/3 of the receipe, would that not be plenty? Just wondering.

Hi Lori, it was good the way I made it ... no, the basil didn't overpower but seemed to combine with the other flavors to be quite pleasant. You could also taste the garlic, shallots and celery, and I think the fennel would also add another dimension. As I said, next time (when the basil starts showing up in stores in big bunches) I'm going to try the recipe verbatim, as I'm curious. When I do I'll post my comments. The whole meal (as DH kept saying while eating it) was "restaurant quality" ... and I was pleased too (I am a harsher critic of my cooking than he is).

It was hard at moments but also great to cook such a meal without AL (cooking is a trigger for me, as I've been cooking / drinking together for years). I attribute the meal's success in a large part to being sober ... nothing was burnt or overcooked, I put away all the leftovers for tonight (gonna make chicken hash), and I even managed to keep the kitchen somewhat clean! But, on Day 3 (again) I'm going ODAT. Cheers.

[lorisunshine]

Spotty...........firstly I just love your name. I can just see you slinking around the bushes and lifting the occasional leg...........LOL.
I know all about being your own worst critic. Believe me, you rock and I don't even know you. I have a beloved recipe for creamed spinach and I simply cannot imagine all the other incrediences in it; but ever the pioneer I will definitely try it as soon as the fresh basil comes on the shelves.
Thanks for sharing.
Lori

[spottydingo]

hi Lori, thanks fo your nice reply!!! what a nice way to wake up!

I'm glad you get that "Spotty Dingo" is my dog (in the photo) ... sometimes I worry that it sounds too weird. But my dog is an Aussie Cattle Dog and they are bred with dingos (very interesting lineage actually) and he's spotty so its a nickname we gave him long ago. And, yes, he does lift his leg on everything (outside, happily) so another of his nicknames is "the Pee Master" or "Pee Meister". Gotta have many nicknames for pets!

I like your picture too. Is it a pet? I've always loved the idea of thoose really huge kitties that look like Cheetahs though I understand they're very expensive ... and can you imagine the size of the catbox??? We've always wanted a Maine Coon but other kitties seem to find us. We have 4, all of them rescues, plus the dingo, also a rescue. I just can't turn them away!

Cheers,
Tedi

[IAD]

" I 'm no chef, but why would you like to cream the hell out of spinach !?!

[lorisunshine]

Hi Tedi,
I too am back up to 3 cats -all of them pure bred alley varieties. One of them is a Main Coon and he is such a character. One day he just moved in when he was about 7 month. He just wouldn't take no for an answer. He absolutely loves children and my daughter used to torment him half to death, but he came back for more. I have a pic of Rossi in the gallery; he is our latest aquisition. He was half starved and really sick, so after paying @ 600 we have the happiest, craziest of cats. Lastly we have a little black girl. She must be part Persian, as she has a really dense black coat. She is a little stupid and really needy, but I love her anyway.
By the way, my avatar is a Margay, which is a central/south American wild cat. I first saw one in Costa Rica and fell in love with them, but I would never make a pet out of such a wild creature. They are becoming rare as well.
Ciao,
Lori

[spottydingo]

Originally Posted by IAD

" I no chef, but why would you like to cream the hell out of spinach !?!

IAD -- if you've never had creamed spinach you should try it sometime. its a southern thing ... sometimes served with grits. very yummy! usually i just steam it, the creamed variety is best left for special occasions. there's another recipe i have with bacon and pearl onions that works well with brunch but i've served it at thanksgiving as well.

[IAD]

Spotty,
I was just being facious.....I'm quite sure it's very delious. Will tell my Hon about it. LOL