Spinach was Popeye’s favorite food, and it can be yours too! Spinach came from the Middle East and traveled to the United States in the 1800s. Today, the US is one of the biggest spinach growers.
Spinach is great because you can eat it raw or cooked. At the store, you can buy spinach that is raw, frozen, or canned. This makes it really easy to use, so it can always be in your kitchen. When you are buying fresh spinach, you should make sure the leaves are dark green and firm, not mushy. When you bring your spinach home, you should wash it well in cold water to get rid of any dirt or sand on it.
This leafy green vegetable has tons of vitamins to keep you healthy and strong. You can also make your body healthier if you eat foods that are high in vitamin C with your spinach (like tomatoes, bell peppers, or citrus fruits). Eating one serving of spinach is the same as a half of a cup of cooked spinach, or one and a half cups of raw spinach. You can enjoy spinach by adding a serving of it to a different meal each day.
Do you like spinach? If you answered yes, then great! If you answered no, you may want to try out these great recipes!
If using fresh spinach for the following recipes, you will need to steam it first until the leaves are wilted. If using frozen spinach, thaw first. Whichever type you are using, it is best to drain it well.
Spinach Rice Soup
You will need:
2 teaspoons of olive oil
1 small yellow onion, finely chopped
10 oz spinach
4 cups vegetable broth
½ cup brown rice
A pinch of nutmeg
Heat the oil in a medium-sized pot, on medium heat. When the oil is warm, add the onion and let cook for 5 minutes, or until slightly golden in color. Add the spinach, broth, rice, and nutmeg. Let the soup simmer without a cover for 30 minutes, or until the rice is cooked.
Serves 4
Marina Bedrossian is a Northport, NY dietitian nutritionist who helps people with holistic nutrition solutions and food sensitivities. Visit this page to schedule an appointment and don’t forget to join the private Facebook group “Ingredients For Healthy Families” more information here.