Creamed Spinach with Garam Masala

Note: Serves 8. Total Carbohydrates: 85

This is excellent served with lamb as well as turkey. Garam masala is an East Indian blend of sweet spices, such as cinnamon, nutmeg and allspice. It is usually added at the last minute to cooked foods for an extra boost of flavor.

Ingredients:

4 lbs. fresh spinach, stemmed, washed and dried
1 Tbsp. unsalted butter
4 cloves garlic, minced
4 Tbsp. finely chopped shallots
2 cups whipping cream
1/2 tsp. salt
1 tsp. fennel seeds
1/2 tsp. garam masala
pinch of cayenne pepper

Coarsely chop the spinach and set aside. Melt the butter over medium heat in a large, heavy, preferably nonstick pot. Add the garlic and shallots and sauté until the shallots are translucent. Add the whipping cream and salt and bring to a simmer.

Garam Masala (seasoning)

Note: Makes 1/4 cup. Garam Masala is a seasoning made by blending dry-roasted, ground spices, such as black pepper, cumin, cloves, and cardamom, used in the cooking of northern India.

Total Carbohydrates: 32, Carbohydrates per tsp.: 2

Ingredients:
2 Tbsp. whole cumin seeds
2 Tbsp. whole coriander seeds
2 tsp. cardamom seeds (seeds removed from the pods)
1 piece cinnamon stick, 3 inches (7.5-cm) long
3/4 tsp. whole cloves
1 Tbsp. black peppercorns
4 bay leaves

Heat a heavy frying pan over medium heat. Add the spices and roast, stirring constantly, until the spices are a few shades darker and are fragrant. Transfer to a plate and cool. Grind the spices to a powder in a spice mill, mortar and pestle or coffee grinder. Store in a covered jar.

Stir in the spinach by handfuls, adding more as it cooks down. Turn to low and cook, stirring frequently, until the spinach is extremely soft and the cream is almost absorbed, about 20 minutes.

Heat a small frying pan over high heat. Add the fennel seeds and roast, shaking the pan, until the seeds turn one shade darker. Add to the spinach along with the garam masala and cayenne. Mix well.