Shelly's Recipe

SPINACH MADELEINE

Category: Spinach

2 pkg chopped spinach, frozen
4 tbsp butter
2 tbsp flour
2 tbsp chopped onions
1/2 cup evaporated milk
1/2 cup reserved spinach liquor
1/2 tsp black pepper
3/4 tsp celery salt
3/4 tsp garlic salt
6 oz Velveeta Mexican cheese, sliced into 1/4-inch cubes
Salt and red pepper to taste
1 tsp Worcestershire sauce

Cook spinach according to directions on pkg. Drain and reserve liquid. In a medium saucepan, melt butter over low heat. Add flour, stirring until blended and smooth, but not brown. Add onions and sauté 3-5 minutes or until wilted. Add evaporated milk, spinach liquor and Worcestershire sauce slowly, stirring constantly to avoid lumps. Cook mixture until smooth and thick, stirring constantly. Add seasonings and cubed cheese. Stir until melted and combine with cooked spinach. This may be served immediately or put into a casserole and topped with buttered bread crumbs. The flavor is improved if the latter is done and kept in refrigerator overnight. Serves 4-6

VARIATIONS: This traditional dish can be spruced up for the holidays by adding 1/4 cup diced red bell peppers when the onions are sautéed.

Spinach & Crabmeat Bisque: Add 1 pound of jumbo lump crabmeat and 1 quart of half and half (or more to bring to a soup-like consistency) and season to taste with salt and pepper. Simmer for approximately 20 minutes.

Crawfish Spinach Dip: Add 1 pound of Louisiana crawfish tails when you add the cheese and serve warm with tortilla chips or crackers.

Oyster-Stuffed Artichokes Rockefeller: Add 1 tbsp of Herbsaint liqueur and 1/2 cup of Italian breadcrumbs when you add the spinach to the cheese mixture. Then, using canned artichoke bottoms, place one oyster in the center of each artichoke. Cover each oyster with a heaping teaspoon of Spinach Madeleine and bake in a 350-degree oven until bubbly.

Spinach Madeleine Cauliflower Casserole: In a 3-quart casserole dish, place 1 large head of precooked cauliflower florets. Top with Spinach Madeleine and seasoned Italian breadcrumbs and bake until crumbs are golden brown.