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Baked Spinach Crêpes

17/11/2023

Here is the recipe for making delicious baked spinach crêpes, a dish that combines the tradition of Italian home cooking with the elegance of a well-presented meal.

Ingredients

For the crêpes:

  • 125 g of flour
  • 250 ml of milk
  • 2 eggs
  • A pinch of salt
  • Butter, for greasing the pan

For the filling:

  • 500 g of fresh spinach (or 250 g if frozen and already squeezed)
  • 250 g of ricotta
  • Nutmeg, to taste
  • Salt and pepper, to taste
  • Grated Parmesan, to taste

For the béchamel sauce:

  • 500 ml of milk
  • 50 g of butter
  • 50 g of flour
  • Nutmeg, to taste
  • Salt, to taste

Optional:

  • 100 g of grated cheese (e.g., Parmigiano or Parmesan)

Preparation

  1. Begin with the preparation of the crêpes. In a large bowl, put the flour, the eggs, the salt, and start mixing with a whisk, gradually adding the milk to avoid the formation of lumps. Let the batter rest for about 30 minutes.

  2. In the meantime, clean and cook the spinach in a pot with a little water or steam until softened. Squeeze them well to eliminate all the excess water and chop them coarsely.

  3. In a bowl, mix the spinach with the ricotta, add nutmeg, salt, pepper, and a handful of grated Parmesan to flavor the mix.

  4. For the béchamel, melt the butter in a saucepan over medium heat and add the flour, stirring quickly to create a roux. Cook for a couple of minutes then gradually pour the hot milk, continuing to stir. Bring to a boil and let it cook for about 10 minutes, until it thickens, then season with salt and nutmeg.

  5. Grease a non-stick pan with a bit of butter and heat over medium-high heat. Pour a ladle of batter and tilt the pan to spread it evenly. Cook for 1-2 minutes per side, then transfer to a plate and repeat until all the batter is used up.

  6. Take a crêpe and place a spoonful of the spinach and ricotta filling in the center, fold like a wallet or roll up, and lay it in a previously buttered baking dish.

  7. When all the crêpes are in the dish, cover them with the béchamel and sprinkle with the grated cheese.

  8. Bake at 180 °C for about 20-25 minutes or until the surface of the crêpes is golden brown and crispy.

  9. Let cool slightly before serving.

Curiosity

Crêpes are the Italian version of French crêpes and can be filled with sweet or savory ingredients. The spinach version goes particularly well with a touch of flavorful cheese, creating a tasty contrast between the creamy inside and the slightly crunchy outside.

Baked Spinach Crêpes