Green vegetable crumble

Updated at: Thu, 17 Aug 2023 07:30:29 GMT

Step 1

Pour the milk into a saucepan, add the bay leaves and the onion, peeled and cut in half, then add the cloves and whole peppercorns. Watch carefully, then just as the milk is reaching boiling point, remove from the heat and set aside for 20 minutes to infuse.

Step 2

In a nonstick saucepan, melt the butter over a moderate heat, then stir in the flour. When you have a thick, biscuit-coloured paste, let it cook for a minute or two, stirring regularly, then pour in the milk, slowly, stirring constantly, holding the aromatics back in the pan (you can discard them, they have done their work).

Step 3

Keep the sauce at a low to moderate heat, stirring regularly, and let it cook for a good 20-25 minutes. Should the sauce be lumpy, then beat with a whisk until smooth. Stir in the crème fraîche. Check the seasoning and set aside.

Step 4

Make the crumble: put the flour in a mixing bowl and rub in the butter with your fingertips (or give it a quick blast in a food processor) until it resembles the texture of coarse fresh breadcrumbs. Add the breadcrumbs, the thyme leaves and 1 tbsp of water. Shake the bowl from side to side until you get a good mixture of crumbs of different size, then set aside.

Step 5

Wash the spinach and pile the leaves, still wet, into a pan, cover tightly with a lid and cook for a minute or two over a high heat. When the leaves have relaxed (they cook in their own steam) drain, then gently squeeze most of the moisture out and set aside. Fill the empty pan with water and bring to the boil. Cook the peas for 3 or 4 minutes, then remove with a draining spoon. Bring the water back to the boil, add the beans and cook for 6 or 7 minutes or until tender. Drain and mix with the peas.

Step 6

Set the oven at 200C/gas mark 6. Add the drained spinach to the peas and beans, then stir into the sauce. Check the seasoning for salt and black pepper, then spoon into a gratin or other shallow, ovenproof dish or, if you prefer, four individual baking dishes. Sprinkle the crumbs over the surface and bake for about 25 minutes until lightly browned.

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