Best 17 Braised Spinach Recipes

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.

BRAISED CALAMARI STUFFED WITH SHRIMP, SPINACH AND HERBS

Steps:

• To make the calamari:
• Roughly chop 3 of the calamari tubes and add to a food processor with the coarsely chopped shrimp and garlic. Pulse into a coarse paste. Remove to a large bowl and add the spinach, eggs, bread crumbs, cheese, herbs, and pinch of crushed red pepper. Season with salt and stir to combine. The mixture should be a little chunky but moist and holding together. Test the seasoning of the mix by making a mini patty, cooking it in a small pan and eating it. It should taste really good! If it doesn't it is probably missing salt. Add more salt, to taste. Divide the stuffing among the 8 remaining calamari bodies and secure closed with toothpicks.
• To make the sauce:
• Coat a large, wide skillet or saucepan with olive oil and add the onions and a pinch of crushed red pepper. Season with salt and put the saucepan over medium heat. Saute the onions until they are soft and aromatic, about 7 to 8 minutes. Add the garlic and cook another 2 minutes until fragrant. Stir in the wine and cook until the wine has reduced by half. Pass the tomatoes through a food mill or puree them in a food processor and add them and 1 cup of water to the pan. Season with salt, to taste, and simmer the sauce for 15 minutes.
• Add the calamari to the pan and cook for 20 to 25 minutes turning them over halfway through the cooking time. Remove the calamari from the pan and remove the toothpicks. Reduce the sauce to thicken, if needed. Arrange the calamari on a serving platter and cover with the sauce before serving.
• Deliciouso!

BRAISED LAMB WITH SPINACH

Steps:

• In a blender purée the garlic and the gingerroot with 1/3 cup water. In a heavy kettle heat 3 tablespoons of the oil over moderately high heat until it is hot but not smoking and in it brown the lamb, patted dry, in batches, transferring it as it is browned with tongs to a bowl. To the skillet add the remaining 3 tablespoons oil, heat it until it is hot but not smoking, and in it fry the cinnamon stick, the cloves, and the bay leaf, stirring, for 30 seconds, or until the cloves are puffed slightly. Add the onions and cook the mixture over moderate heat, stirring occasionally, until the onions are golden. Add the garlic purée and cook the mixture, stirring, for 2 minutes, or until the liquid is evaporated. Add the cumin, the coriander, and the cayenne and cook the mixture, stirring, for 1 minute. Add the tomatoes and the yogurt, simmer the mixture, stirring, for 1 minute, and add the lamb, the salt, and 1 cup water. Bring the mixture to a boil and braise it, covered, in a preheated 350°F. oven for 1 to 1 1/4 hours, or until the lamb is tender. The lamb mixture may be prepared up to this point 2 days in advance. Let the lamb cool, uncovered, and chill it, covered. Reheat the lamb mixture.
• In a large saucepan bring 1 inch water to a boil, add the spinach, and steam it, covered, for 2 minutes, or until it is wilted. Drain the spinach in a colander.
• Spoon off any excess fat from the lamb mixture and add the lemon juice and salt and pepper to taste. Distribute the spinach over the stew and stir it in gently. Transfer the stew to a heated serving dish and sprinkle it with the pine nuts.

HONEY AND VINEGAR-BRAISED SHORT RIBS WITH SPINACH

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350°F. Heat oil in heavy large pot over high heat. Sprinkle ribs with salt and pepper. Working in batches, brown ribs, turning occasionally, about 10 minutes. Return all ribs to pot. Add carrots, onion, celery and garlic to ribs; cook 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add honey; cook 2 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add vinegar and boil until most of liquid is absorbed, stirring occasionally, about 8 minutes. Add broth, red wine, Port, thyme and bay leaf and boil 5 minutes. Cover; transfer to oven. Bake until meat almost falls off bone, stirring occasionally, about 2§ hours.
• Using tongs, transfer ribs to large bowl. Boil cooking liquid until slightly reduced, stirring occasionally, about 10 minutes. Season with salt and pepper. Mix 1 tablespoon butter and flour in small bowl. Add to sauce; whisk to blend. Boil until thickened, 3 minutes. Mix in ribs. (Can be made 1 day ahead. Cool slightly. Chill uncovered until cold, then cover and chill. Rewarm over medium heat before continuing.) Melt 2 tablespoons butter in another large pot over medium-high heat. Add spinach; cook until just wilted, stirring occasionally, 3 minutes. Season with salt and pepper. Divide spinach among plates. Top with ribs and sauce.

