**Spinach alla Romana: A Delightful Italian Dish with Variations**
Spinach alla Romana is a classic Italian dish that showcases the vibrant flavors of fresh spinach. Its origins can be traced back to ancient Roman times, where it was enjoyed as a simple yet nutritious side dish. This versatile dish has stood the test of time and continues to be a beloved part of Italian cuisine. With its vibrant green color and slightly bitter taste, spinach is the star of this dish. The traditional recipe involves sautéing spinach with garlic, olive oil, and a touch of salt and pepper. However, there are numerous variations that add different layers of flavor and texture to the dish. From the classic recipe to creative twists using ingredients like pancetta, pine nuts, and raisins, Spinach alla Romana offers a delightful culinary experience. In this article, we will explore the traditional recipe along with several variations that cater to diverse tastes and preferences. So, embark on a culinary journey with us and discover the delicious world of Spinach alla Romana.
MANICOTTI ALLA ROMANA
This rich meat, spinach and cheese filled manicotti dish is covered with white and red sauces. I offer this on the catering menu at my catering company and it is the most popular for casual dinner parties. It's a bit of work but well worth the effort.
Provided by markblau
Categories World Cuisine Recipes European Italian
Time 1h50m
Yield 7
Number Of Ingredients 17
Steps:
- Heat oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Saute onions until translucent. Saute garlic for 1 minute and stir in ground beef. Cook until well browned and crumbled. Season with salt and set aside to cool.
- Cook spinach according to package directions. Meanwhile, bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Add manicotti shells and parboil for half of the time recommended on the package. Drain and cover with cool water to stop the cooking process and prevent the shells from cracking.
- To the ground beef mixture add the cooked spinach and ricotta cheese. When the mixture is cool, add the beaten eggs. Spread 1/4 cup spaghetti sauce in the bottom of a 9x13 inch baking dish. Gently drain the manicotti shells and carefully stuff each one with the meat and cheese mixture; place shells in prepared dish. Lightly cover the dish with plastic wrap or a clean, damp towel to prevent shells from cracking.
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
- Prepare the white sauce by melting the butter in a small saucepan over medium heat. Stir in flour and chicken bouillon. Increase heat to medium-high and cook, stirring constantly, until it begins to bubble. Stir in half and half and bring to a boil, stirring frequently. Cook for 1 minute, stirring constantly. Remove from heat and stir in parsley. Pour or ladle the sauce evenly over the stuffed shells.
- Stir the basil into the remaining spaghetti sauce. Carefully pour or ladle spaghetti sauce over the white sauce, trying to layer the sauces without mixing.
- Cover and bake for 40 minutes. Remove from oven, uncover and sprinkle with Parmesan cheese. Bake, uncovered, for 10 minutes more.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 611.7 calories, Carbohydrate 58.7 g, Cholesterol 134.2 mg, Fat 30.3 g, Fiber 6 g, Protein 27.6 g, SaturatedFat 13.1 g, Sodium 991.6 mg, Sugar 12.7 g
SPINACI ALLA ROMANA
This is so easy and gives such a great blend of tastes that it doesn't deserve just to be a side dish. Another from 365 Easy Italian Recipes.
Provided by NOOBchef
Categories Spinach
Time 10m
Yield 2 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 7
Steps:
- In a large covered frying pan, cook spinach in water that clings to leaves 2 or 3 minutes. Drain, squeeze and set aside.
- Heat olive oil in a frying pan over medium heat. Stir in pine nuts and garlic.
- Add spinach and raisins when garlic becomes fragrant and pine nuts are golden (about 30 seconds).Cook for 2 minutes to heat through.
- Season with salt and pepper.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 267.9, Fat 14.4, SaturatedFat 1.6, Sodium 651.9, Carbohydrate 29.9, Fiber 10.9, Sugar 11, Protein 14.7
SPINACI ALLA ROMANA (ROMAN-STYLE SPINACH)
Time 30m
Yield Serves 4-6
Number Of Ingredients 6
Steps:
- Heat the fat over moderate heat in a large casserole able to contain all the spinach. If using the garlic, toss it in as the fat in heating up, and remove it as soon as it begins to color and give off its aroma.
