With its vibrant emerald green color and creamy, luscious texture, Martha's Mom Mrs. Kostyra's Creamed Spinach is a classic side dish that adds elegance and flavor to any meal. Originating from the beloved cooking show host and author Martha Stewart, this comforting dish has become a staple in many households, earning widespread acclaim for its simplicity and deliciousness. Whether you are a seasoned cook looking to elevate your culinary repertoire or a beginner seeking a foolproof recipe, this definitive guide will lead you through the steps of creating the perfect creamed spinach, capturing the essence of Martha's Mom's original recipe while providing valuable tips and variations to suit your taste preferences.
Check out the recipes below so you can choose the best recipe for yourself!
MARTHA'S MOM MRS. KOSTYRA'S CREAMED SPINACH
First prepared by Martha's mother, this classic was a regular on the holiday menu in the Kostyra home. Martha made this recipe on Cooking School episode 403.
Provided by Martha Stewart
Categories Food & Cooking Dinner Recipes Dinner Side Dishes
Number Of Ingredients 8
Steps:
- Place spinach in a large pot over high heat. Cook, covered, with just the water clinging to leaves, stirring occasionally, until wilted, 8 minutes. Transfer to a colander to drain, squeezing out and reserving excess liquid. Roughly chop spinach; set aside.
- In a medium skillet, melt butter over medium heat. Add flour, and cook, stirring, 1 to 2 minutes. Slowly whisk in milk; season with salt, pepper, and sugar. Thin with reserved spinach liquid. Stir in spinach. Sprinkle with nutmeg to taste and, if desired, top with a dollop of sour cream. Serve immediately.
CREAMED SPINACH WITH CRISPY CHEESE
Steps:
- Melt the butter in a medium pot over medium heat. Add the onion and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Cook until the onion is soft and translucent, 5 to 7 minutes. Add the garlic and cook for about a minute longer. Stir in the flour until combined and cook for 2 minutes to cook out the flour taste. Add the heavy cream and cook, stirring, until the sauce is thick and there are no lumps, about 5 minutes.
- Add the spinach, breaking up any frozen chunks with the back of a wooden spoon. Stir to combine with the creamy mixture until uniformly incorporated. Taste and season with salt. Cook until the spinach is heated through and mixture begins to bubble, about 3 minutes. Add the Cheddar, lemon juice and hot sauce. Season with salt and pepper. Turn to the lowest setting.
- Heat a large nonstick pan over medium-high heat and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Make 2-tablespoon mounds of Parmesan in the pan, leaving 3 inches between each (work in batches if your pan isn't large enough). Allow the Parmesan to melt and bubble until it starts to brown around the edges. Use an offset spatula to carefully lift each cheese crisp to the lined baking sheet. Allow to cool for 2 minutes. Crumble or serve whole on top of the creamed spinach.
PECAN PIE WITH MRS. KOSTYRA
As common as it is today, pecan pie is a relatively recent addition to the American table. No one knows exactly when it was invented, but since the 1940s -- when it was first popularized in "Joy of Cooking" and "The Fannie Farmer Cookbook" -- myriad pecan-pie recipes have emerged, including this sweet, rich version, brought to us by Martha's mother, Mrs. Kostyra.
Provided by Martha Stewart
Categories Food & Cooking Dessert & Treats Recipes Pie & Tarts Recipes
Yield Makes one 9-inch pie
Number Of Ingredients 9
Steps:
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees. If using homemade pate brisee, lightly dust a clean work surface with flour, and roll dough into a 12-inch circle. Fit circle into a 9-inch pie plate being careful not to stretch dough too thin; create edges of choice. Transfer to freezer until firm, about 15 minutes.
- Coarsely chop 1 1/4 cups pecans; set aside. In a medium bowl, combine eggs and sugar. Whisk to combine. Add corn syrups and vanilla. Whisk until well combined. Add chopped pecans, and stir. Pour into prepared crust.
- Arrange remaining 1 1/4 cups pecan halves decoratively on top of pie. Bake until crust is golden, filling is firm, and a cake tester inserted in center of pie comes out clean; 50 to 55 minutes. Cool completely before slicing. Serve with whipped cream.
MRS. KOSTYRA'S MAC AND CHEESE
Martha was fond of her grandmother's unusual mac n' cheese, which included tomato soup and sour cream. In this version, Martha and her mom give it a more traditional spin.
Provided by Martha Stewart
Categories Food & Cooking Ingredients Pasta and Grains
Number Of Ingredients 10
Steps:
- Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Butter a 2 1/2-quart casserole dish; set aside.
- Warm the milk and tomato paste in a medium saucepan over medium-low heat. Whisk in the salt, pepper, cayenne pepper, cheddar cheese, and 1/2 cup Swiss cheese; set the cheese sauce aside.
- Cover a large pot of salted water, and bring to a boil. Cook until pasta is al dente, about 7 minutes. Drain well in a colander. Stir macaroni into reserved cheese sauce.
- Pour mixture into prepared dish. Top with remaining 1/2 cup Swiss cheese, and dot with butter. Bake until golden brown and bubbling, about 45 minutes. Serve hot with sour cream, if desired.
BIG MARTHA'S MASHED POTATOES WITH CREAM CHEESE
This delicious recipe for mashed potatoes enriched with cream cheese came from Martha's mother, Mrs. Kostyra.
Provided by Martha Stewart
Categories Gluten-Free Recipes
Number Of Ingredients 6
Steps:
- Place potatoes and 1 tablespoon salt in a medium pot, cover with cold water by 2 inches, and bring to a boil. Reduce heat, cover partially, and simmer until potatoes are tender, about 35 minutes. Drain, and let stand until just cool enough to handle. Rub off skins, and discard. Cut potatoes into large pieces.
- Combine potatoes, cream cheese, butter, milk, and 1/4 cup cream in a mixer bowl fitted with the paddle attachment. Beat until combined. Season with salt and pepper, and beat to desired consistency.
- Return mashed potatoes to pot, and place over medium heat. Add remaining cream, and cook, stirring constantly, until heated through. Serve immediately, or keep warm in a covered bowl over simmering water for up to 2 hours.
Tips:
- Choose fresh spinach. Fresh spinach has a deep green color and crisp leaves. Avoid spinach that is wilted or has yellow or brown spots.
- Wash the spinach thoroughly. Rinse the spinach under cold water to remove any dirt or debris. You can also soak the spinach in a bowl of cold water for a few minutes to help remove any grit.
- Cook the spinach until it is wilted. Spinach cooks very quickly, so it is important to not overcook it. Cook the spinach for just a few minutes, or until it is wilted and bright green.
- Drain the spinach well. After cooking, drain the spinach in a colander to remove any excess water.
- Season the spinach to taste. You can season the spinach with salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, or other herbs and spices to taste.
Conclusion:
Mrs. Kostyra's Creamed Spinach is a delicious and easy-to-make side dish that is perfect for any occasion. With its creamy texture and rich flavor, this dish is sure to be a hit with everyone at the table. So next time you are looking for a simple but elegant side dish, give Mrs. Kostyra's Creamed Spinach a try. You won't be disappointed!
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