What is Creamy Spinach?
– sautéed spinach in garlic roux, enriched with egg yolk, a traditional Croatian side dish
Recipe Intro
Creamy spinach has been a staple in Croatian households for decades. Very popular among those who grew up in the 60s, 70s, and 80s, this dish brings back fond childhood memories for many. Almost everyone from these generations enjoyed creamy spinach as a kid. It is a delicious and nutritious side dish, often served alongside family meals.
Ingredients and Substitutes
- spinach – fresh or frozen
- sunflower oil
- garlic – fresh or garlic paste, avoid powder
- flour – plain white flour
- milk – any
- butter – use unsalted butter
- egg yolk – organic, fresh
You can use Swiss chard instead of spinach.
The original recipe calls for sunflower oil, but you can replace it with mild olive oil.
If preparing with salted butter, be careful with adding extra salt. Instead of butter, it’s just as tasty with olive oil.
How to make Creamy Spinach?
You can prepare this dish with either fresh or frozen spinach.
For fresh spinach, simply boil it for 2-3 minutes. For frozen spinach, simmer it in boiling water until fully defrosted and cooked (refer to the packaging for specific instructions).
Drain the spinach and set it aside.
In a pot or deep pan, add oil and garlic. Fry the garlic for about 30 seconds, ensuring it does not darken, as any darkening will ruin the flavour by making the garlic bitter. Then add flour and fry for another 20 seconds on low heat, stirring continuously. Be careful not to let it brown.
Next, add milk and whisk to prevent any lumps of flour from forming. Add the drained spinach and simmer everything for 2 minutes, stirring constantly.
Remove from the heat, add butter and egg yolk, and mix well. Return to low heat and, while stirring constantly, simmer for about 30 seconds. The butter should melt, and the egg yolk should make it creamy without turning into scrambled eggs. 🙂
The egg yolk contributes to the creaminess and nourishment of the dish. Don’t worry about its raw state; it will cook thoroughly in hot spinach.
What to serve with Creamy Spinach?
It is traditionally served with fries, fried eggs, or beef patties (polpete). It also pairs perfectly with fish, such as fried sardines or hake. Try it with fish and chips.
I sometimes mix it with potato to create a sort of spinach and potato mash, as shown in the photo below. It is served here with Ivorian-inspired chicken Kedjenou.
If you have any leftovers, you can make an egg omelette with it or use it to create these delicious Croatian cheese and spinach pancakes.
Recipe Card
Creamy Spinach: Croatian Side Dish
Ingredients
- 500 g fresh spinach
- 3-4 tbsp sunflower oil
- 3 cloves garlic
- 2 tsp flour
- 150-200 ml milk
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1 tsp unsalted butter
- 1 egg yolk
Instructions
- Boil fresh spinach in salted water for about 2-3 minutes, until it wilts. Drain. Set aside.
- In a deep pan, add oil and garlic, and fry for 30 seconds. The garlic should not darken. Then add flour and stir with a whisk for 20 seconds. Add milk and mix well. If it is too thick, add a bit more milk.
- Add drained spinach and mix well. Simmer for 2 minutes while stirring. Remove from the heat.
- Add butter and egg yolk, and mix well. Add salt and black pepper, then return to the hob for a few moments to heat everything through once more.