Creamed Spinach And Parsnips Recipes

PARSNIP PUREE

Steps:

• Put parsnips in a pot, season with salt and cover with milk and cream. Add garlic, bay and thyme then place over medium heat and bring to a simmer. Cook until tender, the tip of a paring knife should easily go through without resistance - about 12 to 15 minutes.
• Place parsnips in a food processor with butter and pour in enough of the milk mixture to puree the parsnips and achieve the texture of whipped cream. Season with salt and pepper then finish with a sprinkle of parsley.

CREAMED SPINACH

Steps:

• Wash the spinach in several changes of water to get rid of any grit. Drain the spinach but keep some of the water clinging to the leaves. Heat the butter and oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat and add the spinach and garlic. Cook, turning frequently, until the spinach has wilted down evenly. Remove the garlic and put the spinach into a colander and let it drain well. Press out as much liquid as you can from the leaves and chop them coarsely.
• Heat the skillet again over medium-high heat and add the cream and nutmeg; cook until it reduces a bit, about 5 minutes. Add the spinach and parmesan and season with salt and pepper. Cook until the spinach is hot, about 5 more minutes. Serve immediately.

CREAMED SPINACH

Steps:

• Heat 25g butter in a saucepan, then add 1 finely chopped small onion and cook for 5 mins until softened.
• Stir in 2 tbsp plain flour and cook for 2 mins, then slowly start to whisk in 200ml full-fat milk. When it has all been incorporated, gently cook for 5 mins until the sauce has thickened.
• Meanwhile, place two 200g bags spinach in a large colander. Pour over a kettle full of boiling water until the leaves have wilted (you may have to do this twice).
• Place the spinach in a clean dishcloth, squeeze out any excess liquid, then roughly chop.
• Stir into the sauce with 100ml single cream, gently heat, then finely grate over some fresh nutmeg and season well.

CREAMED PARSNIPS

Steps:

• Squeeze lemon juice over parsnips, ensuring all pieces are covered.
• Melt butter in a saucepan and add parsnips once it begins to foam. Stir to coat and then add water.
• Cook on low heat for 15 minutes until tender and broken down.
• Slowly bring the double cream to a gentle boil.
• Place the parsnips and cream in a blender, season with salt and pepper, and puree until smooth. They can also be pressed through a sieve after being pureed to ensure a smoother finish.

CREAMY PARSNIP & MUSTARD GRATIN

Steps:

• Slice enough parsnips thinly lengthways to cover the surface of a small ovenproof dish, then slice the rest thinly into rounds. Combine the milk, cream, stock, mustard and half the cheese in a large, lidded saucepan and bring to the boil. Add a good grating of nutmeg and some seasoning - the sweet parsnips can take a bit of salt - then tip in the parsnips. When the cream is simmering again, cover and cook for 6 mins.
• Using tongs, fish out the long slices of parsnip and set aside. Tip the rest into your dish, then arrange the long slices over the top. Scatter with the rest of the cheese and another grating of nutmeg. Can be chilled for up to 24 hrs.
• To serve, heat oven to 180C/fan 160C/gas 4 and bake for 1 hr, then turn up to 200C/fan 180C/gas 6 and brown for 15 mins more - you can do this while the pie is resting.