No-Bake Cheesy Spinach Bechamel

Ingredients

• 1 pack spinach (400 g frozen spinach) - سبانخ
• 1.5 cup milk - لبن
• 2 tablespoon vegetable oil (or butter) - زيت نباتي
• 1.5 tablespoon flour - دقيق
• 2 slice gouda cheese (or handful grated cheese) - جبن جودة
• 1 pinch nutmeg - جوزة الطيب
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder - بودرة ثوم
• 1 tablespoon pine nuts (optional) - صنوبر
• 1 pinch salt and pepper - ملح و فلفل

Step by step

1. Place the frozen spinach in a covered pan, with 1/4 cup of water, on a very low heat to defrost.
2. In the meantime, you need to do the béchamel. In a pot, add the oil or butter. Stir in the flour, and mix it with the oil. You should leave it to bubble for 30 seconds so the flour cooks. If you skip this step the béchamel will taste like raw flour.
3. Add the milk and whisk on a low heat until the béchamel starts to thicken.
4. Season the béchamel with salt, pepper, nutmeg and garlic powder.
5. When the béchamel reaches the required thickness, add the cheese (cut into small pieces) and whisk so the cheese melts in the béchamel. Put aside.
6. Shake the pine nuts in a dry pan over low heat until they are nice and golden (1-2 minutes). You do not need to use any oil, as the pine nuts release their natural oils when heated. Set aside.
7. By then the spinach will be defrosted. Remove from heat and use a sieve to squeeze out all the water from the spinach.
8. Mix the spinach with the béchamel, adjust the seasoning using salt and pepper, and leave to simmer on a low heat for 3 minutes, and you are ready to serve.
9. Sprinkle pine nuts on top and serve immediately.