Creamy Baked Spinach and Eggs Delight
Indulge in this rich and healthy Creamy Baked Spinach and Eggs Delight, a quintessential breakfast that's not only packed with flavor but also a nutritious way to start your day. This recipe combines tender spinach with a creamy sauce that's elevated by nutmeg and cheese, all baked to perfection with fresh eggs nestled on top. Perfect for a family brunch or an elegant breakfast-for-dinner option, this dish is best served with toasted sourdough bread for a delightful crunch.
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
11
Ingredients
Ingredients
Cooking spray (olive oil)
to taste (for greasing dishes)
Spinach (English leaves, stems removed)
180 g (washed and chopped)
Light olive oil spread
1 tablespoon (for cooking)
Plain flour
2 1/2 tablespoons (for thickening the sauce)
Skim milk
2 cups (for the cheese sauce)
Grated cheese (fat-reduced tasty or cheddar)
1/2 cup (for mixing into sauce)
Ground nutmeg
1/4 teaspoon (for seasoning)
Eggs
6 (at room temperature)
Spring onions
4 (finely chopped)
Cayenne pepper
1 pinch (for sprinkling on top)
Sourdough bread
4 slices (toasted and lightly buttered for serving)
Instructions
1
Preheat your oven to 180°C (160°C for fan-forced).
2
Lightly spray four 1-cup capacity ovenproof dishes with olive oil cooking spray and set aside.
3
In a medium saucepan, add the spinach and 1 tablespoon of water. Cook over moderate heat for about 3 minutes, stirring until the spinach is wilted. Drain the spinach, let it cool, squeeze out any excess liquid, and then chop it coarsely.
4
In a small saucepan, melt the olive oil spread over moderate heat. Add the plain flour and cook, stirring continuously for about 1 minute, until bubbling. Remove from heat.
5
Gradually stir in the skim milk, increase the heat to moderately high, and continue stirring until the mixture comes to a boil and thickens slightly. Once thickened, remove from heat and stir in the grated cheese and ground nutmeg until smooth.
6
In a bowl, whisk in 2 of the eggs until well blended. Then fold in the cooked spinach and chopped spring onions into the cheese sauce until combined.
7
Divide the mixture evenly among the prepared dishes. Using the back of a spoon, create a small indent in the center of each dish and gently break an egg into each indent.
8
Sprinkle a pinch of cayenne pepper over the top of each dish and place them on a baking tray.
9
Bake in the preheated oven for 18 to 20 minutes or until the eggs are just set but the yolks remain slightly runny. Allow the ramekins to stand for 5 minutes before serving, paired with buttered toast to soak up the delicious flavors.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Creamy Baked Spinach and Eggs Delight?
It is a nutritious breakfast dish featuring wilted spinach in a creamy cheese and nutmeg sauce, topped with baked eggs and served with sourdough toast.
How many eggs are required for this recipe?
The recipe requires a total of 6 eggs: 2 are whisked into the sauce and 4 are cracked on top before baking.
What is the recommended oven temperature?
Preheat your oven to 180°C, or 160°C if you are using a fan-forced oven.
What type of spinach should I use?
The recipe calls for 180g of English spinach leaves with the stems removed.
How do I prepare the spinach for the sauce?
Cook the spinach with a tablespoon of water for 3 minutes until wilted, drain, squeeze out excess liquid, and chop coarsely.
What kind of fat is used to make the sauce?
The recipe uses 1 tablespoon of light olive oil spread to create the roux.
How much flour is needed for the creamy sauce?
You will need 2 1/2 tablespoons of plain flour to thicken the sauce.
What type of milk is used in the cheese sauce?
The recipe specifies 2 cups of skim milk for a lighter version of the creamy sauce.
What type of cheese is recommended?
Use 1/2 cup of fat-reduced tasty or cheddar cheese, grated.
What spice gives the sauce its signature flavor?
Ground nutmeg (1/4 teaspoon) is used to season the cheese sauce.
How many servings does this recipe provide?
This recipe is designed to fill four 1-cup capacity ovenproof dishes.
How do I incorporate the eggs into the mixture?
Two eggs are whisked and then folded into the cheese sauce along with the cooked spinach and spring onions.
How should the ovenproof dishes be prepared?
Lightly spray four 1-cup capacity dishes with olive oil cooking spray to prevent sticking.
When do I add the spring onions?
Fold 4 finely chopped spring onions into the cheese sauce along with the spinach and whisked eggs.
How do I place the eggs on top of the spinach mixture?
Use the back of a spoon to create a small indent in the center of each dish and gently break an egg into it.
What is sprinkled on top before baking?
A pinch of cayenne pepper is sprinkled over each dish for a bit of heat and color.
How long does the dish need to bake?
Bake the dishes for 18 to 20 minutes in the preheated oven.
How can I tell when the eggs are done?
The eggs are ready when the whites are just set but the yolks remain slightly runny.
Is there a resting period after baking?
Yes, allow the ramekins to stand for 5 minutes before serving.
What is the best way to serve this dish?
It is best served with toasted and lightly buttered sourdough bread to soak up the sauce and egg yolks.
Is this recipe suitable for vegetarians?
Yes, this is a vegetarian-friendly recipe containing eggs, cheese, and vegetables.
Can I use frozen spinach instead of fresh?
While fresh English spinach is specified, you could use frozen spinach if it is thawed and squeezed very dry to match the 180g requirement.
How do I make the roux for the sauce?
Melt the olive oil spread, add the flour, and cook while stirring continuously for about 1 minute until bubbling.
How do I thicken the milk mixture?
Gradually stir in the milk and increase the heat to moderately high, stirring until the mixture boils and thickens.
What size ramekins are needed?
You should use ovenproof dishes with a 1-cup (approximately 250ml) capacity.
Can this be served for dinner?
Absolutely, it makes for an elegant breakfast-for-dinner or a sophisticated family brunch option.
What color should the sauce be?
The sauce will be a creamy white or light yellow color from the cheese and milk.
How much cayenne pepper is used?
Only a small pinch per dish is needed to provide a subtle kick.
Should the eggs be cold when used?
The recipe recommends using eggs that are at room temperature for more even cooking.
What is the main nutritional focus of this dish?
It focuses on being a rich yet healthy start to the day, high in protein and nutrients from fresh spinach.