Creamed Bitter Greens
You can choose to keep the fat calories down by using milk rather than the traditional cream. Also, hard cheeses like Reggiano Parmesan contained 1/3 less fat on average than soft cheeses. Frozen spinach is recommended as it is more convenient and freezing doesn’t affect the nutrient levels in the spinach. Feel free to substitute a portion of the spinach with other frozen leafy greens such as chard, kale or collard.
4 bunches leafy greens (kale, chard, mustard, collard, dandelion) |
2 tablespoon olive oil |
4 cloves garlic, minced |
3 shallots, minced |
Pinch red pepper flakes |
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper |
1/2 cup freshly grated Reggiano Parmesan cheese |
Juice of 1 lemon |
For the white sauce: |
8 tablespoons unsalted butter |
1/2 cup flour |
4 cups nonfat milk (or 1%, 2% or whole) |
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper |
- Pre-heat oven to 350û F
- Wash and dry the greens well. Remove the stalks from the greens, if any, and cut into a small dice. Roll the trimmed greens together and cut into 1/2 Ò strips.
- In a large sauce pan or stockpot, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and shallots and sautˇ until soft. Add the greens strips and toss well. Cover and allow to steam until softened and wilted Season with Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper. Remove from heat and set aside.
- To make the sauce: In a medium sauce pan over medium-high heat melt the butter. When the butter has melted and becomes frothy, add the flour all at once and using a whisk quickly blend the flour with the butter. Stirring constantly, allow the flour/butter mixture to cook for a minute or so.
- Slowly begin adding the milk. (The mixture will thicken quickly at first, but will thin as the remaining milk in added). Once all the milk has been added continue to whisk, bringing the mixture to a boil. If the mixture is too thick add more milk until a pourable consistency is reached. Season to taste with salt and pepper, remove from heat and set aside.
- In one-quart baking dish place the sautˇed greens and add the white sauce. Mix the greens with the sauce until well combined and evenly distributed. Top with the grated parmesan cheese.
- Cover the baking dish with a lid or foil and bake for 30 minutes or until bubbly. Remove the cover and bake for an additional 15 minutes or until the top is golden brown.
Serves 8