I'd like to be eating more veggies. Bell pepper, cucumber, broccili, carrots, jalepenos, frozen peas, the occasional zuchinni (they're pricey!), recently more green beans. But I am bored. I am thinking spinach would be good. I hear so much about how good it is for you. What's your favorite spinach recipe? So far I've been using fresh on most of those listed above, but am not against using frozen. But all I know to do would be to sautee butter and garlic and toss in the raw spinach and coook it down, add salt & pepper. I'd like to incorporate it into a whole dish - like spinach with pasta with chicken or beans ...... but don't know where on earth to start with that.
Y'all are already making me drool. Rachel - I LOVE pizza. All recipes sound great, but this one I wish I could have right now for breakfast! I am printing these out and making my grocery list right now. Thank you ladies. Keep them coming!
So I went to the store shortly after posting this question. Tonight we made pizzas (not quite Rachel's recipe, but I did pile on the spinach, bell pepper, olives and tomatoes, plus pepperonis, minus feta). And while the oven was on hot, I tried a go at the spinach chips. Very interesting. I would describe them as a very airy green popcorn. They were super-brittle but they did all get eaten (me and husband. Son tried it and said no thanks). I got garbanzo beans while at the store, cucumber too, so I am going to have a fun spinach weekend trying it out. Oh and I opened a jar of spaghetti sauce today, so will likely cook spinach and dump some in my pasta dish sometime soon too. THANKS ladies. :)
Hi jess-
My favorite with spinach is a salad. Baby spinach...sliced olives...peeled cubed cucumber...garbonzo (sp?) beans...feta cheese...evoo and the juice of a lemon or two...salt/pepper to taste. Let 'marry' in the fridge a bit....
YUM
michele/cat
***almost forgot...cherry or grape tomatoes sliced in half***
I love my veggies! One of my favorite spinach recipes is:
1 teaspoon of olive oil
a good splash of soy sauce
saute mushrooms
add spinach
Another is:
use frozen puff pastry dough and make parcels filled with spinach, ricotta cheese and sauteed onion. (I think I can find the full recipe if your are interested)
I put spinach in EVERYTHING, we looooove spinach.
Kids favorite? Get a pizza crust, brush with olive oil, load it up with fresh baby spinach, artichoke hearts, tomatoes, olives, green peppers, grilled chicken, feta, mozzarella, and oregano... YUM :)
You can saute the spinach and add it to pasta/chicken just like that--alfredo or red sauce. Yum!
Warm spinach salad is one of my favorites and it's so simple.
Hard boiled eggs sliced
Bacon crumbled
blue cheese crumbled
warm dijon vinaigrette (I make my own, but don't have the recipe in front of me)
You make the dressing in a saucepan so that it's warm, but not hot. Pour the dressing over the spinach so that it's coated, but not drenched. It will wilt slightly. Then top with the eggs, bacon and cheese (just a little). It's a great side dish. Add grilled chicken and you've got a salad dinner!
I've also made oven-friend spinach. Sounds strange, but it's delicious.
- lightly coat spinach leaves in olive oiel and sprinkle with salt
- bake at 425 for 10 minutes or so and they come out like spinach chips!
You can do them in hot oil on the stove as well!
I serve spinach with beans whan we have fish or chicken. It can also be the main dish without the spices and have a small salad on the side. I like to use black beans.
1 can black beans--or make your own and use as much as you want but at least 2 cups
1 can or cup crozen corn
1 small chopped onion
1 or 2 cloves garlic, minced
salt and pepper to taste
red pepper flakes or powder. I use powder because that is what I usually have
saute the onion and garlic-add tomatoes too if you like. Add in the red pepper and let cook for a minute. Then add in the black beans and corn. Cook for 2 minutes. Add in a cup of chicken broth. Once they cook another minute, add in 2 cups of spinach leaves. Let this cook until the liquid is reduced a bit and the spinach is well wilted. I like to use baby spinach and chop just once or twice. Then use salt and pepper to taste. The best thing about this is you can make it however you want, adding in chopped red peppers and eliminating the red repper flakes or powder, increase the garlic or whatever. You could probably even serve over wide noodles though I have not.
I love a warm spinach salad with onion and goat cheese (you just sautee lightly in skillet until some of it wilts)
I love to toss it into pasta at the very end. Like a penne with some olives, tomato, cheese and spinach. You can use fresh or frozen for that.
We add spinach to pretty much everything Italian in my house. If I'm making lasagne, toss it on top of the pasta & under the cheese for every layer. If I'm making manicotti, add it into the ricotta mixture before stuffing the pasta. If I'm making stuffed chicken, again, add it to the cheese before rolling the chicken up. If I'm making any type of soup, spinach can be added. Fresh spinach salad is great for you as well with a balsamic vinegrette dressing, some sliced strawberries, goat cheese & a handful of sliced almonds. Yum-o!
Quiche! I freaking love it. You can make it in cupcake pans and freeze them for quick breakfast grabs. I also like to eat it by the can. put some extra virgin olive oil and a dash of garlic powder...sooo yummy. the best is to have it as a salad. fresh baby spinach with your fav salad toppings. or even fresh baby spinach in your sandwich and wraps. good luck. sorry i am not a great cook and dont have any awesome dishes!
You can add spinach and cooked chicken to Alfredo sauce. Just make sure you get all the water out of the spinach.
One of my favorites (and my 19 mo DD's too) is to sauté sliced carrots, onion, garlic and broccoli in olive oil until they are soft. Right before they are finished throw in fresh spinach and let it cook down.
While you are doing that boil water and make orzo. After the orzo is done, drain water and put back in the pot. Mix in the veggies and drizzle a little olive or coconut oil. Enjoy!
For everyday I just clean it really well and steam it in the microwave. Fresh spinach should be washed in three different rinses to get out dirt or sand. I pull off the big stems. Frozen just doesn't have the same flavor. Spinach cooks so quickly that you can add it to anything really. I wilt it in a skillet to add to quiche. I do a yummy main course with chicken and spinach. I saute small pieces of boneless skinless chicken, add garlic and onions to the pan and cook them until they wilt a little and the chicken is done. I put in a bunch of spinach and just wilt it (very fast). Turn down the heat and add the zest and juice of one lemon, and then stir in some sour cream or nonfat plain yogurt with a little salt and pepper. Serve over rice or noodles. Proportions are variable according to taste and how many people you're feeding. I usually use a pound or two of chicken, one onion, and 8 to 16 ounces of sour cream or yogurt.
I use spinach in pasta all the time. I toss in in the sauce that I make- usually a white sauce with EVOO, onions, garlic, spinach and greek yogurt with chicken or shrimp.
I also love it on sandwiches and salads raw.
My boys will tolerate creamed spinach. I buy it frozen, though.
Great in pizza- you can buy spinach pizza or use it under the cheese if you make your own.