BRAISED-LAMB SHANK SHEPHERD'S PIE WITH CREAMED SPINACH

Steps:

• Prepare lamb:
• Preheat oven to 450°F.
• Put lamb shanks in a large metal roasting pan, then rub with oil and season with salt and pepper. Arrange onion wedges around lamb. Roast lamb in middle of oven 40 minutes. Turn shanks over, scatter with herb sprigs, and roast 40 minutes more.
• Pour wine, broth, and water into roasting pan. Cover pan tightly with foil and braise lamb until tender, 45 minutes to 1 hour. Transfer shanks to a plate and remove and discard skins from onions. Pour cooking liquid (including onions) into a large glass measure (do not clean roasting pan).
• Prepare potatoes and boil carrots while lamb roasts:
• Pierce each potato once with a fork and bake on rack in lower third of oven until cooked through, 45 to 50 minutes.
• Cool potatoes 10 minutes, then halve lengthwise and scoop out flesh. Force warm potatoes through ricer into a bowl. Stir in salt, milk, and pepper to taste.
• Cook carrots in boiling salted water until tender, about 10 minutes. Rinse under cold running water to stop cooking.
• Make gravy:
• Skim fat from cooking liquid (you'll have about 2 1/2 cups broth). Whisk together 1 cup broth and flour in a large bowl to make a thin paste, then whisk in remaining broth (including onions). Set roasting pan across 2 burners and pour broth mixture into pan. Boil over moderate heat, whisking, until thickened, about 5 minutes. Remove from heat and season with salt and pepper.
• Cut lamb meat from bones, then tear meat into bite-size pieces. Stir meat into gravy.
• Assemble and bake pie:
• Reduce oven to 350°F.
• Spoon lamb-shank mixture into a 12- by 3-inch oval gratin dish or a 2 1/2- to 3-quart shallow baking dish, spreading evenly. Scatter carrots over lamb, then top with creamed spinach, spreading evenly. Top spinach with mashed potatoes, spreading evenly to edges of dish to cover filling completely. Make swirl patterns on surface of potatoes with back of spoon, then drizzle with melted butter.
• Put baking dish in a foil-lined shallow (1-inch-deep) baking pan to catch drips and bake until top is golden and filling is bubbling, about 1 hour.

BRAISED-LAMB SHANK SHEPHERD'S PIE WITH CREAMED SPINACH

Steps:

