Savory Spinach-Gorgonzola Custards

Manami's Note:

This was a Grand Prize Winner from Southern Living, December 1999.

• Total Time: 1 hrs
• Prep Time: 30 mins
• Cook Time: 30 mins

Ingredients:

Servings: 6

• ½ cup frozen chopped spinach , thawed
• 1 tablespoon unsalted butter or 1 tablespoon unsalted margarine
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 2 large onions , cut in half and thinly sliced
• 2 teaspoons brown sugar or 2 teaspoons Splenda brown sugar blend
• 5 ounces crumbled gorgonzola (2/3 cups)
• 3 large eggs
• 1 ½ cups half-and-half
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• ¼ teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
• 1⁄8;-¼ teaspoon fresh ground black pepper
• 1 pinch crushed red pepper flakes (optional)

Garnish

• crumbled gorgonzola (optional)

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350ºF.
2. Drain spinach well, pressing between paper towels to remove excess moisture; set aside.
3. Melt butter in a large skillet over med heat; add oil and onion, and sauté 5 minutes.
4. Stir in sugar or sugar substitute, and cook, stirring occasionally, 20 more minutes or until onion is caramel colored.
5. Reserve 1/4 cup onion; spoon remaining onion mixture evenly into 6 lightly greased 6 oz custard cups; sprinkle with cheese.
6. Whisk together eggs and next 5 ingredients until blended.
7. Stir in spinach.
8. Spoon evenly over cheese, and place custard cups in a 13x9" pan.
9. Add hot water to pan to a depth of 1"(Do so once the pan is in the oven).
10. Bake for 30-40 minutes or until almost set.
11. Remove cups from pan.
12. Let stand 10 minutes; unmold and top with reserved onion.
13. Garnish, if desired.
14. *Note: This can be baked in a lightly greased 9" square baking dish.

Reviews

[Chef #262447]

Very Yummy! I would have liked a slightly stronger gorgonzola flavor so next time I will add more Gorgonzola. I cooked these ahead of time in the separate ramakins and reheated in a water bath in the microwave. Worked out great for the sedar meal, but I will make these throughout the year for guests. Very delicious and very elegant and the cook ahead is key!