Deep South Spinach Recipes

DEEP FRIED SPINACH

Steps:

• Heat oil in deep-fryer to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Place a large handful of fresh spinach in fryer basket, and submerge to cook for about thirty seconds. Drain spinach on paper towels, and repeat with remaining batches. Add a little salt and pepper to taste.

EASY FRIED SPINACH

Steps:

• Melt the butter with the canola oil in a large skillet over medium heat until it stops bubbling. This allows the water from the butter to evaporate. Add the garlic; cook and stir for about 2 minutes, until it is just beginning to brown. Put in the spinach leaves and cook for about 5 minutes while stirring, until the leaves are dark and are about 1/4 of their original size.

PAN FRIED SPINACH

Steps:

• In a skillet over medium heat, fry the bacon until evenly brown and crisp. Drain, crumble, and set aside.
• Melt the butter and heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Mix in the crumbled bacon, garlic, and onion. Cook and stir 2 minutes, then mix in the spinach until evenly coated with the butter and oil. Cover skillet, reduce heat to low, and cook 5 minutes, stirring often, or until spinach is tender. Season with salt and pepper to serve.

SOUTHERN STYLE SPINACH

Steps:

• Thaw spinach and squeeze out excess juice.
• Fry bacon till crisp, remove and reserve 3 tablespoons of drippings.
• Saute onions, garlic, and jalapenos in bacon drippings, just until onions are translucent.
• Add vinegar and brown sugar and stir until disolved.
• Add spinach and saute for about 5 minutes.
• Salt and pepper to taste.
• Sprinkle on crumbled bacon.

DEEP DISH SPANAKOPITA

Steps:

• Defrost the spinach and phyllo dough in the fridge overnight.
• For the filling, heat the olive oil in a medium skillet over medium heat. Add the onion, season with salt and pepper and cook until softened and lightly golden brown, about 5 minutes. Add the garlic and cook for 1 to 2 minutes, stirring frequently. Then remove the pan from the heat and stir in the parsley, dill, red pepper flakes, nutmeg and lemon zest. Set aside to cool to room temperature.
• Meanwhile, preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Drain the spinach through a strainer lined with a clean kitchen towel or a few layers of sturdy paper towel. Gather the spinach up in the towel and squeeze out as much of the water as possible. Transfer to a bowl and add the lemon juice and feta. Stir in the cooled onion mixture and the egg.
• Retrieve the phyllo from the fridge, unroll it and cover it with a clean kitchen towel to keep it from drying out. Place a 9-inch springform pan on a rimmed baking sheet and brush the bottom and sides lightly with butter. Lay out one sheet of phyllo, brush with butter and transfer it to the prepared pan. There is no need to be extra careful here - the phyllo might tear, crack or rumple up a bit but that just makes for more texture in the end result. Layer on two more buttered sheets of phyllo across the bottom of the pan.
• Continue buttering the phyllo as before but begin placing the remaining sheets off-center around the pan so that their edges overlap in the center of the base and the other edge hangs over the sides, gently pressing along the bottom and up the sides to create a crust. Transfer the spinach filling into the phyllo crust and spread into an even layer.
• Gather and fold the overhanging phyllo overtop of the edges of the spinach, leaving the center bit of spinach exposed. Brush the phyllo with remaining butter and bake for 40 to 50 minutes, or until golden brown and crisp. Allow to cool slightly before removing from the pan and serving.

SPINACH-STRAWBERRY SALAD

Steps:

• Slice strawberries. Tear spinach into bite-size pieces. Combine safflower oil, sugar, onion, salt, Tabasco, and salad vinegar to make dressing. Add sesame seeds. Gently toss in strawberries and spinach.

SPINACH CASSEROLE

Steps:

• Cook spinach according to directions on package. Drain and add softened cream cheese and 1/2 stick butter. Mix well and season in casserole; cover with herb stuffing to form a top crust. Pour on remaining 1/2 stick melted butter. Bake in 350° oven 20-30 minutes, until thoroughly hot.

SPINACH CHEESE PASTRIES

Steps:

• Sauté onion in olive oil. Add spinach and seasonings, while cooking. Mix cheeses and egg. Combine spinach with egg mixture. Be sure to mix thoroughly. Cool to lukewarm. Place teaspoonful of Filling in center of each round of Pastry. Fold over to make crescent shape. Edges may be pressed with fork. Place on ungreased cookie sheet. Bake at 425° for 15-20 minutes. May be served warm or at room temperature. This is a great make-ahead-freeze-bake as needed.

TWENTY-FOUR HOUR SPINACH SALAD

Steps:

• Place spinach into large glass salad bowl so layers may be seen. Sprinkle with salt and pepper. Add layer of eggs, crumbled bacon, lettuce, and another sprinkle of salt and pepper. Add a layer of onions and uncooked frozen peas. Repeat process until bowl is filled. Cover and refrigerate overnight. Early in the morning of the day the salad is to be used, mix mayonnaise and Miracle Whip; spoon over top of salad. This topping should penetrate through salad. Sprinkle shredded Swiss cheese over top and refrigerate until serving time.

DEEP SOUTH SPINACH

Steps:

• Saute the onions, garlic, and about half the pepper flakes in peanut oil until golden and aromatic.
• Add the spinach and half the vegetable broth. Saute until broth is mostly evaporated.
• Add the remaining pepper flakes and all the vinegar. Saute until flavors are well combined.
• Add remaining vegetable broth if more saute liquid is needed or if a 'soupier texture is desired.
• Serve piping hot!