How to Cook Spinach

Spinach has been on menus centuries before Popeye made it popular. It is true, however, that eating this vegetable can make you stronger and healthier. A nutrition powerhouse that can nourish your body from head to toe, it contains high levels of vitamins and minerals. Knowing how to cook spinach the correct way can open up many possibilities for both your daily menu and your health.

Why You Should Know How to Cook Spinach

Spinach is popularly associated with muscle and strength. This might be because it provides plenty of protein, calcium and iron. All three are responsible for maintaining and improving bone, brain and muscle function. Other nutrients include potassium, folate and vitamin A to mention a few. Having regular servings of spinach, therefore, can give your body the nourishment it needs to perform at its optimum.

How to Cook Spinach

From eaten raw to creaming, there are many quick ways you can learn how to cook spinach.

Prepping

Spinach needs to be washed thoroughly. Oftentimes, it contains traces of dirt and dust in the creases on its leaves. Using a strainer or salad spinner is recommended. Cut off the stems as close to the leaves as you can. Cut or tear leaves into smaller pieces, preferably a few inches tall. Run spinach under cold or lukewarm water again and leave to dry.

Boil

Grab a pot and add your spinach. Avoid filling the entire pot. Spinach should only reach about halfway. Pour enough water to cover and sprinkle a teaspoon or two of salt evenly. Boil until it produces steam and allow cooking for 5 minutes. Drain and sit spinach inside ice cold water for approximately 30 seconds. Shake remaining water off and serve.

Sauté

Coat a large pan with 2 to 3 tablespoons of oil. Sauté chopped onion or garlic until golden brown. Add spinach leaves and turn them to coat them with oil as well. Cover and let it cook for a minute. Toss and turn leaves again and cook for another minute. When leaves are wilted, remove from heat, season and serve.

Cream

In a sizeable pot, boil spinach for 1 to 2 minutes. Remove from heat and pat until dry. Chop leaves finely with a sharp knife. In a pan, heat 1 to 2 tablespoons of butter or cooking oil. Add a handful of chopped onion and garlic if you prefer. Sauté until they are slightly brown and pour ½ cup of heavy cream into the pan. Stir the creamy mixture thoroughly. Add chopped spinach and simmer covered on low heat for 2 to 3 minutes. Remove from heat, sprinkle salt and pepper, and enjoy creamed spinach. Another dish that I enjoyed a lot is called Crawfish in Coconut Milk with Spinach.

Cooking Tips

When learning how to cook spinach, you should always buy more of it than you need. This is because spinach shrinks as it cooks. Avoid spinach with discolored leaves or that with a slippery texture. Choose crisp spinach with darker leaves instead.

Spinach is a low-calorie, tender vegetable that is easy to cook and quick to prepare. If you don’t like nibbling on it raw, use any of the simple cooking methods provided. Learning how to cook spinach is not only easy, but is great for your body too.