It’s no surprise that spinach is a super food due to its rich dark green leaves. Previously I talked about the calcium and vitamin content, and Popeye loved it for its iron.
Besides being a good substitute for meat as far as its iron content, it has been shown to prevent the carcinogens in cooked meat from damaging cells.[1] This research is excellent news because it shows that healthy lifestyle changes, like diet, can restore normal cell function.
This recipe is modified from Cooking Light (April 2012, pg. 80). If you have anyone who hasn’t liked spinach other ways, try this as an intro and then drop the cream sauce next time (or drop the cream sauce if you want dairy-free).
Creamed Spinach w/ Shiitakes
2 T avocado oil, divided
2 C chopped shiitake mushrooms (4-5 oz)
1 5-oz box fresh spinach
1/4 C chopped shallots
2 crushed cloves garlic
1 T flour
1/2 C cream or half and half
1/4 t salt
1/8 t nutmeg
1/8 t black pepper
Warm 1 tablespoon oil over medium heat in one pan, and another tablespoon of oil over medium heat in another pan. Add the mushrooms to one pan and cook for five minutes. Meanwhile put the shallots and garlic in the other pan; stir and cook 2 minutes. Add the flour and stir. Add the cream and combine well. Add the spices; stir and bring to a boil.
Put the spinach on top of the mushrooms and stir to wilt the spinach. Stir the onion mixture a couple of minutes while it thickens then add the spinach mixture. Combine everything and serve. Garnish with sliced almonds or chopped walnuts if you like.
This recipe is modified from Cooking Light (April 2012, pg. 80). If you have anyone who hasn’t liked spinach other ways, try this as an intro and then drop the cream sauce next time (or drop the cream sauce if you want dairy-free).
Creamed Spinach w/ Shiitakes
2 T avocado oil, divided
2 C chopped shiitake mushrooms (4-5 oz)
1 5-oz box fresh spinach
1/4 C chopped shallots
2 crushed cloves garlic
1 T flour
1/2 C cream or half and half
1/4 t salt
1/8 t nutmeg
1/8 t black pepper
Warm 1 tablespoon oil over medium heat in one pan, and another tablespoon of oil over medium heat in another pan. Add the mushrooms to one pan and cook for five minutes. Meanwhile put the shallots and garlic in the other pan; stir and cook 2 minutes. Add the flour and stir. Add the cream and combine well. Add the spices; stir and bring to a boil.
Put the spinach on top of the mushrooms and stir to wilt the spinach. Stir the onion mixture a couple of minutes while it thickens then add the spinach mixture. Combine everything and serve. Garnish with sliced almonds or chopped walnuts if you like.
[1] “Carcinogens linked to cancer stem cells, but spinach can help,” Oregon State University, ScienceDaily, June 20, 2012.