- If using pre-washed baby spinach: Add the raw spinach directly into the casserole. No need for liquid; the vegetable will steam in its natural moisture. Cover the casserole and let the spinach cook down. It will reduce enormously, down to a mere faction of its original bulk. Uncover and turn the spinach as it cooks, turning it in the fat so it is well covered all over.
- If using mature spinach: Wash the spinach well to get any grit out. (If the vegetable is very gritty, you can soak it in a large bowl of cold water.) Then trim the leaves off their woody stems. Pre-cook the trimmed leaves in salted boiling water for a five minutes or so, drain immediately and run the spinach under cold water to stop the cooking. Squeeze out the liquid from the spinach and chop it up roughly. Add the chopped spinach to the fat in the pan, turning it over to impregnate it with the oil. (No need to cover the spinach.)
- Now add the raisins and pine nuts to the spinach. Season with salt and pepper. Let the spinach simmer gently over moderate heat for, say 5-10 minutes, until the spinach is perfectly tender and the flavors have a chance to meld. If there is juice left in the pan, raise the heat to high and let it cook off. The spinach should moist, but not wet.
- Serve immediately.
SPINACI ALLA FIORENTINA (SPINACH FLORENTINE STYLE)
A yummy, easy, creamed spinach. From the book "The fine Art of Italian Cooking" by Giuliano Bugialli. I changed the recipe slightly from the book. I found some of the steps in the book were not necessary.
Provided by Ilysse
Categories Spinach
Time 50m
Yield 4-6 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 11
Steps:
- Make a balsamella by melting the butter in a heavy saucepan on low heat. When the butter reaches the frothing point add the flour. Mix well with a spoon and let cook until the color is a light brown -- don't over cook -- undercooking is preferable -- meanwhile heat the milk in a small pan -- when the milk is warm add a little at a time to the flour mixture -- the origional recipe calls for adding all the milk at once but I find I get less lumps if I add a little at a time whisking continuously -- your goal is a nice creamy sauce. Remove from heat an cover until needed.
- Make sure spinach is clean and cut out any tough stems. Chop coarsely.
- Place olive oil in a pan and warm on medium heat. Add the garlic and spinach. Toss and cook until wilted and the garlic is lightly browned.
- Toss the spinach with the balsamella. Add the cheese, nutmeg salt and pepper to taste.
- Butter the bottom and sides of a 13 1/2 X 8 3/4 inch baking dish.
- Pour the spinach mixture into the dish and bake in a preheated 375 F oven for about 25 minutes. The top should be a little brown and bubbling.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 460.7, Fat 34.4, SaturatedFat 16.1, Cholesterol 67.2, Sodium 467.2, Carbohydrate 28.4, Fiber 7.8, Sugar 1.5, Protein 16.1
Tips:
- To ensure a flavorful dish, select fresh, tender spinach leaves. Avoid wilted or blemished leaves.
- Rinse the spinach leaves thoroughly to remove any dirt or impurities.
- Use a large pot or skillet to accommodate the spinach, as it will wilt significantly during cooking.
- Do not overcrowd the pan with spinach, as this will prevent even cooking and may result in steamed rather than sautéed spinach.
- Cook the spinach over medium heat to prevent scorching. Stir frequently to ensure even cooking.
- Season the spinach with salt, pepper, and nutmeg to taste. You can also add a squeeze of lemon juice or a drizzle of olive oil for extra flavor.
- Serve the spinach immediately as a side dish or incorporate it into other dishes such as pasta, frittata, or soup.
Conclusion:
Spinach alla Romana is a simple yet delicious dish that showcases the natural flavors of fresh spinach. With its quick cooking time and minimal ingredients, it is a perfect weeknight side dish or a healthy addition to any meal. The combination of sautéed spinach, garlic, and Parmesan cheese creates a savory and satisfying dish that is sure to please everyone at the table. Whether you prefer a classic preparation or enjoy experimenting with different flavor combinations, this versatile recipe offers endless possibilities for culinary exploration. So, the next time you have a craving for a quick and nutritious meal, give Spinach alla Romana a try and discover the delightful simplicity of this Italian classic.
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