• Prepare lamb: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Heat the oil in a Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Season the lamb shanks with salt and pepper and brown them in batches, transferring each to a plate when browned. Add onions and herb sprigs and cook, stirring, until lightly browned and soft, about 10 minutes. Return the shanks to the Dutch oven with the wine, broth, and water and bring to a boil. Cover, transfer to the oven, and braise until fork tender, about 2 hours. Transfer shanks to a plate. Discard herb sprigs. Pour cooking liquid (including onions) into a large glass measure.
• Prepare potatoes and boil carrots while lamb roasts: Pierce each potato once with a fork and bake on rack in lower third of oven until cooked through, 45 to 50 minutes. Cool potatoes 10 minutes, then halve lengthwise and scoop out flesh. Force warm potatoes through ricer into a bowl. Stir in milk, and salt, pepper, to taste.
• Cook carrots in boiling salted water until tender, about 10 minutes. Rinse under cold running water to stop cooking.
• Make gravy: Skim fat from cooking liquid (you'll have about 2 1/2 cups broth). Put the cooking liquid in a saucepan and bring to boil. Knead the flour and softened butter into a paste and whisk it into the liquid. Return the gravy to a boil to thicken and simmer, whisking occasionally, for 5 minutes.
• Cut lamb meat from bones, then tear meat into bite-size pieces. Stir meat into gravy and set aside.
• Assemble and bake pie: Spoon lamb-shank mixture into a 12 by 3-inch oval gratin dish or a 2 1/2 to 3-quart shallow baking dish, spreading evenly. Scatter carrots over lamb, then top with creamed spinach, spreading evenly. Top spinach with mashed potatoes, spreading evenly to edges of dish to cover filling completely. Make swirl patterns on surface of potatoes with back of spoon, then drizzle with the melted butter.
• Put baking dish in a foil-lined shallow (1-inch-deep) baking pan to catch drips and bake until top is golden and filling is bubbling, about 1 hour.
• Cook spinach according to package directions. Whisk in Parmesan, salt, nutmeg, and pepper, to taste.

SUNNY'S EASY BRAISED TOMATO CHICKEN AND SPINACH WITH FETTUCCINE

Steps:

• Season the chicken generously with salt and pepper. In a large pan with straight sides and a lid (large enough to eventually hold all the chicken nestled in 1 layer), add the olive oil over medium-high heat. Once the oil begins to swirl, add the chicken pieces in batches, without crowding the pan. Cook until golden brown, flipping and browning on all sides. The purpose isn't to fully cook them here, just to get color. Remove the chicken to a plate.
• Immediately add the tomatoes to the pan and allow them to roast while resting for a few minutes, then shake the pan and stir to get another side of the tomatoes roasting on the bottom of the pan. Cook like this until the tomatoes are charred and begin to break apart and create a sauce, about 8 minutes.
• Add the black olives, chile flakes and garlic to the tomatoes. Then, nestle the chicken pieces back into the pan. Add enough chicken stock so the chicken is almost but not completely covered by the liquid (leave about 1/2 inch). Cover and lower to a simmer. Cook until the check of a garlic clove reveals it to be tender, or the chicken is cooked through, about 30 minutes.
• Bring the liquid in the pan back to a boil. Add the pasta and spinach and cook until the pasta is al dente, about 5 minutes (according to the timing on the package). Remove the pasta to serving plates or bowls. Pour the chicken and spinach sauce over the pasta and serve with a spritz of lemon.

BRAISED SPINACH AND ONION (WITH VARIATIONS)

Steps:

• In a large saucepan, combine onions and chicken broth. Cook onion until stock has reduced to 1/4 cup, about 7 - 9 minutes, stirring constantly. Remove onions from heat. Set aside.
• In a large skillet spray with Pam. With some water still clinging to the spinach, add to skillet and cook until just wilted. Remove from heat and cool slightly. Squeeze out excess liquid and chop.
• Melt butter over low heat or in microwave. Add butter, spinach to the braised onions and combine. Salt, pepper to suit taste. Place in casserole dish.
• Bake in preheated 350 oven for 20 minutes or until heated through.
• Note: If using beet greens or swiss chard, use caution with pepper.

ITALIAN STYLE BRAISED SPINACH WITH SHALLOTS AND GARLIC

Steps:

• PREPARATION INSTRUCTIONS 1. Trim away stems from spinach and wash well. Do not dry; allow water to cling to the leaves. Heat olive oil in Dutch oven over medium heat until hot. Add shallots and garlic; cook, stirring, until shallots are tender, 2 to 3 minutes. 2. Place spinach in pan. Drizzle with lemon juice; sprinkle with salt and pepper. Cover; cook 10 minutes, stirring occasionally. Sprinkle with pine nuts.

