Vegetable Recipes - Herb Roulade with Spinach and Ricotta Recipe

Ingredients

Serve 6

• 25 g/1 oz butter

• 40 g/1 1/2 oz plain four

• 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard

• 200 ml/7fl oz semi-skimmed milk

• 50 g/2 oz cheese, grated

• 4 eggs, separated

• 4 tablespoons chopped mixed herbs (basil, chervil, chives, tarragon, thyme)

• salt and pepper

• Fresh Tomato Sauce, to serve

Filling:

• 175 g/6 oz ricotta or curd cheese

• 2 tablespoons olive oil, plus extra for oiling

• 1 leek, finely chopped

• 500 g/1 lb frozen leaf spinach, defrosted

• 1/4 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg

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Method:

1. Grease a 23 x 33 cm/9 x 13 inch Swiss roll tin and line with nonstick baking paper. Melt the butter in a saucepan, stir in the flour and mustard, and cook over a low heat for 1 minute, then gradually add the milk, stirring until evenly blended.

2. Bring the sauce slowly to the boil, stirring constantly until it thickens. Cook over a low heat for 2 minutes. Remove the pan from the heat, leave to cool slightly, then beat in the cheese, egg yolks, herbs, salt and pepper.

3. Whisk the egg whites until stiff and fold into the sauce until evenly incorporated. Pour the mixture into the prepared tin and place in a preheated oven, 200°C (400°F), Gas Mark 6, for 12-15 minutes until risen and firm to the touch.

4. Remove from the oven and set aside to cool. Reduce the temperature to 190°C (375°F), Gas Mark 5. Meanwhile, prepare the filling. Beat the cheese and half the oil together until smooth and season with salt and pepper.

5. Heat the remaining oil in a frying pan and fry the leek for 5 minutes. Drain the spinach in a colander, pressing with a wooden spoon to squeeze out the excess moisture, and chop finely.

6. Add to the leeks, season with nutmeg and cook gently for 5 minutes. To assemble the roulade, turn it out of the tin and carefully peel away the paper. Spread the softened cheese and then the spinach mixture on the roulade.

7. Roll up from a short end and place on the oiled Swiss roll tin. Brush with oil and bake for 20-25 minutes. Serve hot, in slices, with fresh tomato sauce.