Spinach, a leafy green vegetable loaded with essential vitamins and minerals, is a culinary delight when prepared correctly. Whether you prefer it steamed, sautéed, or blended into a creamy sauce, spinach's versatility allows for a wide range of sensational dishes. This article will guide you through the process of selecting the freshest spinach and provide expert tips for cooking it to perfection. From simple side dishes to hearty main courses, get ready to explore a world of flavor with our collection of the best spinach recipes.
Here are our top 6 tried and tested recipes!
GARLIC SAUTEED SPINACH
Dinner couldn't be simpler with Ina Garten's Garlic Sauteed Spinach recipe from Barefoot Contessa on Food Network. It's an easy, go-to side dish for your table.
Provided by Ina Garten
Categories side-dish
Time 10m
Yield 6 servings
Number Of Ingredients 8
Steps:
- Rinse the spinach well in cold water to make sure it's very clean. Spin it dry in a salad spinner, leaving just a little water clinging to the leaves.
- In a very large pot or Dutch oven, heat the olive oil and saute the garlic over medium heat for about 1 minute, but not until it's browned. Add all the spinach, the salt, and pepper to the pot, toss it with the garlic and oil, cover the pot, and cook it for 2 minutes. Uncover the pot, turn the heat on high, and cook the spinach for another minute, stirring with a wooden spoon, until all the spinach is wilted. Using a slotted spoon, lift the spinach to a serving bowl and top with the butter, a squeeze of lemon, and a sprinkling of sea or kosher salt. Serve hot.
SENSATIONAL SPINACH
This spinach is sensational! The sour cream really helps keep the dish from being dry. The soup mix adds a savory punch of onion flavor. This is a great side dish for any time of the year, but is impressive enough for the holidays. I am almost positive I'll never eat plain steamed spinach again.
Provided by Barb Janisse
Categories Side Casseroles
Time 40m
Number Of Ingredients 4
Steps:
- 1. Cook spinach in boiling salted water, or microwave, and drain.
- 2. Blend together the remaining ingredients and combine with spinach.
- 3. Put mixture into greased casserole.
- 4. Bake at 350* for 30 minutes.
SPINACH TURNOVERS
The flaky cream cheese pastry adds sensational texture to these hot appetizers-and just wait until you taste the wonderful filling. I usually fix a double batch and freeze some to have on hand in case unexpected guests drop by. - Jean von Bereghy, Oconomowoc, Wisconsin
Provided by Taste of Home
Categories Appetizers
Time 40m
Yield about 4 dozen.
Number Of Ingredients 15
Steps:
- In a bowl, beat cream cheese and butter until smooth. Combine flour and salt; gradually add to creamed mixture (dough will be stiff). Turn onto a floured surface; gently knead 10 times. Cover and refrigerate at least 2 hours. , In a skillet, cook bacon until crisp. Remove bacon; reserve 1 tablespoon drippings. Saute onion and garlic in drippings until tender. Remove from heat; stir in bacon, spinach, cottage cheese and seasonings. Cool. , On a lightly floured surface, roll dough to 1/8-in. thickness. Cut into 3-in. circles; brush edges with egg. Place 1 heaping teaspoon of filling on each circle. Fold over; seal edges. Prick tops with a fork. Brush with egg. , Bake at 400° for 10-12 minutes or until golden brown. Serve with salsa if desired.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 103 calories, Fat 8g fat (4g saturated fat), Cholesterol 23mg cholesterol, Sodium 129mg sodium, Carbohydrate 6g carbohydrate (1g sugars, Fiber 0 fiber), Protein 2g protein.
QUICK AND EASY SAUTEED SPINACH
Fresh spinach is cooked in olive oil with garlic salt and Parmesan cheese in this recipe.
