Description
This creamy Florentine sauce is a luscious, flavorful Italian-American sauce made with fresh spinach, garlic, shallots, white wine, and Parmesan cheese. Perfectly balanced with a hint of spice and a rich, velvety texture, this sauce is ideal for serving over pasta, chicken, or seafood for a comforting and elegant meal.
Ingredients
Scale
Sauce Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 small shallot, finely chopped
- 1/2 cup dry white wine
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup chicken or vegetable broth
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 3 cups fresh spinach, chopped
- Salt and black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Heat Butter and Oil: In a large skillet, melt the butter together with the olive oil over medium heat to create a flavorful base for the sauce.
- Sauté Garlic and Shallot: Add the minced garlic and finely chopped shallot to the skillet and sauté for 2 to 3 minutes until they are softened and fragrant, which enhances the depth of the sauce.
- Reduce White Wine: Pour in the dry white wine and simmer for 3 to 4 minutes until it reduces by about half, concentrating its flavor and aroma.
- Add Cream and Broth: Stir in the heavy cream and chicken or vegetable broth, which adds creaminess and depth to the sauce.
- Season Sauce: Add Italian seasoning and red pepper flakes to the skillet, then bring the sauce to a gentle simmer, allowing the flavors to meld over 5 to 7 minutes until it slightly thickens.
- Melt Parmesan Cheese: Stir in the grated Parmesan cheese until it melts smoothly into the sauce, enriching its flavor and texture.
- Add Spinach: Incorporate the chopped fresh spinach and cook for 2 to 3 minutes until the spinach wilts and blends into the creamy sauce.
- Final seasoning: Season the sauce with salt and black pepper to taste, and stir well before serving warm over pasta, chicken, or seafood.
Notes
- For a richer flavor, substitute half of the heavy cream with mascarpone or cream cheese.
- If you prefer a thicker sauce, allow it to simmer longer before adding the spinach to reduce further.
- For extra depth, stir in sun-dried tomatoes just before serving.
