Creamed Spinach Berghoff--Chicago |
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Prep Time: 30 Minutes Cook Time: 0 Minutes |
Ready In: 30 Minutes Servings: 4 |
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The Berghoff in Chicago is closed now, after 107 years. My parents used to take us kids to Chicago at least annually; morning was spent at one of the many wonderful museums, the afternoon at Marshall Field's (also sadly gone now) and lunch always at The Berghoff. And, of course, we all loved the creamed spinach (and the fresh rootbeer and the weinerschnitzel...). Many years ago, my mom was thrilled when Creamed Spinach Berghoff was printed in the You Asked for It column in Gourmet magazine; she passed it on to me. I admit that I use a 10 oz box of frozen spinach; otherwise I follow the recipe faithfully. Ingredients:
1 lb spinach, trimmed and well-washed |
1 onion, minced |
2 tablespoons unsalted butter |
3 slices bacon, minced |
2 tablespoons flour |
1 cup half-and-half cream, scalded |
1/8-1/4 teaspoon nutmeg, freshly grated, to taste |
salt |
Directions:
1. In a saucepan of boiling salted water, blanch 1# spinach for one minute.
2. Drain it in a colander and refresh it under cold running water.
3. Squeeze the spinach well and with a stainless steel knife, chop it fine.
4. In a small skillet, cook 1 onion, minced, in 2 T unsalted butter, over moderately low heat, stirring, for 5 minutes or until it is softened.
5. In a heavy saucepan, cook 3 slices of bacon, minced, over moderately low heat, until they are crispy.
6. Add 2 T flour to the bacon and cook the roux, stirring, for 3 minutes.
7. Add 1 C scalded half and half cream in a stream, whisking.
8. Whisk the mixture until it is smooth and simmer it for 10 minutes.
9. Stir in spinach, the onion and freshly grated netmeg and salt to taste.
10. Transfer to a heated serving dish.
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