Provided by Denee
Categories Side Dish Vegetables Greens
Time 15m
Yield 4
Number Of Ingredients 4
Steps:
- Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the spinach to the skillet and cover; allow to cook 5 minutes. Stir in the garlic salt and cover again for another 5 minutes; remove from heat. Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese to serve.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 74.7 calories, Carbohydrate 3.1 g, Cholesterol 5.5 mg, Fat 5.4 g, Fiber 1.6 g, Protein 4.5 g, SaturatedFat 1.6 g, Sodium 831.2 mg, Sugar 0.4 g
SENSATIONAL SPINACH
Number Of Ingredients 4
Steps:
- Cook and drain the spinach well. Combine all ingredients in a greased baking dish and bake 25 minutes at 350°. May top with bacon bits. (Also good with chopped broccoli.)
Nutrition Facts : Nutritional Facts Serves
SENSATIONAL SPINACH-BACON BAKE
Puffs up while baking to a light topping; with delicious layers of spinach, bacon, and sour cream. A weeknight dinner. From America's Favorite Casseroles with modifications. Note: Time to prepare does not include thawing the spinach.
Provided by Caroline Cooks
Categories One Dish Meal
Time 45m
Yield 6-8 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 10
Steps:
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
- Spray 2 quart baking dish with cooking spray.
- Cook bacon over medium heat until crisp; drain on paper towels; and crumble.
- Saute onions in bacon drippings to soften; drain well.
- Set aside.
- Combine sour cream, egg yolks, flour and pepper in large bowl; set aside.
- Beat egg whites in medium bowl with mixer at high speed until stiff peaks form.
- Stir 1/4 of whites into sour cream mixture; then fold in remaining whites.
- Arrange half of spinach in prepared dish. Top with half of sour cream mixture.
- Sprinkle 1/4 cup of cheese over sour cream mixture.
- Sprinkle with bacon and onions. Repeat layers, ending with remaining 1/4 cup cheese.
- Combine bread crumbs and butter; sprinkle evenly over cheese.
- Bake, uncovered for 30-35 minutes or until egg mixture is set and top is golden.
- Let stand 5 minutes before slicing into wedges to serve.
- Optional: Garnish with chopped chives and/or chopped Roma tomatoes.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 399.2, Fat 32.2, SaturatedFat 14.1, Cholesterol 159.9, Sodium 538.1, Carbohydrate 13.5, Fiber 2.2, Sugar 1.6, Protein 14.7
Tips:
- Choose fresh, tender spinach: Look for spinach leaves that are dark green and free of blemishes. Avoid wilted or yellowing leaves.
- Wash spinach thoroughly: Before using, rinse spinach leaves in cold water several times to remove any dirt or grit.
- Use a variety of cooking methods: Spinach can be sautéed, steamed, boiled, or baked. Each method produces a slightly different flavor and texture, so experiment to find your favorite way to cook spinach.
- Add spinach to salads: Spinach is a great addition to salads, both raw and cooked. Raw spinach adds a crisp texture and a mild flavor, while cooked spinach adds a more tender texture and a sweeter flavor.
- Use spinach in soups and stews: Spinach is a great way to add nutrients and flavor to soups and stews. Add spinach leaves to the pot during the last few minutes of cooking, or stir in cooked spinach just before serving.
- Use spinach in pasta dishes: Spinach can be used in a variety of pasta dishes, from simple sautéed spinach with garlic and olive oil to more complex dishes like spinach and ricotta ravioli.
- Use spinach in egg dishes: Spinach is a great addition to egg dishes, such as omelets, frittatas, and quiches. It adds a pop of color and nutrients to these dishes.
- Use spinach in smoothies: Spinach is a great way to add a boost of nutrients to smoothies. It has a mild flavor that blends well with other fruits and vegetables.
Conclusion:
Spinach is a versatile and nutritious vegetable that can be used in a variety of dishes. It is a good source of vitamins A, C, and K, as well as folate, iron, and magnesium. Spinach is also a low-calorie food, making it a great choice for people who are watching their weight. With its mild flavor and tender texture, spinach is a great addition to salads, soups, stews, pasta dishes, egg dishes, and smoothies. So next time you're looking for a healthy and delicious way to add more vegetables to your diet, reach for spinach.
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