Creamy Garlic Spinach Delight
Elevate your vegetable side dish with this Creamy Garlic Spinach Delight. This recipe combines tender baby spinach with a rich and velvety garlic cream that enhances the flavor without overwhelming it. Perfect as a complement to grilled meats, pasta, or as a standalone dish, this creamed spinach is a delightful way to enjoy greens. Ready in under 15 minutes, it's a quick and satisfying addition to your meal that everyone will love.
N/A
Servings
200
Calories
7
Ingredients
Ingredients
Water
1/4 cup (Used for boiling spinach)
Baby Spinach
5 ounces (Washed and ready to cook)
Heavy Cream
3 tablespoons (Measured for the sauce)
Garlic
1 clove (Lightly smashed and peeled)
Nutmeg
1/8 teaspoon (Freshly grated)
Salt
1/8 teaspoon (For seasoning)
Black Pepper
1/8 teaspoon (Freshly ground, for seasoning)
Instructions
1
In a heavy 2-quart saucepan, bring 1/4 cup of water to a boil over medium heat.
2
Once boiling, gradually add the baby spinach in handfuls, stirring gently. Cook for about 2-3 minutes or until the spinach is wilted.
3
Transfer the cooked spinach to a fine-mesh sieve placed over a bowl. Use the back of a wooden spoon to press the spinach, extracting as much liquid as possible. Discard the excess liquid.
4
In the same saucepan, combine the heavy cream, the lightly smashed garlic, freshly grated nutmeg, salt, and black pepper. Bring the mixture to a gentle boil, stirring occasionally, and allow it to reduce until it thickens slightly, about 2 minutes.
5
After the cream mixture has thickened, carefully remove and discard the garlic clove. Add the drained spinach back into the saucepan, tossing it gently to combine and ensure it is evenly coated in the creamy mixture.
6
Continue heating for an additional minute or until the spinach is warmed through. Serve immediately and enjoy your creamy garlic spinach delight!
Nutrition Information
18g
Fat
6g
Carbs
5g
Protein
2g
Fiber
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Creamy Garlic Spinach Delight?
It is a quick and rich vegetable side dish featuring tender baby spinach tossed in a velvety garlic-infused cream sauce.
How long does it take to prepare this recipe?
This recipe is very fast and can be ready to serve in under 15 minutes.
What are the main ingredients?
The main ingredients include baby spinach, heavy cream, garlic, nutmeg, salt, black pepper, and a small amount of water.
How many calories are in a serving?
There are approximately 200 calories per serving of this creamy spinach dish.
What is the fat content of this dish?
This dish contains 18g of fat, primarily from the heavy cream.
How many grams of carbohydrates are in this recipe?
Each serving contains 6g of carbohydrates.
Does this spinach dish provide any fiber?
Yes, it provides 2g of dietary fiber per serving.
How much protein is in this recipe?
There are 5g of protein in this creamy garlic spinach dish.
How do I initially cook the spinach?
Bring 1/4 cup of water to a boil in a 2-quart saucepan, add the spinach in handfuls, and cook for 2-3 minutes until wilted.
Why do I need to use a fine-mesh sieve?
A sieve is used to press out excess liquid from the cooked spinach to prevent the final cream sauce from becoming watery.
How is the garlic prepared for the sauce?
The garlic should be one clove that is lightly smashed and peeled before being added to the cream.
Do I leave the garlic clove in the final dish?
No, the garlic clove should be removed and discarded after the cream has thickened and before adding the spinach back in.
What seasonings are added to the heavy cream?
The cream is seasoned with freshly grated nutmeg, salt, and freshly ground black pepper.
How long should the cream mixture simmer?
The mixture should reach a gentle boil and reduce for about 2 minutes until it thickens slightly.
What is the recommended amount of heavy cream?
The recipe calls for 3 tablespoons of heavy cream.
How much spinach is required?
You will need 5 ounces of baby spinach.
What does nutmeg add to the recipe?
Nutmeg provides a subtle aromatic warmth that complements the richness of the cream and the earthy flavor of the spinach.
What is the best way to serve this dish?
It is best served immediately as a side dish for grilled meats, pasta, or even as a standalone vegetable dish.
Is this recipe suitable for a healthy diet?
Yes, it is tagged as healthy and is a great way to incorporate more leafy greens into your diet.
Can I use regular spinach instead of baby spinach?
While the recipe specifies baby spinach for its tenderness, regular spinach can be used if it is well-washed and stems are removed.
How much water is used for boiling?
Only 1/4 cup of water is needed to steam-boil the spinach.
What size saucepan should I use?
A heavy 2-quart saucepan is recommended for this recipe.
How much salt and pepper should I add?
The recipe suggests 1/8 teaspoon of salt and 1/8 teaspoon of black pepper.
Is this considered comfort food?
Yes, the rich and velvety texture of the garlic cream makes it a classic comfort food side dish.
Is this recipe difficult to make?
No, it is classified as an easy recipe with simple steps and a very short cooking time.
How do I ensure the spinach is coated well?
Toss the drained spinach gently in the thickened cream mixture to ensure it is evenly coated.
How long do I heat it after mixing everything together?
Heat the combined mixture for one additional minute or until the spinach is completely warmed through.
Can I make this ahead of time?
It is best served immediately for the best texture and flavor, though it can be reheated gently.
Is this recipe low in carbohydrates?
With only 6g of carbohydrates, it is a relatively low-carb vegetable side dish.
What tags describe this recipe?
Tags include spinach, creamed spinach, garlic, vegetable side dish, quick recipe, healthy, comfort food, and easy recipe.