Braised Spinach Recipes

SAUTEED SPINACH WITH BACON

Steps:

• In a large skillet over medium heat, cook bacon until crispy, 5 to 8 minutes. With a slotted spoon, remove bacon, leaving fat in skillet; drain on a paper towel. Set aside.
• Increase heat to high; fill skillet with as much spinach as will fit. Season with salt and pepper. Cook, tossing spinach and adding more as it wilts (it may take up to 2 minutes to fit it all). Continue to cook until tender, 1 to 3 minutes.
• Tilt skillet to drain water from spinach (using slotted spoon or a spatula to hold spinach back). Mix in vinegar; season with salt and pepper. Serve sprinkled with crispy bacon.

QUICK AND EASY SAUTEED SPINACH

Steps:

• Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the spinach to the skillet and cover; allow to cook 5 minutes. Stir in the garlic salt and cover again for another 5 minutes; remove from heat. Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese to serve.

RED WINE BRAISED FRENCH LENTILS

Steps:

• Parboil the lentils 5 minutes and drain. Set aside.
• Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a medium saucepan or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add the onion, celery, and carrots. Sauté 5 minutes until lightly browned.
• Add garlic, tomato paste and sage. Cook 1-2 minutes more, stirring frequently.
• Stir in wine, water, mustard, lentils, bay leaf, salt and pepper. Bring to a boil, reduce to simmer. Gently simmer partially covered for 25 minutes or until tender, stirring occasionally.
• Meanwhile, heat remaining 2 teaspoons of olive oil in a sauté pan over medium-high heat. Add pearl onions; season with salt and pepper. Sauté 5-7 minutes until tender and caramelized, stirring frequently.
• Once lentils are tender, add the spinach a couple handfuls at a time allowing each addition to wilt before adding the next.
• Stir pearl onions into the lentils. Remove bay leaf.
• Serve warm in bowls with toasted bread of choice or as a side dish. See post for additional serving suggestions. Enjoy!

BRAISED SPINACH WITH GARLIC, ONION, AND PINE NUTS

Steps:

• Heat a large pot or Dutch oven (it has to be large to hold spinach before wilting) over medium-high heat.
• Heat 1-2 Tbsp olive oil, and saute onion until translucent.
• Add garlic, and continue cooking until onion just begins to brown around the edges, but garlic is not browning.
• Add spinach, with just the water clinging to the leaves, adding by handfuls as the spinach wilts and makes room for more, until all of the spinach is incorporated.
• If desired, drain the rendered juices from the pan before continuing.
• Season with nutmeg, lemon zest and juice, salt, and pepper, to taste, continuing to toss spinach until it is just wilted, but still bright green.
• Stir in toasted pine nuts, and drizzle with more lemon juice and olive oil if desired.

BRAISED SPINACH

Steps:

• Heat the oil in a very large pot over medium heat. Add the onion and garlic, and saute until tender, about 8 minutes. Add 1/3 of the spinach and saute until it begins to wilt, about 1 to 2 minutes. Continue adding the spinach 1 handful at a time, sauteing just until it begins to wilt before adding more. Add the soy sauce and crushed red pepper. Saute over high heat until spinach wilts. Season the mixture, to taste, with salt and black pepper. Transfer the mixture to a bowl and serve.

BRAISED LENTILS WITH SPINACH

Steps:

• Pour enough cold water over the lentils, onions, carrots, celery, and bay leaves in a 3-quart saucepan to cover by three fingers. Season with salt and bring to a boil over high heat. Adjust the heat so the water is at a gentle boil and cook until the lentils are tender, 20 to 25 minutes. Drain the lentils, discard the bay leaves, and transfer to a large skillet.
• Pour in the chicken stock and olive oil and season lightly with salt and pepper. Bring to a boil and cook until the liquid is reduced enough to coat the lentils, about 3 minutes. Scatter the spinach over the lentils and toss just until the spinach is wilted, about 1 minute. Taste and add salt and pepper if necessary. Serve immediately.