Spinach - Cheap Ways to Make Yourself Eat Your Veggies
As the mothers of many toddlers can attest, it can be very difficult to get some kids to eat vegetables. Not only that, but I oftentimes find myself without the time to prepare an extra side of veggies when I'm in a hurry and they get left out of some meals.
Recently, however, I discovered my answer. Spinach! Spinach, while not as nutritious as we first though, is still packed with nutrients and fiber. Not only that, but if you know how to use it, it can be your answer to eating better.
Lately, while passing through the frozen foods aisle, I saw a big bag of frozen spinach. I stood there a moment and fantasized about all of the things I might try with it before I finally snatched it and put it in the basket. My picky daughter wasn't getting her leafy greens and I was desperate to try something that she would eat.
I prefer buying my spinach frozen. I sometimes have a habit of buying vegetables and putting them in the refrigerator and then forgetting that they are there until I find them wilted and slimy a few days later. Instead of risking wasting my money, I invest in the frozen cooked spinach instead. It sits in my freezer until I am ready for it and I just pull out handfuls at a time in whatever amounts I need.
Over the course of the next few days, I managed to use the whole bag of spinach. It's amazing how many things you can add it to. I put handfuls of it in soups. You can add it to fruit smoothies. Spinach tastes great on pizza or pureed into omelets and scrambled eggs. I sprinkle it over baked potatoes, stuff it into chicken breasts with some cheese, and include it in my casseroles and quinoa dishes. It's easily hidden in chili and spaghetti. You can add it to quiche. Even some types of savory or cheesy breads are easy to hide pureed spinach in. College students on a budget can benefit from adding some spinach to their bowl of ramen (I wish I had known this one back at the university!).
Often while cooking, I think a moment about whether spinach would taste okay in the recipe I'm using or if it will be noticed there. Usually it's fine. You can use a little or a lot and the taste is hardly noticeable, if at all.
So here's to spinach: easy, healthy, and CHEAP!
photo by delazon
Recently, however, I discovered my answer. Spinach! Spinach, while not as nutritious as we first though, is still packed with nutrients and fiber. Not only that, but if you know how to use it, it can be your answer to eating better.
Lately, while passing through the frozen foods aisle, I saw a big bag of frozen spinach. I stood there a moment and fantasized about all of the things I might try with it before I finally snatched it and put it in the basket. My picky daughter wasn't getting her leafy greens and I was desperate to try something that she would eat.
I prefer buying my spinach frozen. I sometimes have a habit of buying vegetables and putting them in the refrigerator and then forgetting that they are there until I find them wilted and slimy a few days later. Instead of risking wasting my money, I invest in the frozen cooked spinach instead. It sits in my freezer until I am ready for it and I just pull out handfuls at a time in whatever amounts I need.
Over the course of the next few days, I managed to use the whole bag of spinach. It's amazing how many things you can add it to. I put handfuls of it in soups. You can add it to fruit smoothies. Spinach tastes great on pizza or pureed into omelets and scrambled eggs. I sprinkle it over baked potatoes, stuff it into chicken breasts with some cheese, and include it in my casseroles and quinoa dishes. It's easily hidden in chili and spaghetti. You can add it to quiche. Even some types of savory or cheesy breads are easy to hide pureed spinach in. College students on a budget can benefit from adding some spinach to their bowl of ramen (I wish I had known this one back at the university!).
Often while cooking, I think a moment about whether spinach would taste okay in the recipe I'm using or if it will be noticed there. Usually it's fine. You can use a little or a lot and the taste is hardly noticeable, if at all.
So here's to spinach: easy, healthy, and CHEAP!
photo by delazon