Persian Spinach Delight Salad
Elevate your salad game with this vibrant Persian Spinach Delight Salad, a beautifully balanced dish that combines the earthy flavors of fresh spinach and warm spices with the creaminess of yogurt. This refreshing salad is perfect as a side dish or a light main course. It showcases the rich culinary traditions of Persia, offering a delightful mix of textures and tastes, enhanced by the crunch of walnuts and the aromatic touch of fresh herbs. Enjoy this salad at room temperature for the best flavor, paired with warm pita bread for a fulfilling meal.
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
12
Ingredients
Ingredients
fresh spinach
1 lb (washed, drained, and coarsely chopped)
unsalted butter
3 tablespoons (melted)
small onion
1 (minced)
ground cinnamon
to taste (optional)
garlic cloves
2 (minced)
drained yogurt
1 cup (see 'Draining Yogurt' box for instructions)
extra virgin olive oil
2 1/2 tablespoons (none)
lemon juice
2 tablespoons (freshly squeezed)
fresh mint or dill
1 tablespoon (chopped)
salt
to taste (none)
freshly ground black pepper
to taste (none)
chopped toasted walnuts
3 tablespoons (toasted)
Instructions
1
Begin by discarding the tough stems from the spinach leaves. Thoroughly wash the leaves under cool water, then drain and coarsely chop them.
2
In a large sauté pan, melt the unsalted butter over medium heat. Add the minced onion along with a generous pinch of ground cinnamon, if you choose to use it. Sauté for about 5 minutes, until the onion is soft and translucent.
3
Incorporate the minced garlic into the pan and sauté for an additional minute until it becomes fragrant.
4
Add the chopped spinach to the pan, cooking until just wilted. Stir frequently, then remove from heat, drain any excess liquid, and allow the spinach mixture to cool completely.
5
While the spinach is cooling, prepare the dressing. In a mixing bowl, whisk together the drained yogurt, extra virgin olive oil, lemon juice, and your choice of chopped fresh mint or dill. Season the dressing with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste.
6
Once the spinach mix has cooled, fold it into the yogurt dressing, mixing well to ensure all ingredients are combined. Taste and adjust seasoning as necessary.
7
Transfer the salad to a serving bowl. Garnish with chopped toasted walnuts and additional herbs if desired. Serve the salad at room temperature and enjoy it with warm pita bread.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Persian Spinach Delight Salad?
It is a vibrant dish that combines earthy fresh spinach and warm spices with creamy yogurt, reflecting the rich culinary traditions of Persia.
How much spinach is required for this recipe?
The recipe calls for 1 lb of fresh spinach.
How should the spinach be prepared?
Discard the tough stems, wash the leaves under cool water, drain them, and then coarsely chop them.
What type of butter is used for sautéing?
Use 3 tablespoons of melted unsalted butter.
When should I add the onion and cinnamon?
Add the minced onion and a pinch of ground cinnamon to the melted butter and sauté for about 5 minutes until soft.
Is the cinnamon mandatory in this salad?
No, the ground cinnamon is optional and can be used to taste.
How long should I sauté the garlic?
Add the minced garlic after the onions are translucent and sauté for an additional minute until fragrant.
How long do I cook the spinach?
Cook the chopped spinach in the pan until it is just wilted, stirring frequently.
Do I need to drain the spinach after cooking?
Yes, remove the spinach from the heat and drain any excess liquid before letting it cool.
Why does the spinach need to cool completely?
Cooling the spinach ensures that it doesn't thin out or curdle the yogurt dressing when mixed together.
What ingredients are in the dressing?
The dressing consists of drained yogurt, extra virgin olive oil, lemon juice, and chopped fresh mint or dill.
How much yogurt is needed?
The recipe requires 1 cup of drained yogurt.
What kind of olive oil should I use?
Use 2 1/2 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil for the best flavor.
Can I use bottled lemon juice?
Freshly squeezed lemon juice is recommended for this recipe, using about 2 tablespoons.
Which fresh herbs work best with this salad?
You can use 1 tablespoon of either chopped fresh mint or fresh dill, depending on your preference.
How is the salad seasoned?
The salad is seasoned with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste.
How do I combine the spinach and the dressing?
Once the spinach mix is cool, fold it gently into the yogurt dressing until all ingredients are well combined.
What is the best way to garnish this dish?
Garnish with 3 tablespoons of chopped toasted walnuts and additional fresh herbs if desired.
At what temperature should the salad be served?
For the best flavor, serve the Persian Spinach Delight Salad at room temperature.
What should I serve with this salad?
It pairs perfectly with warm pita bread for a fulfilling meal.
How many ingredients are in this recipe?
There are 12 ingredients total, including primary components and seasonings.
Can I use a different nut instead of walnuts?
While walnuts provide a traditional crunch, you could experiment with toasted pine nuts or pistachios.
Is this salad considered a main course?
It can be served as either a side dish or a light main course.
Is this recipe healthy?
Yes, it contains nutrient-rich spinach, healthy fats from olive oil and walnuts, and protein from yogurt.
Can I prepare this in advance?
You can cook and cool the spinach ahead of time, but it is best to mix with the yogurt closer to serving for the best texture.
What is the texture of the salad?
It offers a creamy base with soft wilted spinach and a distinct crunch from the toasted walnuts.
Do I need to toast the walnuts?
Yes, toasting the walnuts enhances their flavor and provides a better texture for the salad.
What type of onion should I use?
A small minced onion is sufficient for this recipe.
How many garlic cloves are needed?
The recipe calls for 2 minced garlic cloves.
Can I add more herbs?
Yes, feel free to adjust the amount of fresh mint or dill to suit your personal taste.