Spinach contains many valuable nutrients – vitamins and mineral salts as well as beta-carotene and lutein, which are powerful antioxidants. Spinach leaves are especially rich in vitamin C, iron, potassium, magnesium and folic acid. How to cook spinach?
What is spinach?
The nutritional properties and value of spinach was already known in ancient Persia, which is why this vegetable was called “Persian herb”. In the eleventh century, spinach was brought to today’s Spain and from there went to other European countries.
Fresh spinach leaves – how to cook
Immediately before cooking, wash the spinach thoroughly, remove all wilted or yellowed leaves and cut the tails.
Throw the spinach into a small amount of boiling water so that the leaves are covered. Boil the spinach for 2-5 minutes. We start counting the time from the moment the water boils again. Immediately after setting salt (approx. 2 teaspoons per 1 liter of water). It is also worth sweetening slightly (approx. 1 teaspoon per 1 liter of water). In the middle of cooking, you can add milk to the water, which will prevent the leaching of calcium from the bones by microelements. We cook uncovered. Spinach is ready when it has completely lost its firmness.
Frozen spinach
Immediately before cooking, the spinach is thawed and squeezed out of the water and the tails removed.
We put the spinach in a small amount of boiling salted water (about 2 teaspoons per 1 liter of water) – enough to cover the leaves. It is also worth sweetening slightly (approx. 1 teaspoon per 1 liter of water). Boil the spinach for 2-5 minutes. We start counting the time from the moment the water boils again. In the middle of cooking, you can add milk to the water, which will prevent the leaching of calcium from the bones by microelements. We cook uncovered. Spinach is ready when it has completely lost its firmness.
Spinach for anemia
Spinach is recommended for the treatment of anemia. Meanwhile, plant products (including spinach) as sources of iron do not work at all. A similar amount of iron, as in spinach, is found in beef.
What extras to spinach?
Spinach goes very well with garlic, salt and pepper. In addition, spinach works well with cheese: feta cheese, yellow cheese and blue cheese. A touch of sweet cream will give it a velvety look and taste. We have many possibilities, which is why we serve two simple and tasty recipes for spinach dishes.
Recipe for spinach with garlic cream
Ingredients:
- pack of frozen spinach (in season you can replace it with fresh)
- 4 tablespoons of butter
- 4 garlic cloves
- 5 tablespoons of sweet cream
Melt the butter in a pan. Put in frozen spinach or washed and impressed spinach. Heat with butter for a while. Add half a glass of water and simmer on low heat. Add garlic and sweet cream, pressed through Prague. Season the spinach to taste with salt and pepper. Stew for about 15 minutes. until the spinach is soft and the excess liquid evaporates. Such spinach is a great addition to dinner.
