That’s a phrase we hear pretty often these days. Typically it’s about the environment and how you can do your part, but this is not about that. It’s about …spinach! Popeye’s favorite muscle builder. It worked instantly for him, but not quite so fast for us!! It is high in nutritional value, being rich in antioxidents when fresh, steamed or quickly boiled. So…our mothers were right when they said it was good for us. I know many people don’t like it, but I think it’s because they have never had it prepared properly. And there are a lot of ways to prepare it. Our favorite is in spanakopita, spinach pie. The combination of spinach, feta cheese, onions and dill is out of this world! Of course, putting it inside buttery leaves of filo pastry might have a lot to do with it. We do have a recipe for that in our book, A Greek Journey With Fork and Pen, on page 26 but I’m not posting that right now.
I am sure many of you have had spinach pie so right now I am going to talk about another recipe using spinach that you have probably never heard of and that is:
Spanakorizo, Spinach and Rice Casserole.
1 lb spinach 1 can tomato sauce (8 oz)or canned tomatoes
I large onion chopped 1/2 t fresh or dry dill or to taste
1/3 c rice(Uncle Ben’s converted rice works well) salt & pepper to taste
1/4 c olive oil
1/2 c water or a little more
Wash spinach well and chop. In a saucepan add olive oil and chopped onions. When brown add spinach and mix well. Add salt, pepper, and water to cover and boil a few minutes. Add tomato sauce, dill and rice. Simmer until rice is done and all liquid is absorbed. Squeeze lemon juice over all before serving. It is delicious served with Athenos Feta cheese crumbled on the top or a chunk of it on the side.
This is a simple vegetarian side dish. In our book, A Greek Journey With Fork and Pen, we have the recipe that adds chicken to make it a main dish on page 174. This photo is a little blurry but it is a closeup to show the combination of rice and spinach!
Of course, plain boiled spinach is delicious when you drain it and add olive oil, vinegar, salt and pepper. You can also substitute fresh lemon juice for the vinegar. Spinach is a wonderful thing!
Show me YOUR muscles!
See you next time! Yassou!!
{ 3 comments… read them below or add one }
This is a wonderful dish. You might also like to add grilled or sauteed shrimp on top of this spinach miracle!!
Yes, Georgia, we love shrimp with it, too! And don’t forget you can use brown rice, if you prefer, but it will need more water and take longer. It’s just a delicious way to use spinach.
Yassou!
Have you ever tried this using Orzo in this dish instead of white or brown rice? I wonder if it would work!!!