Three Easy Spinach Sautes

You may have seen my recipe for Spinach Pita Pizzas   and my other favorite, Spinach Mushroom Pasta. Like I said, I am crazy about spinach. It adds to anything, so I have found, though I still haven’t tried it in a dessert.

Sometimes I am just hungry for the spinach itself. In winter especially, something hot tastes good for lunch and dinner. I tend to eat less salads then because I’m craving warmth. That’s how these recipes were first prepared.

All three recipes are fast and easy. The first two take just minutes, the third less than thirty. I eat each of these often, both for the nutritional value and the yummy taste.

Spinach and Garbanzos

First we have Spinach with Garbanzo beans. Sauté minced garlic, some chopped onion, then add the whole spinach and a can of drained and rinsed garbanzos. Heat through until the beans are hot and the spinach wilted, and you have a delicious lunch, dinner, or side serving. Of course you can substitute another bean if you prefer.

The complete recipe is here 

Spinach and Peanut Butter

This second dish surprised me. My sister told me it was a popular dish she ate often while she was living in Swaziland. I had to try it for myself. It is so tasty! I added a few whole peanuts to the dish for fun. They are great, but not necessary. For this recipe, simply saute the spinach, then drain off the liquid. Stir in the peanut butter, and your meal is served. You know how satisfying peanut butter can be, right? It adds filling to the spinach for a terrific—and happy—taste sensation. You have to try it to believe it. Trust me. It will only take a few minutes for you to taste for yourself.

Here’s the recipe.

Chicken and Spinach Saute

The third saute is not vegetarian, but delicious! I was hungry for chicken one night, so decided to add it to a spinach saute. It came out great. A little onion and garlic, one or two pieces of chicken, chopped into bite sized pieces. Throw in spinach and a can of beans—very filling. I had red beans on hand so used those, but navy beans are very tasty too. Or try a mixed bean variety even. It really hit the spot. Beans are another food highly ranked for brain and body health, so this dish is packed with both servings of vegetables, legumes and protein.

The recipe can be found right here.

One thing to note, in case you were wondering, I only use fresh spinach. It tastes so much better than frozen, and has a much better texture. These recipes all use whole spinach, but even in casseroles, fresh is easily chopped. Go for the freshness whenever you can.

So there you have it. Fast, easy, hot, and delicious, all one skillet meals besides.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Merry Citarella, often writing as Merrci, writes on a wide range of topics. Recently relocated to the Oregon Coast in the northwest United States, she frequently writes travel features on the beautiful Pacific Northwest. She specializes in health and aging, Alzheimer’s Disease, food, lifestyle, and book reviews. For more information you can see her on The Writers’Door. You can read more articles here or at her websites Alzheimers HQ and Simple Living Ideas