Prepare to embark on a culinary journey to Catalonia, Spain, where flavors and tradition intertwine to create the ultimate comfort food: "Grandmas Greens Catalan Style with Toasted Pine Nuts and Raisins." This dish, also known as "Espinacas a la Catalana," is a symphony of flavors and textures that will tantalize your taste buds and transport you to the heart of Spanish cuisine. From the fresh, vibrant greens to the nutty crunch of toasted pine nuts and the sweet bursts of raisins, every ingredient comes together to create a harmonious and unforgettable dish. Get ready to savor the taste of Spain with this authentic recipe, perfect for a cozy dinner with loved ones or as a delightful addition to your culinary repertoire.
Here are our top 3 tried and tested recipes!
GLAZED TURNIPS WITH GOLDEN RAISINS
Steps:
- Saute 11/2 pounds chopped peeled turnips in olive oil over medium-high heat until tender, 8 minutes; season with salt. Add 1/2 diced red onion, 1/2 teaspoon chopped rosemary and a pinch ofred pepper flakes; cook 2 minutes. Add 3 tablespoons each white wine vinegar, honeygolden raisins. Cook, stirring, until the turnips are glazed, 1 to 2 minutes. Toss with chopped parsley; season with salt.
BEET GREENS WITH RAISINS AND PINE NUTS
From 'Vegetarian' by Linda Fraser with only a few small changes. Baby spinach or Swiss chard can be used instead of beet greens. Reminder: beet greens and Swiss chard require a little longer cooking time than baby spinach. For a less aggressive garlic presence, use mildly-flavored garlic whistles/scapes. Final comment: I thought the recipe was lacking something to take the dish to the next level. What pairs well with beets/beet greens? Ah, allspice!
Provided by COOKGIRl
Categories Greens
Time 15m
Yield 4 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 8
Steps:
- Note: you don't need to remove the beet green stalks unless they are woody and/or thick.
- Place the raisins in a small heat proof bowl. Pour boiling water over the raisins and let soak for 10 minutes. Drain.
- Meanwhile, cut the bread slice up into small cubes. (Directions say to discard the crust but I don't do that because I consider it a waste).
- Heat up 2 tablespoons of the olive oil on medium heat and saute the bread cubes until golden. Drain.
- Heat the remaining olive oil in the pan and saute the pine nuts until they begin to turn golden color.
- Add the beet greens, allspice and garlic.
- Cook quickly (lower heat if necessary to avoid burning) and cook just until beet greens start to wilt.
- Stir in the drained raisins and season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Transfer the greens to a serving platter.
- Sprinkle with the croutons and serve hot.
CANNELLONI WITH SPINACH, RAISINS AND PINE NUTS
From The New Spanish Table. According to the author, though cannelloni may have their origins in Italy, they have become something of a Catalan national dish. Rather than ricotta fillings and tomato-based sauces, Catalon cannelloni dishes can be filled with fish, ground meat or spinach. No-boil lasagna noodles can be used in place of cannelloni squares. I love the raisins in this, but they're the only thing my son doesn't like about it, so go with your own best judgments about family preferences.
Provided by pattikay in L.A.
Categories Spinach
Time 55m
Yield 4 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 14
Steps:
- If using fresh spinach, rinse but do not drain. Cook, covered in a large saucepan over medium heat in the water clinging to the leaves, till wilted, about 4-5 minutes, stirring a few times.
- Transfer the spinach to a colander and drain, when cool enough to handle, squeeze out the excess moisture. finely chop the spinach. (if using frozen, thaw and press out excess moisture).
- Heat 2 T of the olive oil in a large skillet over low heat.
- Add the garlic, pine nuts, raisins and ham, if using, and cook till the pine nuts and garlic are golden, 3-5 minutes.
- Add the chopped spinach and cook for about 1 minute, stirring to distribute all the ingredients evenly.
- Season the spinach with salt and pepper to taste, transfer it to a bowl and set aside.
- Melt the butter with the remaining 1 T olive oil in a heavy, medium sized saucepan over medium low heat.
- Whisk in the flour and cook, whisking for about 2 minutes.
- Add the milk in a steady stream, and bring to a boil over high heat, whisking constantly.
- Reduce the heat to low and simmer, whisking occasionally, till the sauce thickens, about 2 minutes.
- Stir in the nutmeg and season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Set about 1/2 cup of the spinach mixture aside.
- To finish off the filling, stir 2/3 cup of the sauce into the remaining spinach, set the rest of the sauce aside.
- Preheat oven to 400°F; lightly butter a 12x9 gratin dish or shallow ceramic baking dish.
- Bring 5-6 quarts water to a boil over high heat.
- Place a large bowl of ice water next to the pot.
- Working in two batches, boil the sheets of pasta, stirring to separate them, till al dente - about 2 minutes for fresh pasta and about 6 minutes for no boil lasagna noodles.
- Using tongs, transfer the noodles to the ice water to stop the cooking.
- Lift the noodles from the water, shaking off excess and lay them flat on a dry linen towel.
- Repeat with the remaining pasta, bringing the water back to a rolling boil before adding the second batch.
- Pat the pasta dry with paper towels before filling it.
- Place about 1/4 cup of the spinach filling close to one end of a noodle (if using lasagna, use the long end), shaping it into a compact log.
- Starting with a long end, roll up the noodle, then cut it in half crosswise.
- Place the filled noodles seam side down in the prepared dish.
- Repeat with remaining noodles and filling.
- The filled noodles should fit snugly in a single layer.
- Stir the reserved 1/2 cup of spinach and any of the filling you may have left over into the served sauce and spread evenly over the cannelloni.
- Sprinkle the cheese evenly on top.
- Bake till the cannelloni are hot and the top is browned and bubbly, about 25 minutes.
- If you'd like the top more browned, pass the dish under the broiler for a few minutes.
- Let cool for a few minutes then serve straight from the baking dish.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 550.7, Fat 40.1, SaturatedFat 16.5, Cholesterol 71.3, Sodium 664.8, Carbohydrate 30.3, Fiber 4.5, Sugar 10.5, Protein 22.8
Tips:
- Fresh Ingredients: Use the freshest greens available for the best flavor and texture.
- Blanching: Blanching the greens helps to remove bitterness and retain their vibrant color.
- Sautéed Aromatics: Sautéing garlic, onion, and tomatoes adds depth of flavor to the dish.
- Almonds and Pine Nuts: Toasting nuts enhances their flavor and adds a crunchy texture.
- Raisins: Soaking raisins in water or wine plumps them up and adds sweetness to the dish.
- Seasoning: Use salt, pepper, paprika, and other seasonings to taste.
- Serve Warm: Catalan-style greens are best served warm as a side dish or as a main course with grilled or roasted meats.
Conclusion:
Catalan-style greens are a delicious and nutritious dish that is easy to prepare. With its combination of fresh greens, toasted nuts, raisins, and flavorful seasonings, this dish is sure to please everyone at the table. Whether you are looking for a healthy side dish or a hearty main course, Catalan-style greens are a great choice. So next time you have a bunch of greens on hand, give this recipe a try!
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