Rich & Creamy Spinach Delight
Indulge in this elegant and decadent dish that hails from a renowned restaurant in Knoxville, TN. This Rich & Creamy Spinach Delight serves as a luxurious side dish that perfectly complements any meal or can function as a hearty dip for your favorite dippers. The recipe utilizes frozen spinach to create a velvety cream sauce that is rich with the flavors of sautéed onions, tangy sour cream, and sharp parmesan cheese. Perfect for dinner parties, family gatherings, or cozy nights in, this versatile dish can be adjusted in thickness to suit your preference, making it a sure hit for any occasion.
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
13
Ingredients
Ingredients
Frozen spinach
4 (10 ounce boxes, thawed and drained)
Heavy whipping cream
1 (quart, warmed)
Butter
4 (tablespoons, melted)
Onion
1/2 (cup, minced)
Garlic-flavored oil
1 1/8 (teaspoons)
Hot water
1/2 (cup)
Instant chicken bouillon granules
1/8 (cup)
Tabasco sauce
1 1/8 (teaspoons)
Salt
1 1/2 (teaspoons)
Sour cream
1/2 (cup)
Cornstarch
1/3 (cup)
Cold water
1/2 (cup)
Parmesan cheese
1 1/2 (cups, grated)
Instructions
1
Begin by thawing the frozen spinach completely and squeezing out any excess moisture with paper towels. This step is crucial to prevent the dish from becoming watery.
2
In a large casserole dish, place the dry spinach evenly and set aside.
3
In a saucepan over low-medium heat, gently heat the heavy cream until warm, but do not allow it to boil. Once heated, remove from heat and set aside.
4
In a large pot, melt the butter over medium-high heat. Add the minced onion and garlic-flavored oil, sautéing until the onions are soft and translucent, about 3-5 minutes.
5
Carefully pour in the hot water, then add the instant chicken bouillon granules, Tabasco sauce, salt, and sour cream. Whisk the mixture until fully combined.
6
Increase the heat to medium-high and bring the mixture to a gentle boil. Gradually whisk in the warm heavy cream until well combined.
7
In a small bowl, combine the cornstarch and cold water, stirring to dissolve the cornstarch completely.
8
Continuously whisking the sauce, add the cornstarch mixture to the boiling sauce. Keep whisking until the sauce thickens and becomes smooth, ensuring that no lumps form.
9
Once thickened, remove the pot from heat and mix in the grated parmesan cheese, whisking until melted and smooth.
10
Incorporate the seasoned sauce into the casserole dish with spinach, stirring gently to blend everything well.
11
Serve warm as a rich side dish or as a delightful dip with your favorite dippers.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Rich & Creamy Spinach Delight?
It is an elegant and decadent side dish or dip featuring frozen spinach and a velvety cream sauce, originally from a restaurant in Knoxville, TN.
Can I serve this dish as a dip?
Yes, this versatile dish can function as a hearty dip for your favorite dippers or as a luxurious side dish.
How should the frozen spinach be prepared?
The spinach should be thawed completely and then squeezed with paper towels to remove all excess moisture.
Why is it important to drain the spinach?
Removing the moisture is crucial to prevent the cream sauce from becoming watery.
What type of cream is used in this recipe?
The recipe calls for one quart of heavy whipping cream.
How do I heat the heavy cream?
Gently heat the cream in a saucepan over low-medium heat until warm, but do not let it boil.
What are the aromatics used in the base?
The base uses minced onion and garlic-flavored oil sautéed in butter.
How long should I sauté the onions?
Sauté the onions for approximately 3 to 5 minutes until they are soft and translucent.
What provides the savory depth to the sauce?
The savory flavor comes from instant chicken bouillon granules and garlic-flavored oil.
Is this recipe spicy?
It contains 1 1/8 teaspoons of Tabasco sauce, which provides a hint of flavor and mild heat without being overly spicy.
How much parmesan cheese is required?
The recipe requires 1.5 cups of grated parmesan cheese.
When do I add the parmesan cheese?
Mix in the parmesan cheese after the sauce has thickened and been removed from the heat.
How is the sauce thickened?
The sauce is thickened using a slurry made of cornstarch and cold water.
What is the ratio for the cornstarch slurry?
Combine 1/3 cup of cornstarch with 1/2 cup of cold water and stir until completely dissolved.
Can I use fresh garlic instead of garlic-flavored oil?
While the recipe specifies garlic-flavored oil, you could substitute fresh minced garlic if needed, though the flavor profile may vary.
What role does sour cream play in this recipe?
Sour cream adds a tangy flavor and contributes to the overall creamy texture of the sauce.
How many boxes of spinach do I need?
You will need four 10-ounce boxes of frozen spinach.
Is this recipe vegetarian?
The recipe uses chicken bouillon; to make it vegetarian, substitute with an equal amount of vegetable bouillon.
What temperature should the water be for the bouillon?
The recipe specifies using 1/2 cup of hot water to help dissolve the bouillon granules.
How do I avoid lumps in the sauce?
Continuously whisk the mixture while gradually adding the cornstarch slurry to ensure a smooth consistency.
What type of dish is used for assembly?
The dish is assembled in a large casserole dish where the spinach and sauce are blended together.
Can I adjust the thickness of the final dish?
Yes, the recipe is versatile and the thickness can be adjusted to your personal preference by varying the simmering time or cornstarch.
How should this dish be served?
It should be served warm to maintain its rich and creamy consistency.
Is this recipe good for parties?
Yes, it is categorized as party food and is excellent for dinner parties or family gatherings.
How many ingredients are in this recipe?
There are 13 total ingredients in this Rich & Creamy Spinach Delight.
What is the preparation time for the onions?
The onions should be minced and will take about 3-5 minutes to sauté properly.
Should the butter be melted before sautéing?
Yes, melt 4 tablespoons of butter in a large pot over medium-high heat before adding the onions.
What happens if I boil the heavy cream early?
You should avoid boiling the cream during the warming stage to prevent it from scorching or separating; only boil it once mixed with the other ingredients.
What kind of oil is used?
The recipe specifically calls for 1 1/8 teaspoons of garlic-flavored oil.
Does this recipe use salt?
Yes, it uses 1.5 teaspoons of salt to season the cream sauce.