Roasted Cod And Spinach Gratin

Serves 4

1 1/2 10oz bags of spinach, stemmed and washed thoroughly, or 1 bag baby spinach, rinsed
3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
2 tablespoons finely chopped shallot or onion
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour, sifted
1 1/2 low-fat milk (I'm lactose intolerant, so I substituted rice milk)
 Kosher salt
 freshly ground pepper to taste
1 garlic clove, green shoot removed, finely minced or pureed
 Pinch of nutmeg
2 tablespoons Pernod (a French anise-flavored liqueur)
1 1/2 pounds Cod, cut into 2 inch chunks
¼ cup fresh or dried bread crumbs

Preheat the oven to 425°F.

Bring a large pot of generously salted water to a boil, and add the spinach. Blanch for 30 seconds, and transfer to a bowl of ice water. Drain and squeeze dry, taking the spinach up by the handful. Chop finely, and set aside.

In a bowl toss fish with 1 tablespoon of oil, salt and pepper.  Place on small baking sheet and place in oven.  Roast until fish looks opaque, 5-7 minutes.  Remove, let cool and then break fish up removing any bones as you go.  Reserve on the side.

Heat 2 tablespoons of the olive oil in a medium saucepan over medium heat, and add the shallot. Cook, stirring, until tender, about 3 minutes, and stir in the flour. Cook, stirring, for several minutes, until the mixture begins to color slightly. Remove from the heat. Whisk in the milk all at once. Return to the heat, and add Pernod.  Cook stirring constantly, until the mixture simmers and thickens. Turn the heat to low, and simmer, stirring or whisking often, for 15 minutes. There should be no floury taste. Add salt and freshly ground pepper to taste, and stir in the garlic and a touch of nutmeg if desired. Stir in the chopped spinach. Taste, and add more salt and pepper as desired.

Oil a 2-quart gratin or baking dish.  Spoon a thin layer of the creamed spinach over the bottom of the dish, and top with the fish in one layer. Spoon the remaining creamed spinach over the fish. Top with the breadcrumbs. Drizzle on the remaining tablespoon of olive oil. Place in the oven, and bake for 20 minutes until it is sizzling and beginning to brown.  Serve and Enjoy!