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Spinach Crêpes

17/11/2023

Spinach crêpes are a delicious and versatile dish. Here’s how to prepare them:

Ingredients for the crêpes:

  • 125 grams of all-purpose flour
  • 250 ml of milk
  • 2 eggs
  • A pinch of salt
  • Butter (as needed to grease the pan)

Ingredients for the filling:

  • 500 grams of fresh or frozen spinach
  • 250 grams of ricotta
  • 100 grams of grated Parmesan cheese
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • Nutmeg (optional)

Ingredients for the béchamel sauce:

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

Preparation

  1. Start by preparing the batter for the crêpes: in a bowl, place the flour, salt, and add the eggs, then start mixing with a whisk while gradually pouring in the milk to avoid lumps. Let the batter rest for at least 30 minutes.

  2. In the meantime, prepare the filling: if you are using fresh spinach, wash and cook it in a pan with a bit of water until it wilts, then squeeze it well and chop it. If you are using frozen spinach, cook it as indicated on the package, squeeze it, and then chop it. In a bowl, mix the spinach with the ricotta and grated Parmesan cheese. Season with salt, pepper, and nutmeg to taste.

  3. Now prepare the béchamel by melting the butter in a saucepan. Add the flour and mix quickly to form a roux. Then pour in the milk, little by little, and continue stirring to avoid lumps. Cook over medium heat until the sauce thickens. Season with salt and add a grating of nutmeg.

  4. Cook the crêpes: heat a non-stick pan, grease it with a little butter and pour in a ladle of batter, tilting the pan to spread it evenly. Cook for 1-2 minutes per side or until the crêpes are golden. Continue this way until all the batter is used up.

  5. Fill each crêpe with the spinach and ricotta filling, roll them up and arrange them in a previously buttered baking dish.

  6. Pour the béchamel over the stuffed crêpes, sprinkle with more grated Parmesan cheese, and bake at 180 °C (350 °F) for about 20 minutes or until the surface is nicely browned.

Curiosity

Crêpes (or crespelle) come from French tradition and have been warmly received in Italy, especially in Tuscany where they are called “crespelle”. In this version, the combination with spinach and ricotta makes them a rather typical dish of Italian cuisine as well, especially when it comes to vegetarian recipes.

Spinach Crêpes