It's time to try other ways of preparing spinach, the best source of iron!
The benefits of spinach have long been known, but when it comes to its preparation, you usually opt for a simple pan with rice and spinach.
It's time to try other ways that will delight your family, even the most picky ones.
Only a few vegetables can be placed in the category of pop culture legends, and among them is the spinach that was popularized by the cartoon Popeye. Mothers often use it as an example when they want to convince their children to eat this healthy vegetable. Although over the years the primacy of green leafy vegetables has been taken over by others such as kale, kohlrabi, etc., spinach still leads in the content of vitamins, iron, folic acid, calcium, potassium and vegetable fibers.
Cooking ideas
Spinach spread - hot, cold, with or without artichokes. In combination with homemade crispy bread, crackers, carrot or celery sticks. The spread is also great for small parties. You can prepare it in combination with vegetables and add cream. If you want it hot, the combination with artichokes is good. Some culinary blogs on the Internet also suggest recipes in which you can use the spread to fill chicken steak rolls.
Quiche – this French pie that can be eaten for breakfast, lunch and dinner, instead of just eggs and cheese, enrich it with spinach. For a tastier quiche, be creative and add chopped bacon. One more salad and the meal is ready.
Salad – alone or in combination with other green leafy vegetables, spinach is perfect for a salad. You can combine it with lettuce, iceberg, kale and even Belgian endive. For dressing, you can use whatever you want, because spinach does not have an intense taste that will not combine well with a spicy dressing.
Creamy spinach – make a cream sauce from cooking cream in a pan, mix it with chopped spinach and add some chopped bacon. There is no tastier side dish for any meat dish.
Stewed spinach – if you are in a hurry, put the washed spinach in a pan with a little butter, garlic and salt. Simmer, stirring occasionally, until tender. Feel free to add mushrooms or other vegetables depending on your taste.
Smoothie – this healthy drink is simply a must on your menu. If not every day, at least 2-3 times a week prepare it for the whole family. In addition to spinach, add ingredients that you like at home to the smoothie. For example, for children it will be good in combination with banana or apple. It is good in combination with other vegetables, a little grated ginger, etc.
In pies – spinach mixed with eggs, cottage cheese, leeks, etc. is a good filling in pies, regardless of whether they are rolled homemade or you decide to use puff pastry or ready-made pie crusts. Make a pie or you can make small triangles filled with spinach filling. Let your culinary creativity guide you and surprise everyone with homemade pizza with spinach, ricotta and garlic.
Sweet spinach – for the bravest, this is a suggestion that will inspire them. Spinach combined with peanut butter and chocolate is an irresistible combination.
How to use it properly
In stores today, in addition to weighing a kilo, spinach is sold packaged in bags. And while spinach bought at the market must be washed by the measurement because it is full of dirt, spinach packaging often says it is ready to eat. However, be careful and be sure to wash it before use.
According to scientists from the American Research Institute at the University of Wisconsin, it is quite possible that packaged "ultra-clean" spinach contains the listeria bacterium, which is most commonly found in the country and causes disease. This bacterium is not washed off by simply rinsing with water, although the soil and other impurities are washed away, but you must soak the leaves for a long time in water in which you will put a little baking soda or vinegar.