Gammy's Creamed Spinach

Gammy's Creamed Spinach (from Gammy/Mom)

Ingredients

Since I never measure anything, you'll just have to experiment until it tastes right!

2 or 3 reg. pkgs
16 oz. bags
Frozen chopped spinach. (Use 2 packages unless making for a larger crowd).
1 pint to quart Half-&-Half (not milk and not fat-free Half-&-Half). May only need a pint, especially if only using 2 packages of spinach.
Plain or Italian style bread crumbs (in a canister found in either the baking or the pasta aisle; Progresso is one brand)
Lawry's seasoned salt
Ground black pepper (table pepper)
Nutmeg

Directions

Cook and drain spinach

  • Cook spinach according to package directions (see notes below) in a large pan pot, then drain thoroughly. Press with a spoon through a colander or strainer to get all the excess water out. It's a pain in the butt, but, hey, that's what makes this stuff so great.
  • Notes about cooking the spinach:
    • Cook each bag of spinach individually (may lengthen the process, but reduces the individual efforts to drain)
    • Boil 1/3 to 3 cups of water (for each bag, depending on size of bag, size of pot, and directions). Less water means less draining.
    • Add frozen spinach from bag.
    • Bring back to a boil.
    • Reduce heat then cover and simmer 6-8 minutes ("until tender"). May need only 4-6 minutes, depending on size of bag/directions.
    • Drain as described above.
    • Repeat for subsequent bags of spinach.

Blend

  • Spoon a portion (~1 cup) of the spinach in a blender, add enough half & half with spinach and set on "Chop" to get to an almost pureed consistency. (You should know what it looks like).
    • You'll have to do small batches at a time in order not to overwhelm the poor blender.
    • After blending each small batch, empty blender contents into a second large pot.
  • Return spinach mix to pan.

Season and heat

  • Add bread crumbs and additional half & half as needed.
  • Sprinkle enough Lawry's and pepper to lightly cover the surface of the mixture. (Go easy at first—you can always add more. If you add too much and make it too salty or too peppery, you can add more cream and bread crumbs).
  • Do the same with the nutmeg, sprinkling lightly (lighter than Lawry's and pepper) over mixture.
  • Cook over medium heat (adding ingredients until taste is right) until completely heated.

Good luck.

P.S. Gammy used to add hard boiled egg slices over the finished product, but I've never gone to that much trouble.


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