Savory Spinach-Gorgonzola Custards

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup frozen chopped spinach, thawed
• 1 tablespoon unsalted butter or unsalted margarine
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 2 large onions, cut in half and thinly sliced
• 2 teaspoons brown sugar or Splenda brown sugar blend
• 5 ounces crumbled gorgonzola (2/3 cups)
• 3 large eggs
• 1 1/2 cups half-and-half
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
• 1/8-1/4 teaspoon fresh ground black pepper
• 1 pinch crushed red pepper flakes (optional)

Garnish

• crumbled gorgonzola (optional)

Directions

1. 1

   Preheat oven to 350ºF.

2. 2

   Drain spinach well, pressing between paper towels to remove excess moisture; set aside.

3. 3

   Melt butter in a large skillet over med heat; add oil and onion, and sauté 5 minutes.

4. 4

   Stir in sugar or sugar substitute, and cook, stirring occasionally, 20 more minutes or until onion is caramel colored.

5. 5

   Reserve 1/4 cup onion; spoon remaining onion mixture evenly into 6 lightly greased 6 oz custard cups; sprinkle with cheese.

6. 6

   Whisk together eggs and next 5 ingredients until blended.

7. 7

   Stir in spinach.

8. 8

   Spoon evenly over cheese, and place custard cups in a 13x9" pan.

9. 9

   Add hot water to pan to a depth of 1"(Do so once the pan is in the oven).

10. 10

    Bake for 30-40 minutes or until almost set.

11. 11

    Remove cups from pan.

12. 12

    Let stand 10 minutes; unmold and top with reserved onion.

13. 13

    Garnish, if desired.

14. 14

    *Note: This can be baked in a lightly greased 9" square baking dish.