Keep spinach pleasant in soups and stews
Add spinach near the end of cooking to avoid overcooking and developing a slimy texture. The residual heat from the stew wilts leaves quickly without breaking them down.
Practical steps:
- Finish with fresh spinach: stir in handfuls 2–5 minutes before serving.
- Use baby spinach for tenderness; larger leaves may need a brief pre-cook and then be added.
- For frozen spinach, thaw, squeeze dry, and add toward the end to reheat without extra water.
Additional tips:
- Cut spinach into manageable pieces for even distribution.
- Balance with acid (lemon or vinegar) at the end to refresh flavor.
- Avoid long simmering after adding spinach to preserve texture.
This approach keeps soups vibrant and pleasant while taking advantage of spinach’s quick-cooking nature.