SPICED BRAISED LAMB WITH CARROTS AND SPINACH

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350°F.
• Pat lamb dry and sprinkle with pepper and 1 teaspoon salt. Heat 1 tablespoon oil in a 10-inch heavy skillet (preferably cast-iron) over moderately high heat until hot but not smoking, then brown lamb in 5 batches, turning occasionally, about 4 minutes per batch, adding more oil as needed. Transfer as browned to an ovenproof 6- to 7-quart wide heavy pot.
• Pour off all but 1 tablespoon fat from skillet, then cook onion and celery in remaining fat over moderate heat, stirring occasionally, until golden, about 3 minutes. Add garlic, cumin, and coriander and cook, stirring, 1 minute. Add 1 cup water and deglaze skillet by boiling, stirring and scraping up any brown bits, 1 minute, then pour mixture over lamb in pot.
• Pour juice from can of tomatoes into stew, then coarsely chop tomatoes and add to stew along with remaining cup water and remaining 1/2 teaspoon salt and bring to a boil (liquid should almost cover meat).
• Cover pot and braise lamb in middle of oven 1 1/2 hours. Stir in carrots and continue to braise until carrots and lamb are tender, 20 to 30 minutes. Transfer pot to top of stove and, working over moderately high heat, stir in spinach by handfuls to soften it. Cook, uncovered, stirring occasionally, until spinach is tender, 5 to 8 minutes. Season with salt and pepper.

BRAISED COCONUT SPINACH & CHICKPEAS WITH LEMON

Steps:

• Whole roasted sweet potatoes Cilantro leaves, to garnish Toasted unsweetened coconut, to garnish Heat the oil or ghee in a large, deep Dutch oven or heavy pot over medium-high heat. Add the onion and cook for about 5 minutes, or until the onion is beginning to brown. Add the garlic, ginger, sun-dried tomatoes, lemon zest and red pepper, if using. Cook for 3 minutes, stirring frequently. Add the chickpeas and cook over high heat for a few minutes or until the chickpeas are beginning to turn golden and they are coated with the onion and garlic mixture. Toss in the spinach, one handful at a time. This will take about 5 minutes; stir in a handful or two and wait for it to wilt down and make room in the pot before adding the next handful. When all the spinach has been stirred in, pour in the coconut milk and stir in the salt, ground ginger, and lemon juice. Bring to a simmer then turn down the heat and cook for 10 minutes or until the chickpeas are warm through. Taste and add more salt and lemon juice, if necessary. Serve hot over roasted sweet potatoes, with cilantro leaves and toasted unsweetened coconut to garnish. Serving note: This is thick enough to eat on its own with a fork; it's not terribly soupy. But it's saucy enough to eat over pasta, rice, brown rice, quinoa, or another grain.

BRAISED GARLIC CHICKEN AND SPINACH

Steps:

• In large nonstick frypan, place oil and heat to medium temperature. Add chicken and cook, turning, about 10 minutes, or until brown on all sides. Add carrots and garlic. Cover and reduce heat to low temperature. Cook, turning chicken once, about 20 minutes, or until carrots are tender and fork can be inserted in chicken with ease.
• Remove chicken and carrots from frypan; set aside and keep warm. Cook garlic an additional 3 minutes. Add salt, pepper and broth; bring to a boil. Cook, uncovered, about 3 minutes or until liquid is reduced to 1/4 cup.
• In blender container, place broth mixture and blend about 30 seconds or until smooth; set aside.
• In large saucepan, place spinach (do not add water). Cover and cook over medium heat 3 minutes; drain well. Place spinach on serving platter and arrange chicken and carrots on top. Drizzle with garlic mixture.

