Truffled Creamed Spinach Recipes

ABSOLUTELY THE BEST CREAMED SPINACH

Steps:

• COOK THE SPINACH (if using fresh spinach): Heat a very large, deep skillet over medium heat. Add all the spinach with the water still clinging to its leaves, you may have to firmly pack it. Cover the pan tightly (weight the lid down, if necessary). Leave the spinach to cook for about 2 minutes, then turn it over so that the wilted leaves are on the top. Cover and repeat the process a few times more, until all spinach is nicely wilted. Remove from the heat and cool to room temperature. Drain spinach and reserve the pot that you cooked the spinach inches DO NOT WASH OR WIPE CLEAN.
• If you don't have a salad spinner (OR if using frozen spinach), squeeze the spinach dry with your hands a little at a time, squeezing as much liquid as possible from the leaves. Use paper towels and gently blot the spinach to help it dry. Chop the spinach leaves coarsely and set aside.
• MAKE A ROUX: In a medium saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Stir in the flour with a wooden spoon, to make a loose paste. Cook for about 1 minute. As soon as it balls up into a paste, exchange the wooden spoon for a wire wisk and in a steady stream, whisk in the warm milk. Stir slowly, until the roux comes to a simmer, about 2 minutes, stirring continuously, until the sauce has thickened.
• Add the cream, salt, and pepper, and stir for 1 minute more. Remove the pan from the heat and stir in the cheese to melt.
• ONION MIXTURE: In the same skillet where the spinach was cooked, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the onion and garlic and saute, stirring occasionally, for about 5 minutes or until onions are translucent.
• ASSEMBLY: Add the cooked spinach and the cheese sauce to the pan and stir together over medium heat until well mixed and heated through. Taste for seasoning, and transfer to a heated and covered serving dish.

TRUFFLED CREAMED SPINACH

Steps:

• Heat large saucepan of water to boiling. Add spinach; boil 1 minute or just until wilted. Place spinach in colander; run under cold water until cool. Squeeze spinach dry; set aside.
• In small saucepan, melt 1 tablespoon butter. Stir in flour with whisk; cook 1 minute, stirring constantly, until mixture is smooth and bubbly. Gradually add milk, stirring constantly, until mixture boils and thickens. Stir in nutmeg, salt and pepper.
• Meanwhile, in large skillet, melt 1 1/2 teaspoons butter. Add onion and garlic; cook 3 to 5 minutes, stirring frequently, until softened.
• Place spinach on cutting board. With fingers, separate leaves as much as possible, then coarsely chop. Add spinach to skillet with onion and garlic. Pour white sauce over mixture; stir to combine. Cook 1 to 2 minutes or until thoroughly heated.
• Remove from heat; stir in truffle oil. Serve immediately.

BEEF TENDERLOIN WITH RED WINE SAUCE, CREAMED SPINACH, AND TRUFFLED FRENCH FRIES

Steps:

• For red wine sauce:
• Heat oil in heavy large saucepan over medium-high heat. Add shallots and mushrooms; sauté until tender, about 12 minutes. Sprinkle sugar over; sauté until mixture is deep brown, about 4 minutes longer. Add vinegar; stir until liquid evaporates, about 1 minute. Add wine; boil until reduced by half, about 20 minutes. Add both broths, thyme, peppercorns, and bay leaf; bring to boil. Reduce heat to medium; simmer uncovered 35 minutes to blend flavors, stirring occasionally.
• Strain sauce through fine strainer into small saucepan; discard solids. Mix butter and flour in small bowl. Bring sauce to simmer over medium-high heat; gradually whisk in flour mixture. Cook until sauce is reduced to 1 1/4 cups, about 5 minutes. (Sauce can be made 1 day ahead. Cover; chill. Rewarm over medium heat.)
• For beef tenderloin:
• Preheat oven to 350°F. Place rack on rimmed baking sheet. Sprinkle beef generously with salt and pepper. Heat oil in heavy large skillet over high heat. Add beef to skillet and cook until brown on all sides, about 5 minutes. Transfer beef to rack on baking sheet. Roast in oven until thermometer inserted into center of beef registers 120°F for medium-rare, about 35 minutes. Transfer beef to cutting board and let rest 10 minutes.
• Meanwhile, prepare creamed spinach:
• Boil whipping cream in heavy large pot until reduced by half, about 4 minutes. Add half of spinach to pot and toss just until spinach begins to wilt, about 1 minute. Add remaining spinach to pot; toss just until all spinach is wilted, about 2 minutes. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
• Cut beef tenderloin crosswise into 1/4-inch-thick slices. Divide creamed spinach among 6 plates. Top with beef slices, dividing equally. Spoon sauce over and around beef. Divide Truffled French Fries among plates and serve.

TRUFFLE CREAMED SPINACH AND FRIED OYSTERS

Steps:

• For the truffle creamed spinach: In a medium skillet over medium heat, heat the oil. When shimmering, add the onions and saute until translucent, 3 to 4 minutes. Remove excess liquid from the defrosted spinach by placing it in a colander or squeezing it in a dish towel. Finely chop the spinach, then add it to the skillet with the onions and cook for approximately 3 to 4 minutes. Add the truffle peelings, cream cheese, and heavy cream. Bring to a simmer and cook until liquid is reduced, approximately 10 minutes, stirring occasionally so nothing sticks to the bottom of the pan. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Set aside.
• For the oysters: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. In a Dutch oven fitted with a deep-fry thermometer, heat the oil to 375 degrees F.
• Place the shucked oysters on paper towels to dry. Place the oyster shells on a sheet pan and fill the shells with the creamed spinach mixture. Place the shells in the oven for approximately 10 minutes or until the spinach is slightly toasted on top.
• Place the flour in a bowl and season with a big pinch of salt and a few grinds of pepper. Dredge the oysters in the flour. Fry the oysters until golden brown, about 3 to 5 minutes depending on their size. Place on paper towels to drain. Season with salt while still warm.
• Take the spinach-stuffed oyster shells out of the oven, place a fried oyster on top of each shell and serve.

TRUFFLE CREAM SAUCE

Steps:

• Combine heavy cream and truffle oil in a saucepan over high heat. Bring to a boil. Stir in Parmesan cheese, butter, salt, and pepper. Cook, stirring frequently, until the sauce has a creamy consistency without conglomerates of cheese, about 5 minutes.