Difference between revisions of "Prepare Spinach"

#Select healthy spinach. Browse the spinach section at the store or farmer's market for bunches with dark green, fresh leaves. Don't get a bunch with yellow, wilted, bruised, or mushy leaves.<ref name="rf1">http://recipes.howstuffworks.com/tools-and-techniques/how-to-cook-vegetables10.htm</ref> It's important to select fresh spinach so that it can last long enough to be part of a tasty meal. At the grocery store, most of the spinach you find will already be separated from its stems and will be in a sealed bag. At the farmer's market, most spinach will come in a nice leafy bunch.

#*The most common type of spinach is smooth-leafed spinach, which has flat, smooth leaves that are perfect for cleaning.<ref name="rf2">http://www.grow-it-organically.com/spinach-varieties.html#savoy</ref>  

#Store the spinach in a plastic bag in the refrigerator. It can be stored this way for 3 days.<ref name="rf1" /> If you've purchased the type of spinach in a sealed bag, make sure that you keep it closed tight with a clip after you've opened it so that the remaining spinach remains fresh. If you don't plan on using it right away, then you should store it until you're ready to use it. You shouldn't wash or dry it until you're ready to cook it, or it will wilt.

#Boil the spinach. One of the easiest ways to cook your spinach is to simply boil it. You can boil it and enjoy it on its own, or boil it as a first step to creaming it. Here's all you have to do to boil your spinach:<ref name="rf3">http://www.food.com/recipe/boiled-spinach-9687</ref>

#[[Sauté Spinach|Sautée the spinach]]. Sauteing is one of the most common methods of cooking spinach. All you need to do it besides 2 bunches of spinach is some olive oil, 2 cloves of sliced garlic (optional), and salt and pepper to taste. Here's what you should do:<ref name="rf4">http://www.doitdelicious.com/recipes/make_it/sauteed_spinach_and_garlic</ref>

#[[Make Cream Spinach|Cream the spinach]]. Creaming spinach is an excellent way to make your spinach dish more rich, hearty, and delicious. You can enjoy this dish on its own or serve it with steak, chicken, or another protein of your choice. You'll need the following ingredients: 24 ounces of spinach, 1 stick of butter, 8 tablespoons of flour, 1/2 diced medium onion, 3 minced cloves of garlic, 2 cups of milk, and salt and pepper to taste. Here's what you need to do to cream spinach:<ref name="rf5">http://thepioneerwoman.com/cooking/2009/04/creamed-spinach-to-die-for/</ref>

#Bake the spinach. Baked spinach, like creamed spinach, is another rich and hearty preparation method for spinach. This method also has the bonus of rich, cheesy goodness. Here are all the ingredients you'll need to make it: 1/2 cup chopped onion, 2 tablespoons of butter, 2 packages of spinach, 1/2 cup heavy whipping cream, 1/3 cup milk, 5 divided tablespoons of shredded Parmesan cheese, 1/4 cup dry bread crumbs, and salt and pepper to taste. Here's how you bake it:<ref name="rf6">http://www.tasteofhome.com/recipes/herbed-baked-spinach</ref>

#Make a spinach smoothie. Spinach can add a healthy, delicious flavor to any vegetable or fruit smoothie. In general, all you have to do to make a smoothie with spinach is to add spinach as well as whatever other ingredients you'd like to use to a blender and blend them until they're smooth. Here are some ingredients you can use to make a spinach and pear smoothie:<ref name="rf7">http://www.yummly.com/recipe/external/Green-Smoothie-with-Spinach_-Pear_-and-Ginger-518721</ref>