Sweet Sautéed Spinach

Sweet Sautéed Spinach

Fresh, raw greens are the most nutritious foods we can eat as they provide great antioxidants and include many important nutrients that nourish our bodies and prevent illness. They should be included in everyone’s daily diet, but it’s sometimes hard to find variety with how we eat them. Sure, salads are easy to throw together, but it’s not the only way to enjoy greens. Try sautéing spinach to add variety to your dinner plate and increase your intake of this nutrient-dense food. In this recipe, we’ll use walnuts, raisins and garlic to add depth and flavor to the spinach. Don’t have these in your pantry? Try substituting pine nuts or slivered almonds for the nuts and cranberries or currents for the pop of sweetness. This recipe comes together in minutes and is ideal for using up spinach or other greens in your fridge.

Sweet Sautéed Spinach

Spinach is a versatile green. The tender leaf is ideal for salads but can become a delicious savory warm side dish. Pairing this green with walnuts and raisins creates a delicious sweet umami flavor that complements any hearty meal. 

Author: Erica Leazenby, MD

Time: 8-10 minutes

Serves: 4

Ingredients:

1 Tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil

1 garlic clove, whole but crushed

1 pinch red pepper flakes (optional)

¼ cup raw walnuts

2 Tablespoons raisins

6 cups spinach (5 ounce package), washed and dried

Salt and pepper to taste

Directions:

1.    Heat the olive oil over medium heat in a large skillet or pot. Add the garlic, red pepper flakes, walnuts and raisins. Sauté this mixture until the walnuts start to toast, the raisins plum and the garlic becomes soft, about 2-3 minutes 

2.    Add the spinach to the pan. Gently toss the leaves periodically until the greens are soft and wilted. Salt and pepper to taste. 

3.    Serve warm.