Lighter Creamed Spinach Recipes

BEST HEALTHY CREAMED SPINACH

Steps:

• COOK SPINACH: Cook frozen spinach in microwave as per package instructions. I add a teaspoon of water and microwave it, covered, for 3 1/2 minutes on High. Drain in strainer, squeezing out as much moisture as possible. It's ok if a little bit remains. Note 1 for using fresh spinach.
• MAKE CREAM SAUCE: Heat butter and/or oil on medium heat in a medium saucepan. Add onions and sauté gently for 3 minutes. Add garlic and sauté another 30 seconds. Mix in flour to make a roux. Stir for 2 minutes until it turns pale brown. Don't let it get dark. Add any combination of milk and cream that you like to equal 1 1/2 cups/354 ml. I generally use mostly fat free or 2% milk and about 1/4 cup half and half (10%) cream. Stir until thickened, about 5 minutes. Add salt, black pepper and nutmeg (if using) to your taste.
• COMBINE: Stir in cooked well-squeezed-out chopped spinach. Add Parmesan cheese if using. If mixture is too thick, add more milk until desired consistency is reached. Taste and adjust seasonings. Serve immediately. Note 3 to make ahead.

CREAMED SPINACH - LIGHTENED UP

Steps:

• In a large saute pan, melt butter. Add shallots and garlic and cook on medium about 5 minutes.
• Add flour to shallots, mix well and cook one more minute.
• Reduce heat to low and slowly add milk, whisking well.
• Add parmesan cheese, nutmeg, salt and pepper and mix well.
• Add boursin light and mix with until smooth.
• Add spinach and combine well with sauce, cook one minute, until heated through. Adjust salt and pepper if necessary.

LIGHTER CREAMED SPINACH

Steps:

• Gently melt the soft cheese in a medium saucepan. When melted, add the spinach and stir well to combine. Heat gently until warmed through. Add the nutmeg, season, then serve immediately.

FAST AND EASY CREAMED SPINACH

Steps:

• Pour olive oil into a large soup pot, place over high heat, add spinach, and cover. Cook for 1 minute, uncover, and lightly stir until most of the leaves are bright green and wilted, about 2 minutes. Quickly drain spinach in a strainer and transfer to a plate lined with 4 or 5 paper towels. Once cool enough to handle, squeeze as much liquid from the spinach as possible. Transfer spinach to a cutting board and coarsely chop.
• Mix salt, black pepper, cayenne pepper, and nutmeg in a small bowl.
• Place a large skillet over medium heat, melt butter in skillet, and stir shallot in the hot butter until just barely golden and translucent, 3 to 4 minutes. Stir seasoning mixture into shallot mixture and pour in cream. Raise heat to medium-high and reduce cream sauce to about half, about 5 minutes. Stir in lemon zest.
• Reduce heat to low and toss spinach with cream sauce in skillet. Cook and stir until spinach is heated through and coated, about 2 minutes. Stir Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese into spinach until thoroughly combined; serve immediately.

CREAMED SPINACH

Steps:

• Squeeze all of the water from the spinach. In a large saucepan, heat the oil over medium heat. Add the shallots and cook, stirring, until softened, about 2 minutes. Add the flour to the pan and cook, stirring, for 30 seconds. Add the low-fat milk and broth and cook, scraping up any bits from the bottom of the pan. Bring to a simmer and cook 2 minutes.
• Add the spinach and simmer until tender, about 5 minutes. Stir in the evaporated milk and nutmeg, and season with salt and pepper.

CREAMED SPINACH

Steps:

• Squeeze all of the water from the spinach. In a large pan, heat the oil over a medium heat. Add the shallots and cook, stirring, until softened, about 2 minutes. Add the flour and cook, stirring, for 30 seconds. Add the milk and broth and cook, scraping up any bits from the bottom of the pan. Bring to a simmer and cook for 2 minutes. Add the spinach and simmer until tender, about 5 minutes. Stir in the evaporated milk and nutmeg and season to taste with salt and pepper.
• Excellent source of: Protein, Vitamin A, Riboflavin, Folate, Calcium, Magnesium, Manganese, Potassium
• Good source of: Fiber, Thiamin, Vitamin B6, Vitamin C, Vitamin D, Copper, Iodine, Iron, Phosphorus, Selenium

LIGHT CREAMED SPINACH

Steps:

• Heat oil. Add onions.
• Add spinach.
• Add lemon juice and cream when spinanch is cooked, followed by cheese. Stir briskly to mix and serve.

LIGHT CREAMED SPINACH

Steps:

• 1. Boil the washed spinach in a medium-sized saucepan. Drain thoroughly in a colander.
• 2. Return the drained spinach to the saucepan. Add either the olive oil or the water, and the garlic. Simmer on medium heat for about 5-7 minutes.
• 3. Add the yogurt to the spinach and garlic mixture, and cook on medium to low heat until well blended.
• 4. Serve warm as a side dish for meat or other vegetables, or as an accompaniment to baked or boiled potatoes. Crusty rolls or garlic/French bread also go well with this dish.