Hi Myrna,

Although raw spinach is an extremely popular leafy substance which I've often used in salads, most experts suggest eating your Spinach cooked whenever possible. It seems, at least according to what I've read, cooking seems to make the nutrients and anti-oxidant carotenoids found in Spinach easier for our bodies to absorb.

As far as using it in the Dip, that would seem to just be a matter of taste. For me personally, I think that I would at least steam the Spinach before adding it.

I generally like to remove the stems of spinach by hand before cooking, a bit tedious, but worth it in the end. Try steaming the freshly washed and stemmed spinach by placing the spinach with it's clinging water droplets into a large pot or wok. Cover and cook, stirring regularly. Generally, the water on the leaves is enough to steam cook the spinach. You can also cook spinach in a steamer over boiling water for 5-8 minutes. When finished, you can complete the process in a number of different ways. Garlic, freshly cracked black pepper, and olive oil are favorites. If the spinach is to be used later in a more complex dish, you may want to blanch it in a large amount of water just until it wilts, then submerge in ice water to preserve its color.

Hope this helps answer your questions my Friend.

Have A Terrific Day,

Phil

Hi Phil and Myrna,

As two of my good friends on Adlandpro, you certainly are welcome to use my forum to correspond! Yes, the information provided was helpful.

Phil,

I cannot seem to find raw baby spinach in my stores. They only have the large spinach leaves. On her cooking show, Rachel Ray recommends the baby spinach, too.

DonnaZ

Hi Donna & Myrna,

Myrna, glad that answered your questions.

Donna, it's quite often difficult to find raw Baby Spinach leaves around here as well. Around here in NC, at least, Spinach is sold either loose, bunched, in prepackaged bags, canned, or frozen. I generally use the fresh-frozen prepackaged bags, usually 10 oz bags. Unfortunately, fresh Spinach loses much of its nutritional value with storage of more than a few days. While refrigeration can slow this effect to perhaps about eight days, the Spinach will still lose most of its folate and carotenoid content, so for longer storage it should be either frozen, cooked and frozen, or canned. Storage in the freezer can be for up to eight months.

As a point of fact, most all frozen vegetables actually have more nutrients than fresh unless you grow them yourself, or purchase them from a local grower. They go directly from the field to be blanched and aren't stored as long as fresh. It doesn't seem like it would be true but it is.

Spinach Soufflé

I agree with Myrna on fixing this dip containing frozen spinach. I've made the "Knoors" famous spinach dip 50 times.... lol. All you have to do is unthaw and squeeze out the water. I would not heat or sautee it.

Sounds like a yummy recipe Donna. I love dips.

THANK YOU PHIL for those healthier crackers. Made from nuts?? I haven't heard of them before. I'll look for them in the stores.

Thanks my food friends. You are all good!!!

Pat

Quote:
Oh Boy Donna and Phil, it do sound sooooooooo good.
Thanks Phil for the nutty crackers.

Question: Why would you have to cook the frozen spinach, why not just use it just thawed. Every time it is cooked you lose more value in your food.

Hugs,
Myrna