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This dish is absolutely wonderful! It's a family favorite at our house for all holidays and special occasions. Even children like this spinach dish!
I was taught how to make this German recipe by my children's grandmother.
This is one of those recipe where I normally buy
a large amount (and I mean large amount) of spinach, and then decide how much
Cream Sauce we will need to make. Be flexible! Once you make this recipe the
first time, you will understand why I just do it and don't usually follow a
recipe.
I've made this photo tutorial of this recipe
especially for my two daughters, Brenda Weller and Nancy Hartman.
Don't
forget to check
out my
Thanksgiving Turkey Dinner Menu
and
German Roulade Dinner Dinner Menu
which
includes
German Cream Spinach.
German Creamed Spinach Recipe:
Below are two versions of this recipe. One for a
small family group of 4 to 6 people and one for a large family group of 10 to 12
people:
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Small Family Group of
4 to 6 people:
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Large Family Group of
10 to 12 people:
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2 to 3 large bunches fresh
spinach leaves
Coarse salt
and freshly ground
black pepper to taste
Hard-cooked eggs, for garnish*
Cream Sauce (see recipe below)
*Check out
How To Boil Eggs.
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2 (40-ounce) bags or 5 pounds fresh
spinach leaves
Coarse
salt and freshly ground
black pepper to taste
6
Hard-cooked eggs, for garnish*
Cream Sauce (see recipe below)
*Check out
How To Boil Eggs.
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Wash spinach leaves thoroughly.
I fill my sink with cold water
and place the spinach leaves in to soak a few minutes. Punch down to wet all the
leaves, then grab handfuls of spinach (not drained) dripping with the water into
your cooking pot. This will provide enough water so that you do not need to add
more. |
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Wash spinach leaves thoroughly.
I fill my sink with cold water
and place the spinach leaves in to soak a few minutes. Punch down to wet all the
leaves, then grab handfuls of spinach (not drained) dripping with the water into
your cooking pot. This will provide enough water so that you do not need to add
more.
NOTE: As you can see, it takes a lot of spinach to feed
my family their favorite dish! |
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In a large pot, covered, cook spinach until tender.
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In a large pot or pots, covered, cook spinach until tender.
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As soon as spinach is thoroughly wilted, remove from heat, and drain in a colander
or strainer, pressing with the back of a kitchen spoon to squeeze out excess liquid.
(This step is very important.)
NOTE: From a large pot full to
what seems like very little spinach! There will be enough, so don't worry! |
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As soon as spinach is thoroughly wilted, remove from heat, and drain in a colander
or strainer, pressing with the back of a kitchen spoon to squeeze out excess liquid.
(This step is very important.)
NOTE: From a large pot full to
what seems like very little spinach! There will be enough, so don't worry! |
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Transfer drained spinach to a cutting board and chop spinach very fine.
NOTE: Up to this point, the
spinach can be prepared in advanced and stored in the refrigerator, covered, 1 to 2 days. |
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Transfer drained spinach to a cutting board and chop spinach very fine.
NOTE: Up to this point, the
spinach can be prepared in advanced and stored in the refrigerator, covered, 1 to 2 days. |
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When ready to serve, prepare Cream Sauce. NOTE:
If spinach bunches are extra large, you
probably will need to double the Cream Sauce recipe. CREAM SAUCE:
4 tablespoon butter
4 tablespoon finely chopped
onion
4 tablespoons all-purpose
flour
Coarse salt
and freshly ground
black pepper to taste
3 to 4 cups milk*
* Depending on how thick you
want the sauce will determine how much milk to use.In a
large frying pan or large pot over medium-low heat, melt butter. Add onions and
cook until they are translucent and soft (about 10 to 15 minutes).
NOTE: Sautéing the onions in the butter is the secret to
this delicious sauce. DO NOT SKIP THIS STEP.
Add flour to the butter/onion mixture and blend thoroughly. When perfectly
blended, smooth, and free from lumps (but not in the least browned),
add salt and pepper. Gradually stir in the milk; reduce heat to low and cook, stirring constantly, until sauce boils (may use some spinach juice in place of milk).
Remove from heat.
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When ready to serve, prepare Cream Sauce.
CREAM SAUCE:
1 1/4 cups butter
1 to 2 large onion, finely chopped onion
1 1/4 cups all-purpose
flour
Coarse salt
and freshly ground
black pepper to taste
10 to 12 cups milk*
*
Depending on how thick you want the sauce will determine how much milk to use. In a large large
pot over medium-low heat, melt butter. Add onions and cook until they are
translucent and soft (about 10 to 15 minutes). NOTE: Sautéing the onions in the butter is the secret to
this delicious sauce. DO NOT SKIP THIS STEP.
Add flour to the butter/onion mixture and blend thoroughly. When
perfectly blended, smooth, and free from lumps (but not in the least
browned), add salt and pepper. Gradually stir in the milk; reduce heat to low and cook, stirring constantly, until sauce boils (may use some spinach juice in place of milk).
Remove from heat. |
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In a medium bowl, mix together Cream Sauce and chopped spinach.
Season with salt and pepper and garnish with hard-cooked egg slices.
Serve warm.
Makes 6 to 8 servings.
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In a large bowl or bowls, mix together Cream Sauce and chopped spinach.
Season with salt and pepper and garnish with hard-cooked egg slices.
Serve warm.
Makes 10 to 12 servings.
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