Sautéed Spinach with Crispy Shallots
Time: 1 hour. Instead of a rich green-bean casserole or creamed spinach, we chose fresh, local spinach, with fried shallots for crunch.
How to Make It
Step 1
1
Wilt 1 lb. spinach at a time in a large pot of boiling water, stirring often, 1 minute. Transfer to ice water, then to a colander.
Step 2
2
Heat 2 in. vegetable oil in a medium saucepan over medium heat. In a bowl, toss shallots with flour until lightly coated. To test oil, throw 1 shallot slice in pan; it should sizzle and bubble to the top but not turn golden right away. Fry small batches of shallots, stirring often, until golden, 2 to 3 minutes. Drain on paper towels.
Step 3
3
Pat excess moisture from spinach. In a large frying pan, sauté spinach, salt, and pepper in 1 tbsp. olive oil over high heat, tossing with tongs, until spinach is hot and some liquid evaporates, 7 minutes.
Step 4
4
Remove spinach from heat, drain off liquid, and stir in remaining 2 tbsp. olive oil. Transfer to a dish. Top with shallots.
Step 5
5
Make ahead: Up to 1 day ahead, prepare spinach through step 1; cover colander, set in a bowl, and chill. Shallots can be fried 6 hours ahead and stored between paper towels.
Step 6
6
Note: Nutritional analysis is per serving.
Ingredients
4 pounds baby spinach leaves
Vegetable oil for frying
2 cups thinly sliced shallots separated into rings
1 tablespoon flour
1 teaspoon kosher salt
1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, divided
Directions
Step 1
1
Wilt 1 lb. spinach at a time in a large pot of boiling water, stirring often, 1 minute. Transfer to ice water, then to a colander.
Step 2
2
Heat 2 in. vegetable oil in a medium saucepan over medium heat. In a bowl, toss shallots with flour until lightly coated. To test oil, throw 1 shallot slice in pan; it should sizzle and bubble to the top but not turn golden right away. Fry small batches of shallots, stirring often, until golden, 2 to 3 minutes. Drain on paper towels.
Step 3
3
Pat excess moisture from spinach. In a large frying pan, sauté spinach, salt, and pepper in 1 tbsp. olive oil over high heat, tossing with tongs, until spinach is hot and some liquid evaporates, 7 minutes.
Step 4
4
Remove spinach from heat, drain off liquid, and stir in remaining 2 tbsp. olive oil. Transfer to a dish. Top with shallots.
Step 5
5
Make ahead: Up to 1 day ahead, prepare spinach through step 1; cover colander, set in a bowl, and chill. Shallots can be fried 6 hours ahead and stored between paper towels.
Step 6
6
Note: Nutritional analysis is per serving.
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