Creamed Spinach With Poached Eggs And Brioche Croutons Recipes

Steps:

• Make the croutons:
• Preheat the oven to 350°F. In a small bowl toss the bread cubes with the butter and salt to taste, spread them on a baking sheet, and bake them in the middle of the oven for 8 to 10 minutes, or until they are golden.
• Make the creamed spinach:
• In a kettle cook the spinach in the water clinging to the leaves, covered, over moderate heat, stirring once or twice, for 5 to 6 minutes, or until it is wilted, refresh it under cold water, and drain it well in a colander. Squeeze out the excess water by handfuls and in a food processor purée the spinach.
• In a heavy saucepan cook the shallot in the butter over moderately low heat, stirring, until it is softened, add the flour, and cook the roux, stirring, for 3 minutes. Add the milk, whisking, bring the mixture to a boil, whisking, and simmer it, whisking, for 3 minutes. Add the spinach purée, the sour cream, the nutmeg, the lemon juice, and salt and pepper to taste and heat the creamed spinach over moderately low heat, stirring, until it is heated through. Serve the creamed spinach topped with croutons.

Steps:

• In a straight-sided skillet, heat 2 inches water over medium to a gentle simmer until a few bubbles break the surface.
• Meanwhile, in a large skillet, heat oil over medium-high. Add spinach to pan and toss until slightly wilted. Season with salt and pepper. Cover and cook 1 minute. Add 3/4 cup cilantro, then transfer to a colander and press excess liquid from greens.
• Crack 1 egg into a small bowl and gently tip into simmering water. Repeat with remaining 3 eggs. Cook until whites are set and yolks are runny, 2 to 3 minutes. With a slotted spoon, transfer to a plate lined with paper towels to drain. Divide quinoa, spinach, and eggs among 4 bowls, and season with salt and pepper. Sprinkle with remaining 1/4 cup cilantro, and drizzle with olive oil to serve.

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Melt 2 tablespoons butter, toss with brioche cubes, and spread on a rimmed baking sheet. Toast until golden and crisp, about 8 minutes. Let cool completely.
• Melt remaining 5 tablespoons butter in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add flour and cook, stirring, until golden, 2 to 3 minutes. Whisk in 3 cups milk and 1 1/2 teaspoons salt. Cook, stirring, until mixture is thick enough to coat the back of a wooden spoon, about 10 minutes. Remove from heat; stir in nutmeg and pepper to taste. Press parchment paper directly on surface of bechamel to cover.
• Place half of spinach in a large pot over medium-high heat. Cover and cook just until spinach wilts, about 2 minutes. Add remaining spinach, cover, and cook until it collapses, about 2 minutes more; drain. When cool enough to handle, squeeze as much liquid from spinach as possible. Coarsely chop and stir into bechamel.
• Bring 1 1/2 inches of water to a simmer in a large, deep skillet over medium-high heat. Stir in vinegar. Crack 1 egg into a small bowl. Holding bowl just above surface of water, gently pour egg into skillet. Repeat with 3 more eggs. Poach eggs, adjusting heat to maintain a simmer, just until whites are firm and yolks are still runny, about 4 minutes (for firmer yolks, poach 1 to 2 minutes more). Gently remove eggs from water with a slotted spoon, allowing excess water to drain, and transfer to a plate. Poach remaining eggs in 2 more batches. Use immediately or transfer to a bowl of ice-cold water.
• Uncover creamed spinach and heat with remaining 1/4 cup milk in a saucepan over medium heat, stirring, until warmed through. If necessary, transfer poached eggs to a large pot of simmering water with a slotted spoon and cook until warmed through, about 30 seconds. Divide spinach evenly among 12 small ramekins or bowls, top with poached eggs and croutons, and season with salt and pepper. Serve immediately.