Spinach Gratin - warning! No nutrient info, just super yummy and you may have to use as a cheat :)

Spinach and Parmesan Gratin...just the word Gratin brings up thoughts of creamy, buttery dishes. I don't do a lot of dairy or wheat, so this is a treat dish. If I really wanted to take the time, I coulod figure out substitutes for the flour. It is only 2 tbsp. oh well. I did health-it-up a little by using half broccoli and half spinach. I pre-blanched the broccoli in boiling water after finely chopping it.

The recipe says you could also use this as a filling for crepes. That does sound amazing. We had it as a side dish with beef patties.

Serves 4-6

2 lbs fresh spinach, washed and drained (or 1 lb spinach, 1 lb broccoli)
1 1/2c milk  or chicken broth (I used milk)
2 tbsp unsalted butter, more to grease baking dish
1/2 medium yellow onion, finely diced (about 2/3c)
2 tbsp all purpose flour
1/4 tsp kosher salt (I used sea salt)
pinch fresh ground black pepper
pinch ground cayenne pepper
1 1/4 c (3oz) freshly grated parmigiano reggiana, I used parmesan and asiago mixed

Heat oven to 350 degrees.

Butter a medium (1 1/2 qt) shallow baking dish.

Fill a large pot halfway with lightlkuy salted boiling water and bring to a boil over high heat. add the spinach  by large handfuls and when it is all in the pot, blanch 1 minute. drain in colander (repeat with minced broccoli, if using). Run cold water over spinach (so you can handle it) and squeeze as much water out as possible, then chop it coarsely.

Heat the milk or broth in a small saucepan or in the microwave so it is hot. set a medium saucepan over medium heat and add the butter, once butter is melted, add the onion and cook until translucent and softened, about 5 minutes. Stir in the flour, salt and peppers, stirring constantly and cook 2 minutes (this gets rid of the foury taste). Slowly add the hot milk, stirring frequently, until sauce bubbles and thickens.

When the sauce is ready, add 1 cup of the cheese and stir until the cheese is melted. take the pan off the heat and stir in the chopped spinach, mixing well.
Scrape into the buttered dish, sprinkle remaining 1/4c cheese on top and bake until bubbly and golden on top, about 35-40 minutes.
 Let it cool a few minutes before serving.