BRAISED VEAL WITH CARDAMOM-SPINACH PUREE

Steps:

• Heat the oil in a large Dutch oven over medium heat. Season the veal with 1 teaspoon of the salt and pepper. Place the veal in the pot and brown on all sides, about 10 minutes; take out of the pot and set aside.
• Pour in the milk. Stir in the cardamom, jalapeno, garlic and onion. Bring just to a simmer. Reduce heat, return the veal to the pot, and adjust the heat so that the milk stays just below a simmer. Cook, uncovered, for 1 hour 20 minutes, turning the roast once. Remove from heat, and let the veal stand in the liquid for 20 minutes. Remove the veal from the pot, remove the strings from the veal, and cover with a warm, damp towel.
• Place 1 cup of the cooking liquid in a large saucepan. Bring to a simmer over medium heat. Add the spinach, and cook, stirring constantly, until it is completely wilted. Transfer to a food processor and process until smooth. Stir in salt and pepper.
• Slice veal into 6 pieces. Spoon some puree into the center of each of 6 plates. Place veal over sauce. Surround with parsleyed potatoes (see recipe), and serve immediately.

ORANGE-BRAISED TROUT WITH SAUTEED SPINACH

Steps:

• Heat oven broiler.
• Place trout fillets skin side down in a single layer in an ovenproof skillet or pan.
• Scatter green onions over trout; season with salt and pepper to taste.
• Pour in orange juice and vermouth; sprinkle with dill.
• Heat over high heat to a boil.
• Transfer skillet to broiler; cook until fish is opaque and firm to the touch, about 5 minutes.
• Meanwhile, heat oil in a large skillet over medium heat; add shallot and garlic.
• Cook until softened, about 2 minutes.
• Add spinach, salt and pepper to taste.
• Toss spinach with tongs until wilted and heated through, about 3 minutes.
• Remove fish to two serving plates.
• Taste sauce; reduce briefly over high heat if sauce is watery; adjust seasoning as desired.
• Drizzle sauce around trout and spinach.

BRAISED VEAL WITH CARDAMOM- SPINACH PUREE

Steps:

• Heat olive oil in a large Dutch oven over medium heat. Season veal with 1 teaspoon salt and pepper to taste, place in the pot and brown on all sides, about 10 minutes. Remove veal from the pot and set aside. Pour in the milk. Stir in the cardamom, jalapeno, garlic and onion. Bring just to a simmer. Reduce heat, return veal to pot and adjust heat to prevent milk from simmering. Cook, uncovered, for 1 hour and 20 minutes, turning roast once. Remove from heat and let meat stand in the liquid for 20 minutes. Remove roast from pot, cut off the strings and cover with a warm, damp towel.
• Place 1 cup of cooking liquid in a large saucepan and bring to a simmer over medium heat. Add the spinach and cook, stirring, until spinach is wilted, 2 to 3 minutes. Transfer spinach and liquid to a food processor and process until smooth. Stir in remaining teaspoon of salt and pepper to taste.
• Trim the ends of the roast and slice across into 6 pieces. Divide the spinach puree among 6 plates, placing it to one side, and top with veal. Serve immediately with Indian-Spiced Potato Gratin (see recipe).

BRAISED VEAL WITH CARDAMOM SPINACH PUREE

Steps:

• Heat the oil in a large Dutch oven over medium heat. Season the veal with 1 teaspoon of the salt and pepper. Place the veal in the pot and brown on all sides, about 10 minutes. Take the veal out of the pot and set aside. Pour in the milk. Stir in the cardamom, jalapeno, garlic and onion. Bring just to a simmer. Reduce heat, return the veal to the pot and adjust the heat so that the milk stays just below a simmer.
• Cook, uncovered, for 1 hour and 20 minutes, turning the roast once. Remove from the heat and let the veal stand in the liquid for 20 minutes. Remove the veal from the pot, remove the strings and cover with a warm, damp towel.
• Place 1 cup of the cooking liquid in a large saucepan. Bring to a simmer over medium heat. Add the spinach and cook, stirring constantly, until the spinach is completely wilted. Transfer to a food processor and process until smooth. Stir in the remaining salt and pepper.
• Slice the veal into 6 pieces. Spoon some of the spinach puree into the center of each of 6 plates. Place the veal over the sauce. Serve immediately with steamed potatoes.