Thursday, October 4, 2012

Sweet Spinach Sauté


Sweet Spinach Sauté
This is not your mama’s spinach! The versatile vegetable gets a complete makeover that will make your taste buds dance! I mix the classic flavors of spinach and garlic with the unexpected sweetness of dried figs and just the right touch of honey.  It’s a perfect side dish that can be made in a flash!!
 
Makes 3-4 side dish servings

1 (5oz) bag baby spinach leaves
4-5 dried black mission figs,
    chopped* 
1 tablespoon of garlic, minced
    (3-4 cloves)
1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
1 tablespoon honey
½ teaspoon salt

Heat olive oil in a sauté pan over medium heat.  Add garlic and cook for 1-2 minutes, stirring constantly until the garlic is very fragrant.  (Watch the garlic carefully, if it starts to burn, pull pan off heat for 30 seconds-1 minute).  Then, add figs and stir to mix. Turn heat to low and add spinach leaves and salt.  Cook until leaves are wilted, 1-2 minutes, stirring constantly.  Turn off heat and add honey.  Mix well.  Enjoy!!


Lauren Marie’s Tip:
*You can substitute 2-3 Calimyrna (Golden) Figs, sliced or chopped.  Also, the brand "Made in Nature" is gluten and nut free.
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For visual people, like me, here's what to look for:

Heat 1 tbl olive oil over medium heat for 1-2 minutes, until fragrant
and hot, but not smoking.  

Stir garlic constantly to keep it from burning.

Garlic is done when it is very fragrant and the edges just start
to turn a little darker (1-2 min).  Careful not to burn!

Mix in chopped figs.  These are the black mission figs, but you can
use the golden ones too.  I love that garlicky flavor with the
sweetness of the figs!

Then, turn heat to low and add the spinach (5oz).
It looks like a lot, but it wilts down!
Stir constantly while it wilts to keep the garlic from burning.

Got to season it! 1/2 teaspoon salt.

I told you it would wilt down!

Take pan off heat and mix in 1 tablespoon of honey.  The perfect
compliment to the garlic and the figs!

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