Popeye Had It Right- Eat Spinach

Ah… I just got back home from a quick long road trip to Atlanta to visit friends and family. As much as I love to travel and love the food I get to enjoy from faraway places, after a week I really crave a home cooked meal loaded with veggies. With summer here (at least here in Texas) I have been craving salads too. This Strawberry Spinach Salad with Balsamic Vinaigrette is perfect to fill both my cravings for a light home cooked meal loaded with fresh fruit and veggies.
And in case you didn’t know all the health benefits of spinach read the article below that I wrote for meal planning/recipe site Food on the Table. Oh and here is a fun little tidbit about me: I can’t say Popeye! Eric says I pronounce it “Pipe”-eye! LOL! I never hear the end of it from him…

Who knew cartoon character Popeye, had it so right when it comes to eating the healthy and energy inducing green: spinach!

This popular leafy green originated in the Middle East and was eventually brought to Europe and the United States by the Spaniards. In fact, for a while, spinach was known as “the Spanish vegetable”. Today, the Netherlands and the United States are among the largest commercial producers and consumers of spinach.

Spinach contains impressive amounts of vitamins and minerals and is extremely low in calories. An incredible source of iron, potassium and magnesium ; spinach is also a great source of Vitamins A, C, B2, B6, as well as folic acid and zinc. With all these vitamins and minerals, spinach provides much needed strength and energy, builds strong bones, helps prevent diabetes and strengthens the immune system.

Spinach is a rare vegetable in that it is available fresh year round. It is very inexpensive and is a common veggie found at all grocery stores and markets. When purchasing spinach look for bundles that have deep green leaves and stems with no signs of yellowing. The leaves should look fresh and not be wilted or bruised.

When storing spinach, wrap spinach in paper towels and place it in a plastic storage bag. It is important not to wash spinach before storing, as the moisture from the water will increase spoilage. Spinach can be stored in the refrigerator for 3 to 5 days.

There is a variety of ways to enjoy this great vegetable. As with most vegetables, spinach is best eaten raw to obtain the most nutritional value; it can be served in a fresh salad, on a sandwich in place of lettuce or added to a smoothie. Spinach can also be cooked by boiling, sautéing, or blanching. Cook spinach only until it begins to go limp and add it to pasta, casseroles and quiches.

My favorite way to eat spinach is in salads. This Strawberry Spinach Salad with a balsamic vinaigrette is perfect for summer. Serve as an easy side dish or add grilled chicken for a light and flavorful dinner.

Strawberry Spinach Salad with Balsamic Vinaigrette
by Heather of Kitchen Concoctions: www.kitchen-concoctions.com
Printable Version
Prep Time: 8 minutes Serves: 4

Salad:
1 (9 ounce) bag spinach leaves
1 pint strawberries, washed and sliced
½ cup slivered almonds, toasted

Dressing:
1/3 cup olive oil
¼ cup balsamic vinegar
¼ cup sugar
½ tablespoon poppy seeds
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
¼ teaspoon paprika
1/8 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon black pepper

Mix all salad ingredients in a large bowl. In a separate bowl whisk dressing ingredients together. Right before serving pour dressing over salad and toss to coat.