Elsie’s German Spinach is a classic comfort dish combining hearty bread, creamy spinach, and savory seasonings, typical of rustic European cooking. This mid-century handwritten recipe blends sautéed onions, soaked bread, and seasoned spinach into a satisfying casserole-like dish. Perfect as a main course or side, it embodies practical home cooking rooted in tradition, flavor, and resourcefulness, making use of stale bread and pantry staples. The dish finishes with a light gravy and egg garnish, giving it extra richness.
Ingredients
- 1½ lbs spinach
- 1 onion (medium, chopped)
- 1 tbsp butter ( or oil)
- 6 slices stale bread
- water (for soaking bread)
- 2 eggs (hard-boiled and chopped)
- ½ tsp salt
- ¼ tsp black pepper
- ¼ tsp ground nutmeg
- ¼ cup beef (optional, for gravy, or vegetable stock)
Instructions
Step 1: Prepare Spinach
- Wash spinach thoroughly. Cook in boiling water until wilted, about 3–5 minutes. Drain well and chop finely.
Step 2: Sauté Aromatics
- In a skillet, sauté chopped onion in butter or oil until soft and translucent.
Step 3: Soak Bread
- Tear stale bread into pieces and soak in water for a few minutes. Squeeze out excess water.
Step 4: Mix Ingredients
- In a large bowl, combine cooked spinach, sautéed onion, squeezed bread, salt, pepper, and nutmeg. Mix thoroughly.
Step 5: Add Garnish
- Stir in chopped hard-boiled eggs. Optionally add stock if the mixture seems dry.
Step 6: Heat Through
- Transfer to a buttered baking dish or cook gently on stovetop until warmed through and lightly crisped on edges.
Tips
- Use baby spinach for a more tender salad
- Red onion can replace yellow onion for sharper flavor
- Add sliced mushrooms for extra texture
- Serve immediately while dressing is warm for best flavor
- Reduce sugar slightly if you prefer a more tangy dressing
- Add hard-boiled egg slices for extra protein
- Substitute turkey bacon if desired
- Pair with roasted potatoes or sausages for a full meal
- Do not overheat dressing once eggs are added to avoid curdling
Nutrition
Calories: 170kcalCarbohydrates: 18gProtein: 7gFat: 18gSaturated Fat: 6gPolyunsaturated Fat: 3gMonounsaturated Fat: 8gCholesterol: 95mgSodium: 340mgPotassium: 470mgFiber: 3gSugar: 2gVitamin A: 5800IUVitamin C: 19mgCalcium: 120mgIron: 2.4mg
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