Spinach Recipes for Every Meal

January 09, 2011

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Spinach Basics

Cooks classify this good-for-you green three ways: Curly-leaf spinach has crinkled leaves; flat-leaf spinach, often sold frozen or canned, has smoother leaves and a slightly milder flavor; and baby spinach is simply the flat-leaf type harvested when very young and tender.

In Season: Fresh spinach is available year-round.

What to Look For: Look for bright green, unwilted leaves. Avoid slimy or spotted leaves.

How to Store:Both curly- and flat-leaf spinach are sold in bunches and bags, and baby spinach comes prepackaged or loose. Refrigerate spinach in a plastic bag; it spoils quickly, so use it within a couple of days.

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New Spinach Salad

Credit: Raymond Hom
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And a poached egg, with its runny richness, one-ups the traditional hard-cooked. A spritz of sherry vinegar completes the transformation.

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Spinach Mac and Cheese

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Add a bit of green goodness to basic mac and cheese with fresh spinach, stirred into the sauce until just wilted.

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Quinoa-and-Spinach Pilaf

Credit: Andrew Purcell
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Look no further for a quick-cooking whole-grain side dish that goes with just about any meal.

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Skillet Spinach Pie

Opa! This spanakopita-inspired dish is a great vegetarian main or a hearty side for grilled or roast meats.Get the Skillet Spinach Pie Recipe

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Hot Spinach Dip

Credit: Minh + Wass
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Cream cheese and mozzarella make this hot spinach dip extra rich and flavorful. It can be made up to three days ahead of time and baked just before you’re ready to serve it.

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Sauteed Spinach with Crisp Pancetta

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It only takes a few minutes to saute tender baby spinach leaves and crown them with crisp pancetta and a kiss of lemon.

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Spinach and Gruyere Souffle

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Gruyere cheese sauce forms the creamy base for this spectacular and satisfying souffle.

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Creamed Spinach

Credit: David Loftus
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Pay tribute to the old-school steakhouse with this classic creamed spinach recipe.

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Wilted Spinach Salad with Caramelized Shallots

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Caramelized shallots lend sweetness and depth to the warm vinaigrette that envelops tender baby spinach leaves.

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Spinach Cream Soup

Credit: David M. Russell
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Veloute, a classic French "mother sauce" is the basis for a creamy, vibrantly green spinach soup.

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Spinach and Cheddar Strata

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This savory bread pudding is a deliciously rich and cheesy choice for a vegetarian brunch or dinner.

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Pea-Spinach Mash

Credit: William Brinson
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This bright-green beauty of a side dish is a healthy alternative to buttery mashed potatoes.

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Chile-Garlic Spinach

Credit: Standard
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The spicy bite of fresh chiles and garlic complements mellow spinach.

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Spinach Pesto Penne

Credit: Jonathan Lovekin
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Spinach and walnuts stand in for the usual basil and pine nuts in this quick and easy sauce that you can whip up year-round.

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Spanakopita

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Crisp phyllo tops a fresh-tasting spinach-and-feta filling in this savory Greek pie. Cut into small squares and served at room temperature, this pie makes a terrific hors d'oeuvre.

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Eggs with Spinach and Tomatoes

Credit: Romulo Yanes
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This bright breakfast is loaded with vegetables, so you get an early start on eating well.

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Chicken and Spinach Casserole

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Combine shredded chicken with sauteed spinach in a cream sauce, pour into a baking dish, and top with torn bread to concoct this creamy, bubbling casserole.

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Spinach and Mushroom Lo Mein

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This vegetarian rendition of the Chinese take-out favorite combines cremini mushrooms, scallions, fresh spinach, and lots of ginger with chewy lo mein noodles.

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Spinach-And-Fontina Strata

Credit: Jonathan Lovekin
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Prepare this savory bread pudding the night before you plan to serve it; the bread will soak up the ingredients and bake up creamy and golden. Young Fontina from Northern Italy, a superb melting cheese, adds lushness and a little tang to the dish.

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Spinach-Gruyere Gateau de Crepes

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A winsome way to use leftover crepes, this towering gateau de crepes replaces the usual jam, cream, and chocolate with alternating layers of rich bechamel and sauteed spinach.

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Spinach and Pepper Pita Pizzas

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Mini whole-wheat pitas make perfect snack-size pizzas. Top each with fresh spinach, roasted red peppers, and creamy Havarti cheese.

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Creamy Spinach and Sweet-Onion Dip with Crudites

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Spinach and watercress, abundant in antioxidants, are no chore to eat when blended into this healthful yet indulgent take on spinach dip. Avocado lends it richness, and colorful crudites add crunch but not empty calories.

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Spinach Tart with Olive-Oil Cracker Crust

Credit: Johnny Miller
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In this vegetarian main course, the lushness of spinach and feta is set off by a crisp, easy-to-make crust. You'll want it in your repertoire year-round.

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