Popeye was right, spinach is an elixir of health. It is replete with nutrients, minerals, vitamins and much more. We have all heard the countless health benefits of spinach umpteen times with scientific research backing the claims. But none of it takes away from the fact that spinach is boring, bland and definitely not the first choice of food after a grueling day at work.
Yes, spinach improves the quality of blood, increases vitality and restores energy, but it is not tasty. Yes, it is a great source of antioxidants and fiber. But isn’t it a sick man’s food? Yes, it is rich in iron, a good source of vitamin K, A, C, B2, folic acid. But it is not mouth-watering. So what if it does wonders to hair and skin and still lies low in calories? It certainly is not inviting.
So how do you make that spinach interesting? No one is suggesting you do a Popeye and chug cold raw spinach straight out of a can.
But here’s how you can have that healthy spinach and make it taste good.
1. Spinach, Banana, Peach Smoothie
Spinach smoothie, really? Aren’t smoothies supposed to be made from fruits? Well, wait till you gulp down a delicious glass of spinach smoothie and before you make faces, relax for there will be bananas and peaches to keep the spinach company.
Mix 1 banana, 2 peaches (seeds removed) with a splash of orange/mosambi juice. Add 2 big handfuls of freshly washed spinach to it. Blend the ingredients until smooth.
The easy-to-make smoothie is ready. If you wish, you can add almond milk for a distinct flavour and texture.
2. Spinach Salad with DIY Dressing
Take 1 1/2 cups of freshly washed, dried and chopped spinach in a bowl. For the dressing, the options are limitless with paneer, strawberry, garlic to name a few. For spinach-paneer salad, toss the spinach with 1/2 cups of low-fat cubed paneer, tomatoes, green-chilies. Whisk the veggies with lemon juice (1 tbsp), chili sauce (1 tbsp), soy sauce (1 tbsp) and pinch of salt and sugar. Toss well and serve immediately.
(Recipe Source: Tarla Dalal)
Also Read: 7 Drinks to Jump Start Your Metabolism
3. Spinach Soup
Heat oil in a non-stick pan, add garlic and onion and saute till light brown. Add spinach and saute for 2 minutes. Just as the spinach appears cooked, add 1 1/2 cups of water and bring to boil. Keep stirring. Keep aside and bring the mixture to room temperature. Once cool, blend it in a mixie.
Pour the blend in a non-stick pan, add low-fat milk and stir. Cook for 2-minutes till the aroma arises. Add salt and pepper and serve hot.
(Recipe Source: Tarla Dalal)
4. Spinach Stuffed Salmon
Mix 2 cups finely chopped spinach, 3 tbsp mayonnaise, salt to taste, 2 tbsp breadcrumbs, 2 tbsp parmesan cheese (optional), black pepper in a bowl. Slit the salmon making sure to not cut it in two. Pull the sides apart and fill the spinach mixture generously. Transfer the salmon fillets in a pre-heated oven at 375 degrees. Bake the salmon till it is completely cooked. This might take 15-17 minutes. Serve immediately.
(Recipe Source: Marlene Koch)
5. Creamy Spinach Toast
Take butter in a pan and add chopped green chillies (2) and onion (1/2 cup) in it and saute for 2-minutes. Put 3-cups of spinach and mix well. Add a dash of soda bi-carb and stir the mixture. Add cornflour milk, salt to taste and stir on low heat. Once the creamy texture appears, keep aside and cool.
Take half-cut bread and put the spinach spread on the toast. You can also add tomatoes. Sprinkle cheese (optional). Bake the bread in a pre-heated oven till crisp. Serve hot.
How to make cornflour milk? Take 3/4 cup of low-fat milk and add about 1tbsp cornflour powder to it. Stir well.
(Recipe Source: Tarla Dalal)
Popeye was right, spinach is an elixir of health. It is replete with nutrients, minerals, vitamins and much more. We have all heard the countless health benefits of spinach umpteen times with scientific research backing the claims. But none of it takes away from the fact that spinach is boring, bland and definitely not the first choice of food after a grueling day at work.
Yes, spinach improves the quality of blood, increases vitality and restores energy, but it is not tasty. Yes, it is a great source of antioxidants and fiber. But isn’t it a sick man’s food? Yes, it is rich in iron, a good source of vitamin K, A, C, B2, folic acid. But it is not mouth-watering. So what if it does wonders to hair and skin and still lies low in calories? It certainly is not inviting.
So how do you make that spinach interesting? No one is suggesting you do a Popeye and chug cold raw spinach straight out of a can.
But here’s how you can have that healthy spinach and make it taste good.
1. Spinach, Banana, Peach Smoothie
Spinach smoothie, really? Aren’t smoothies supposed to be made from fruits? Well, wait till you gulp down a delicious glass of spinach smoothie and before you make faces, relax for there will be bananas and peaches to keep the spinach company.
Mix 1 banana, 2 peaches (seeds removed) with a splash of orange/mosambi juice. Add 2 big handfuls of freshly washed spinach to it. Blend the ingredients until smooth.
The easy-to-make smoothie is ready. If you wish, you can add almond milk for a distinct flavour and texture.
2. Spinach Salad with DIY Dressing
Take 1 1/2 cups of freshly washed, dried and chopped spinach in a bowl. For the dressing, the options are limitless with paneer, strawberry, garlic to name a few. For spinach-paneer salad, toss the spinach with 1/2 cups of low-fat cubed paneer, tomatoes, green-chilies. Whisk the veggies with lemon juice (1 tbsp), chili sauce (1 tbsp), soy sauce (1 tbsp) and pinch of salt and sugar. Toss well and serve immediately.
(Recipe Source: Tarla Dalal)
Also Read: 7 Drinks to Jump Start Your Metabolism
3. Spinach Soup
Heat oil in a non-stick pan, add garlic and onion and saute till light brown. Add spinach and saute for 2 minutes. Just as the spinach appears cooked, add 1 1/2 cups of water and bring to boil. Keep stirring. Keep aside and bring the mixture to room temperature. Once cool, blend it in a mixie.
Pour the blend in a non-stick pan, add low-fat milk and stir. Cook for 2-minutes till the aroma arises. Add salt and pepper and serve hot.
(Recipe Source: Tarla Dalal)
4. Spinach Stuffed Salmon
Mix 2 cups finely chopped spinach, 3 tbsp mayonnaise, salt to taste, 2 tbsp breadcrumbs, 2 tbsp parmesan cheese (optional), black pepper in a bowl. Slit the salmon making sure to not cut it in two. Pull the sides apart and fill the spinach mixture generously. Transfer the salmon fillets in a pre-heated oven at 375 degrees. Bake the salmon till it is completely cooked. This might take 15-17 minutes. Serve immediately.
(Recipe Source: Marlene Koch)
5. Creamy Spinach Toast
Take butter in a pan and add chopped green chillies (2) and onion (1/2 cup) in it and saute for 2-minutes. Put 3-cups of spinach and mix well. Add a dash of soda bi-carb and stir the mixture. Add cornflour milk, salt to taste and stir on low heat. Once the creamy texture appears, keep aside and cool.
Take half-cut bread and put the spinach spread on the toast. You can also add tomatoes. Sprinkle cheese (optional). Bake the bread in a pre-heated oven till crisp. Serve hot.
How to make cornflour milk? Take 3/4 cup of low-fat milk and add about 1tbsp cornflour powder to it. Stir well.
(Recipe Source: Tarla Dalal)
(At The Quint, we question everything. Play an active role in shaping our journalism by becoming a member today.)