Spinach may be the vanilla of vegetables, but its benefits are innumerable. Filled with iron, spinach is one of the best vegetables for keeping anemia at bay. It contains antioxidants that will keep your skin glowing. With its high fiber content, you should make it an everyday meal.1
Spinach can be used in salads, soups, smoothies, salads, sandwiches, pasta, and also on its own as a healthy snack option. Here are different spinach recipes good for the whole family.
1. Spinach And Watermelon Salad2
Cooking time: 30 minutes
Ingredients
- ½ cup baby spinach
- 1 cup of watermelon, chopped
- ½ cup quinoa
- 2 tablespoon pumpkin seeds
- 1 ripe avocado
- 1 tbsp chopped mint
- 2-ounce feta cheese
- 1 tablespoon of lime juice
- A handful of salad cress
Method
- Wash the quinoa, then put it in a pan and add water. Cover with a lid and cook for at 15 minutes at medium heat. When cooked, it gets fluffy and may stick to the pan. Comb it through with a fork and set it aside.
- On a separate pan, toast the pumpkin seeds until they pop.
- On a platter, add the pumpkin seeds to the spinach, watermelon, mint, avocado, and feta. Mix them in the quinoa and sprinkle the lime juice over it.
- Top it with the cress and serve.
Cooking Tip
- You can add seasoning or spice of your choice to the salad.
- Use dried spinach to add a tasty flavor.
2. Spinach And Matcha Powder Pancakes3
Cooking time: 30 minutes
Ingredients
- ½ cup spinach
- 1 cup self-rising flour
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 teaspoon matcha powder
- 3.5 oz milk
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 2 tablespoon maple syrup
- 3 eggs
- 1 oz butter
- 4 tablespoon lime curd or honey
- 4 tablespoon natural yogurt
Method
- Pour the spinach, matcha powder, and milk into a blender and whisk up until there are no lumps. Pour the mixture into a large bowl with the other ingredients and beat until it’s smooth.
- Melt some butter in a non-stick pan and pour the batter in small portions. Let them cook 2 minutes, then turn over and cook the other side. Do this until all the batter is finished.
- Drizzle warm lime curd or honey and serve the pancakes hot.
Cooking Tip
- You can eat the pancakes with a side of green grapes, sliced apples, pears, or a handful of blueberries. Garnish with mint leaves for the eye-appeal.
3. Spinach And Strawberry Smoothie4
Cooking time: 10 minutes
Ingredients
- 1 cup ripe strawberries, hulled
- ½ cup baby spinach
- 1 small avocado (cut and seed removed )
- 5 oz bio yogurt
- ¼ cup of freshly squeezed orange juice
- ½ tsp orange zest
Method
- Rinse the strawberries and the spinach.
- Pour all the ingredients in a blender and blend until there are no chunks visible. Check for your desired consistency. If it’s too thick, pour in some chilled water then whizz again.
- Serve chilled and fresh.
Cooking Tip
Throw in some ice cubes to make it cooler if you don’t want to put it in the fridge before you drink it. This spinach recipe is incredible if you’re dieting.
4. Spinach Soup5
Cooking time: 35 minutes
Ingredients
- 1 cup spinach
- 1 ounce salted butter
- 2 small sticks celery
- 1 bunch spring onions
- 1 leek
- A small potato
- ½ tsp ground black pepper
- 1 liter chicken or vegetable stock
- 5 oz half-fat crème fraîche
Method
- Wash and chop the vegetables. Peel and dice the potatoes.
- In a large pan, heat the butter and the chopped celery, spring onions, leek, and potato. Stir well and cover. Let it cook and turn them a couple of times.
- Slowly pour the stock into the vegetables and cook for 10 minutes. The potato should get soft.
- Put in the spinach and let it simmer for 3 minutes until wilted.
- Transfer the cooked mixture into a bowl and use a hand blender to blend to a smooth soup.
- Stir in the crème fraîche and serve.
Cooking Tip
The blending may cause the soup to cool, reheat it before serving. Use sour cream if you can’t access the crème fraîche.
5. Cheese And Spinach Pie6
Cooking time: 30 minutes
Ingredients
- ¼ cup frozen spinach
- 2 tsp parmesan
- 4 tsp cheddar (grated)
- A pinch of ground nutmeg
- Flour (for dusting)
- 7 oz shortcrust pastry
Method
- Defrost the spinach.
- Preheat the oven to 180°.
- Put the baking parchment on the baking tin.
- Lay the spinach on kitchen paper and pat flat to get rid of excess water.
- Put the spinach in a bowl and add the cheeses and nutmeg. Mix through and set aside.
- Dust some flour on your working surface.
- Roll the pastry out in a long rectangle and cut out 6 circles with a biscuit cutter.
- Brush the pastry ends with water and then put the spinach mixture into the middle of each circle with a spoon.
- Next, pull the ends and press them together. Brush the tops with water and piece with a fork to make holes.
- Put in the oven and bake for 20 minutes until it’s golden.
- Let it cool and serve.
Cooking Tips
Defrost the spinach in advance to save on cooking time. The spinach pastries can be eaten warm or cold. They are an excellent snack for take-away lunches and picnic.
6. Chilli Spinach And Lemon Crumbs Snack7
Cooking time: 5 minutes
Ingredients
- 2 cups spinach
- ½ cup fresh breadcrumb
- 1 oz butter
- 1 lemon zest
- 2 garlic cloves,
- 1 red chili, finely
Method
- Heat a frying pan and put in the butter. When it melts and foams, place the breadcrumbs, crushed garlic zest, and chopped chilli. Fry until light brown and crispy.
- Add seasoning and set aside.
- Put the spinach on the same pan and stir until it wilts.
- Sprinkle the crunchy crumbs on top serve hot.
Cooking Tip
For more flavor, season the spinach when it’s cooking as well.
Take Away
Spinach is versatile and easy to cook. Most spinach recipes take a short time to make, making them a quick healthy meal when you’re pressed for time.
Spinach is a soft vegetable, suitable even for babies and younger children for the whole family. Try out these recipes with our dried spinach today.
References
- https://motherearthproducts.com/products/dried-spinach
- https://www.myrecipes.com/recipe/spinach-and-watermelon-salad
- https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/spinach-matcha-pancakes
- https://www.wellplated.com/strawberry-spinach-smoothie/
- https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/spinach-soup
- https://www.aspicyperspective.com/savory-cheese-and-spinach-pie-recipe/
- https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/spinach-chilli-lemon-crumbs