Spinach Recipes

The Health Benefits of Spinach

Spinach recipes are dietary powerhouses, full of vitamins and minerals. In particular, spinach contains significant amounts of vitamins A, C, K, and folate (which is essential for pregnant women), as well as the minerals manganese and magnesium. It is also extremely high in antioxidants called carotenoids. The health benefits are particularly impressive when you consider that spinach contains only seven calories per cup (when raw). To get the greatest nutritional benefit from regular spinach consumption, it is best to alternate between eating it raw and cooked in some of the following spinach recipes.

Botanical Information About Spinach

Spinach, despite its physical resemblance to leafy greens such as lettuce or kale, is actually not related to either. Botanically, spinach is a member of the Chenopodiaceae family, which also contains beets, chard, quinoa, and the Mexican herb called epazote. There are three main types of spinach: Savoy, which is usually dark green and has crinkled leaves, Semi-Savoy, which is a hybrid and has partially crinkled leaves, and flat-leaf, which (not surprisingly) has flat leaves. The flat leaf variety is the easiest to clean, and consequently, it is often used to make manufactured spinach products.

Ways to Prepare Spinach Recipes

It is important to wash spinach in several changes of water, as the leaves of the Savoy and Semi-Savoy varieties tend to trap sand in their folds. Raw spinach is a great base for salads, whether on its own or blended with other greens. Steaming and sautéing are both excellent ways to prepare cooked spinach recipes. Boiling spinach should be avoided because it significantly reduces the nutritional content.

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• Quick Easy Appetizers
• Easy Dip Recipes
• Fathers Day Snack Mix

• French Toast Recipe 1
• French Toast Recipe 2
• French Toast Recipe 3
• Basic Pancakes Recipe
• Pancakes Recipe

• Spinach And Potato Soup Recipe 1
• Veal And Spinach Stew Recipe
• Spinach And Potato Soup Recipe 2
• Spinach Dip Recipe
• Spinach Artichoke Dip Recipe