BOUCHON'S SAUTéED SPINACH WITH GARLIC CONFIT

Steps:

• For the confit.
• Cut off and discard the root ends of the garlic cloves. Place the cloves in a small saucepan, and add enough oil to cover them by about 1 inch. None of the garlic cloves should be poking through the oil.
• Place the saucepan over low heat. The cloves should cook gently: very small bubbles will come up through the oil, but the bubbles should not break the surface.
• Adjust the heat as necessary and move the pan to one side if it is cooking too quickly.
• Cook the garlic for about 40 minutes, stirring every 5 minutes or so, until the cloves are completely tender when pierced with the tip of a knife.
• Remove the saucepan from the heat and allow the garlic to cool in the oil.
• Refrigerate the garlic, submerged in the oil, for up to a month.
• For the spinach.
• If using large-leaf spinach, remove the thick stems and wash the leaves. Wash the baby spinach.
• Melt the butter in the largest skillet you have over medium-low heat.
• Add the shallots and sauté gently for 1 minute.
• Add the garlic confit and only as much spinach as will fit in the skillet, sprinkle with one-half teaspoons salt and a pinch of pepper, or to taste, and use tongs to turn the spinach in the butter.
• As the spinach wilts, continue to add handfuls of spinach from time to time and season additionally as needed.
• Do not overcook: the spinach is done when it is wilted and tender but still bright green. Serve immediately.