**Braised Spinach and Onion: A Culinary Journey Through Variations**
Spinach and onion, a classic culinary duo, unite in a delightful dance of flavors in this article. Braising, a gentle cooking method that coaxes out the natural sweetness of vegetables, takes center stage, transforming these humble ingredients into a symphony of taste.
Our culinary adventure begins with the classic braised spinach and onion recipe, a simple yet elegant dish that showcases the inherent goodness of these vegetables. But the journey doesn't end there. We'll explore variations that add layers of complexity and introduce new dimensions of flavor, including a vibrant version with tomatoes, a tangy twist with lemon, and a hearty rendition with bacon.
From the traditional to the innovative, these recipes cater to diverse palates and preferences. Whether you're a seasoned cook or a novice in the kitchen, this article will guide you through the steps of creating this delectable dish, ensuring success with every bite.
BRAISED SPINACH WITH GARLIC, ONION, AND PINE NUTS
My favorite supermarket had some beautiful fresh spinach on sale a few weeks ago, and I just had to load up on it, cheap AND beautiful... who could ask for more! This is one of the ways I chose to use it.
Provided by Toby Jermain
Categories Spinach
Time 30m
Yield 4-6 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 9
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.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 129.8, Fat 6.7, SaturatedFat 0.6, Sodium 181.3, Carbohydrate 14.5, Fiber 5.8, Sugar 2.8, Protein 8.2
BRAISED SPINACH AND ONION (WITH VARIATIONS)
This recipe has a number of variations. You can use spinach, onions, leeks, swiss chard, beet greens, bok choy or a combination of any or all. I tend to cut the butter down slightly. This is quite rich, so a little goes a long way. This dish could be served warm or at room temperature. This can be made 1 day ahead of time.
Provided by Abby Girl
Categories Spinach
Time 45m
Yield 4 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 6
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.
SAUTEED SPINACH WITH BACON AND ONIONS
Provided by Ree Drummond : Food Network
Categories side-dish
Time 20m
Yield 4 servings
Number Of Ingredients 8
Steps:
- In a large saute pan, melt the bacon grease over medium heat. Add the onion and garlic and stir to cook until the onions are very soft, about 5 minutes. Add the vinegar, crushed red pepper flakes, salt and pepper and stir; add the spinach and toss it around, cooking until it's just wilted, 1 to 2 minutes. Serve immediately so the spinach is wilted but not soggy.
BRAISED SPINACH
Provided by Giada De Laurentiis
Categories side-dish
Time 20m
Yield 6 servings
Number Of Ingredients 7
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.
SAUTéED SPINACH
This is a wonderfully simple, snappy side dish, and it welcomes variations. Try a little lemon zest, sauteed onion or white wine mixed in.
Provided by Pierre Franey
Categories easy, quick, side dish
Time 10m
Yield 4 servings
Number Of Ingredients 4
Steps:
- Discard blemished spinach leaves and tough stems. Rinse the spinach and drain well.
- Heat the oil in a skillet large enough to hold all the spinach. Add the spinach, garlic, salt and pepper. Cook over high heat, stirring rapidly, until the spinach is wilted and most of the moisture has evaporated. Remove the garlic and serve immediately.
Nutrition Facts : @context http, Calories 101, UnsaturatedFat 6 grams, Carbohydrate 7 grams, Fat 7 grams, Fiber 4 grams, Protein 5 grams, SaturatedFat 1 gram, Sodium 414 milligrams, Sugar 1 gram
SPINACH AND ONION TART
This is a classic combination for a quiche, but it's lighter, with a whole-wheat and olive oil crust. If you don't have the time to make the crust, store bought will work just fine.
Provided by Martha Rose Shulman
Categories dinner, main course
Time 1h30m
Yield 6 servings
Number Of Ingredients 10
Steps:
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Oil a 10-inch tart pan and line it with the pastry. Keep it in the refrigerator while you prepare the filling.
- Steam the spinach above an inch of boiling water for 2 to 3 minutes, until wilted. You will probably have to do this in batches. I like to use a pasta pot with an insert for steaming spinach, as I can get a lot of it into the insert. Rinse briefly with cold water, squeeze out excess water and chop medium-fine.
- Heat the olive oil over medium heat in a large, heavy skillet and add the onion. Cook, stirring often, until it is tender and beginning to color, about 8 minutes. Add the spinach, thyme and salt and pepper to taste, and stir together. Remove from the heat.
- Whisk the eggs in a large bowl. Add salt to taste (I use about 1/2 teaspoon) and whisk in the milk. Stir in the onion and spinach mixture and the cheeses. Scrape into the pastry-lined tart pan. Place in the oven and bake 40 to 45 minutes, until tart is set and beginning to color on the top. Remove from the heat and allow to cool for at least 15 minutes before cutting. Serve warm or room temperature.
Nutrition Facts : @context http, Calories 216, UnsaturatedFat 8 grams, Carbohydrate 12 grams, Fat 14 grams, Fiber 3 grams, Protein 14 grams, SaturatedFat 5 grams, Sodium 506 milligrams, Sugar 3 grams, TransFat 0 grams
Tips:
- For the best flavor, use fresh, young spinach. If using older spinach, remove the tough stems.
- Rinse the spinach thoroughly before cooking to remove any dirt or grit.
- Use a large skillet or Dutch oven to cook the spinach and onions. This will give the vegetables plenty of room to wilt and brown.
- Don't overcrowd the pan. If you add too much spinach, it will steam instead of brown.
- Cook the spinach and onions over medium heat. This will help to prevent them from burning.
- Stir the spinach and onions frequently to ensure that they cook evenly.
- Season the spinach and onions with salt, pepper, and other spices to taste.
- Serve the spinach and onions immediately, or store them in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Conclusion:
Braised spinach and onions is a simple but delicious side dish that can be enjoyed with a variety of main courses. It's also a great way to get your daily dose of vegetables. With just a few simple ingredients and a little bit of time, you can create a dish that is both healthy and flavorful. So next time you're looking for a quick and easy side dish, give braised spinach and onions a try. You won't be disappointed!
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