Ingredients

  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 2 teaspoons minced garlic
  • 2 (10-ounce) bags fresh spinach, well washed, tough stems removed
  • Salt and freshly ground white pepper
  • 12 Basic Crepes, recipe follows
  • 3/4 pound brie, cut into 1/4-inch slices
  • 1 recipe Artichoke Cream Sauce, warm, recipe follows
  • Butter, for greasing baking dish
  • Chopped fresh soft herbs, such as parsley, chives, and tarragon, for garnish
  • Essence, for garnish, recipe follows
  • 1 cup all-purpose flour
  • 3 large eggs, beaten
  • 1 1/2 cups whole milk
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 4 tablespoons melted unsalted butter
  • 2 boiled artichokes
  • 1 tablespoon olive or vegetable oil
  • 1/4 cup chopped yellow onions
  • 1/4 cup chopped parsnips
  • 1/4 cup chopped celery
  • 1/4 cup chopped leeks (white part only)
  • 1 teaspoon chopped garlic
  • 1 cup white wine
  • 2 cups heavy cream
  • 3/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1/8 teaspoon freshly ground white pepper
  • 2 1/2 tablespoons paprika
  • 2 tablespoons salt
  • 2 tablespoons garlic powder
  • 1 tablespoon black pepper
  • 1 tablespoon onion powder
  • 1 tablespoon cayenne pepper
  • 1 tablespoon dried oregano
  • 1 tablespoon dried thyme

Method

  • In a large skillet, heat the olive oil.
  • Add the garlic and spinach and stir gently to combine.
  • Cover the skillet and cook, stirring occasionally, until the spinach is wilted, 1 to 2 minutes.
  • Season with salt and freshly ground white pepper to taste.
  • Remove from the heat and tilt the pan to remove any excess liquid, pressing gently on the spinach with the back of a spoon or a spatula to help release any excess moisture.
  • Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
  • Arrange the crepes on a clean work surface.
  • Divide the wilted spinach evenly among the crepes, then divide the brie evenly on top of the spinach.
  • Spoon over 1 tablespoon of the sauce.
  • Roll each crepe up to form a cylinder shape.
  • Transfer the crepes to a buttered baking dish just large enough to hold the crepes in 1 layer, top with the rest of the sauce and more brie.
  • Bake until crepes and spinach are heated through and cheese is melted, about 10 minutes.
  • Garnish with herbs and Essence.
  • Whisk together the flour, eggs, milk, salt, and 3 tablespoons of the butter to form a smooth, thin batter.
  • Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes before proceeding.
  • Heat a heavy 6-inch skillet or crepe pan over medium-high heat.
  • When hot, brush with a light coating of the remaining butter.
  • Ladle about 2 ounces of crepe batter into the pan, tilting the skillet to evenly coat the pan with batter.
  • Cook until golden brown on the bottom and the top begins to look dry, 1 to 2 minutes.
  • Using a spatula, carefully turn the crepe and cook on the second side just until the bottom colors slightly, about 30 seconds.
  • Transfer to a plate and cover loosely with waxed paper to keep warm.
  • Repeat with remaining batter.
  • Yield: 12 (6-inch) crepes
  • Remove the large outer leaves from the artichokes and discard the spiky inner leaves.
  • Scrape the hairy choke from the hearts and discard.
  • Dice the hearts and set aside.
  • Heat the oil in a medium, heavy pot over medium-high heat.
  • Add the onions, parsnips, celery and leeks, and cook, stirring, for 2 minutes.
  • Add the garlic and cook, stirring, for 30 seconds.
  • Add the wine, and cook, stirring, until the wine is almost all evaporated, about 3 minutes.
  • Add the cream, artichokes, salt, and pepper, and simmer for 5 minutes.
  • Yield: 2 cups sauce
  • Combine all ingredients thoroughly.
  • Yield: 2/3 cup
  • Recipe from "New New Orleans Cooking", by Emeril Lagasse and Jessie Tirsch
  • Published by William Morrow, 1993.