Indulge in the wholesome goodness of Sautéed Spinach, a delightful and nutritious side dish. Perfect for any lunch or dinner, it's a simple yet flavorful way to enjoy greens. Quick to prepare and packed with health benefits, this dish is an ideal choice for a healthy, satisfying meal.
Start by warming a pan on medium heat. Drizzle your preferred oil, then add finely chopped garlic. Sauté the garlic until it emits a fragrant, aromatic scent, careful not to let it burn.
Gently add the fresh spinach leaves to the pan. Stir them occasionally, allowing the leaves to cook evenly until they become soft and wilt. This process should typically take 3 to 5 minutes, as spinach wilts quickly.
Once the spinach is wilted, sprinkle in chili flakes and a pinch of salt for seasoning. If you notice any residual water in the pan, increase the heat to high for a brief moment. This will help to quickly evaporate the excess moisture, ensuring your spinach remains flavorful and not waterlogged.
As soon as the spinach reaches your desired texture, remove the pan from heat. Your Sauteed Spinach is now perfectly cooked, ready to be served.
Serving
Enjoy your delicious Sauteed Spinach as a versatile side dish, perfect with a variety of mains. For more creative pairing ideas, refer to our Serving Suggestions section.
Notes
Here are some useful tips to perfect your Sauteed Spinach:
Pre-Cooking Prep: Make sure all ingredients are prepped and ready to go before you start cooking, as the process is quick.
Washing Spinach: Packaged spinach leaves often come pre-washed and dried. However, if you're using bundle spinach, it's essential to trim the stems and wash the leaves twice for cleanliness. Ensure they are thoroughly air-dried before cooking.
Heat Control: Cook spinach on medium heat to prevent garlic from burning while ensuring that the spinach wilts evenly.
Seasoning: Adjust garlic and chili flakes to taste. If you prefer a milder dish, reduce the chili flakes or omit them altogether. Similarly, add more garlic for a stronger flavor.
Oil Selection: While olive oil is recommended for its flavor, you can experiment with other oils like avocado or coconut oil for different taste profiles.
Lemon Juice: A dash of lemon juice added at the end of cooking can brighten the dish with a fresh, tangy flavor. It also helps to balance the richness of the olive oil.
Nutritional Boost: For an extra nutrition boost, consider adding a sprinkle of sesame seeds or a handful of nuts like pine nuts or sliced almonds after cooking.