How To Cook Spinach

Cooking spinach can be done a variety of ways: in casseroles, boiled, steamed, baked on pizza or something else, or in sauces. This will show you the easiest way to steam spinach in order to keep the majority of nutrients intact.

1. Step 1: Choose Spinach

   In the store, try to choose spinach with the least amount of brown or yellow leaves. Leaves should be bright green and crisp looking. If some outer leaves are yellowing, this is okay since you can remove them before cooking.

2. If you're growing spinach in your own garden, be sure to pick it in the early morning so it is fresher and the sun has less of a chance to yellow or brown your fresh spinach. Fresh spinach can be grown in the spring and early fall.

3. Step 2: Prepare Spinach

   Remove all brown or yellow leaves and wash thoroughly in a colander. When you think you've washed the spinach enough, wash it again. Even so-called "prewashed" spinach is full of grit and dirt. No one wants to have grit between their teeth while eating their spinach.

4. Step 3: Chop Spinach

   With a your own hands or kitchen shears, remove stems and separate leaves. Then, using a wooden cutting board and a sharp knife, chop spinach into one or two inch square pieces.

5. Step 4: Rinse Spinach Again

   In a colander, re-rinse the spinach but do not dry it. The moisture clinging to the leaves will be enough to steam your spinach once you transfer it to the pot or pan.

6. Step 5: Steam Spinach

   Transfer spinach to a pot or large frying pan set to medium heat. Cook for about a minute, then stir, making sure each leaf has a chance to sit at the bottom of the pan. Spinach is cooked when the leaves are still bright green but wilted completely.

7. You may use a tablespoon of oil in this last step if desired. Seasoning your spinach with cracked red pepper, garlic, salt and pepper or other seasonings may be desired as well, depending on your own personal taste.

8. If you're using the spinach in another dish, immediately submerge cooked spinach in ice cold water to preserve their fresh, green color. This is especially important if using in a wilted spinach salad.

9. Spinach is an excellent source of vitamins and minerals. While low in calories, spinach is full of vitamins A and C and iron.

10. Whether you're eating your spinach alone as a side dish, or as part of a salad or or other entree, steaming your spinach is the easiest and most heart-healthy way to prepare it.