Creamed spinach

Ingredients

• 2 1/4 lbspinach, washed
• 1 1/2 ozunsalted butter
• 2shallots, very finely chopped
• 2 clovegarlic, crushed
• 1 cupheavy cream
• 1/4 tspground nutmeg, freshly grated
• 1 1/2 ozParmesan cheese, a variety labelled suitable for vegetarians, finely grated
• 1 tspsea salt
• 1/2 tspblack pepper

Method

1. 1

   Put the spinach into a large dry pan in batches with only the water clinging to the leaves, and cook until it has completely collapsed. Tip each batch into a colander as it wilts.

2. 2

   Once it is cool enough to handle, gather the spinach into a clean cloth and squeeze hard over the sink until no more water runs out. Then chop it roughly.

3. 3

   Melt the butter in the pan and cook the shallots gently until soft, add the garlic for a minute, then pour in the cream and simmer until it has thickened noticeably.

4. 4

   Stir the chopped spinach through the reduced cream, add the nutmeg, Parmesan, salt and pepper, and cook for another couple of minutes until hot and thick.