Creamed Spinach

Ingredients

• 4 pounds spinach leaves, rinsed and drained
• 1 1/2 tablespoons butter or olive oil
• 1 onion (12 oz.), peeled and finely chopped
• 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 3/4 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1 1/2 cups fat-skimmed chicken broth
• 1 1/2 cups whipping cream
• 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
• 1 cup shredded Gruyère or Swiss cheese

Preparation

1. 1. Fill a 6- to 8-quart pan over high heat with spinach and turn frequently with a wide spatula; add more spinach as leaves wilt and shrink. When all the spinach is added and wilted, in 8 to 10 minutes, cook and stir leaves about 1 minute longer. Pour spinach into a colander to drain. Rinse and dry pan.
2. 2. Melt butter in pan over medium-high heat. Add onion; stir often until limp, about 5 minutes. Add flour, nutmeg, and thyme. Stir until flour is golden, 1 to 2 minutes. Remove from heat and whisk in broth, cream, and salt until mixture is smooth. Return to heat; stir until boiling, then reduce heat and simmer gently, stirring often, to blend flavors, 5 minutes.
3. 3. Meanwhile, whirl spinach in a food processor or use a knife to chop coarsely.
4. 4. Add chopped spinach to the cream sauce. Stir until bubbling. Pour into a shallow 3-quart casserole.
5. 5. Bake in a 375° regular or convection oven until bubbling at edges, 6 to 8 minutes. Sprinkle with cheese and bake until melted, about 5 minutes longer. Serve hot.