Fabulous Cheese Spinach
Note: Makes 4 servings. Total Carbohydrates: 24, Carbohydrates per Serving: 6
Ingredients:
1/2 cup grated gruyere cheese
1/2 cup ricotta cheese
1/4 cup crumbled gorgonzola or blue cheese
2 Tbsp. freshly grated Parmesan cheese
2 Tbsp. chopped fresh dill
1 large egg yolk
2 Tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil
2 10 oz. packages of fresh spinach, coarsely chopped.
Preheat the broiler to medium. Lightly butter 11-by 7-by 2-inch baking dish. Mix the cheeses, dill and egg yolk in a large bowl. Heat oil in a large pot over medium-high heat, and then add the garlic. Stir for a minute until fragrant. Pour into the prepared baking dish. Add the spinach to the pot and sauté until wilted. Transfer spinach to strainer; drain well. Pour over the garlic in the baking dish. Toss to coat with the oil and spread out evenly. Sprinkle with cheese mixture. Broil until cheese is golden on top, and the spinach is heated through.
Creamed Spinach with Garam Masala
Note: Serves 8. Total Carbohydrates: 85
This is excellent served with lamb as well as turkey. Garam masala is an East Indian blend of sweet spices, such as cinnamon, nutmeg and allspice. It is usually added at the last minute to cooked foods for an extra boost of flavor.
Ingredients:
4 lbs. fresh spinach, stemmed, washed and dried
1 Tbsp. unsalted butter
4 cloves garlic, minced
4 Tbsp. finely chopped shallots
2 cups whipping cream
1/2 tsp. salt
1 tsp. fennel seeds
1/2 tsp. garam masala
pinch of cayenne pepper
Coarsely chop the spinach and set aside. Melt the butter over medium heat in a large, heavy, preferably nonstick pot. Add the garlic and shallots and sauté until the shallots are translucent. Add the whipping cream and salt and bring to a simmer. Stir in the spinach by handfuls, adding more as it cooks down. Turn to low and cook, stirring frequently, until the spinach is extremely soft and the cream is almost absorbed, about 20 minutes. Heat a small frying pan over high heat. Add the fennel seeds and roast, shaking the pan, until the seeds turn one shade darker. Add to the spinach along with the garam masala and cayenne. Mix well.
Garam Masala (seasoning)
Note: Makes 1/4 cup. Garam Masala is a seasoning made by blending dry-roasted, ground spices, such as black pepper, cumin, cloves, and cardamom, used in the cooking of northern India.
Total Carbohydrates: 32, Carbohydrates per tsp.: 2
Make your own fresh garam masala and you will be amazed.
Ingredients:
2 Tbsp. whole cumin seeds
2 Tbsp. whole coriander seeds
2 tsp. cardamom seeds (seeds removed from the pods)
1 piece cinnamon stick, 3 inches (7.5-cm) long
3/4 tsp. whole cloves
1 Tbsp. black peppercorns
4 bay leaves
Heat a heavy frying pan over medium heat. Add the spices and roast, stirring constantly, until the spices are a few shades darker and are fragrant. Transfer to a plate and cool. Grind the spices to a powder in a spice mill, mortar and pestle or coffee grinder. Store in a covered jar.
