Catalan Spinach Espinacas A La Catalana Food

SPINACH WITH RAISINS AND PINE NUTS (ESPINACS A LA CATALANA)

Steps:

• Place the raisins in a small bowl, add very hot water to cover, and soak until plump, 10 to 15 minutes. Drain well and pat dry with paper towels, then set aside.
• Rinse, but do not drain the spinach. Place the spinach in a large saucepan over medium heat and cover the pan. Cook the spinach in the water that clings to its leaves until just wilted, 4-5 minutes, stirring a few times.
• Transfer the spinach to a colander and squeeze out the excess moisture by pressing on the spinach with the back of a spoon. Chop the spinach coarsely. (The spinach can be prepared a few hours ahead up to this point).
• Heat the olive oil in a large skillet or wok over low heat. Add the garlic, pine nuts, and soaked raisins and cook until the nuts and garlic are light golden, 3-5 minutes.
• Increase the heat to medium, add the chopped spinach and cook for about 1 minute, stirring to combine evenly. Season with salt and pepper to taste, transfer to a serving bowl and serve.

ESPINACA A LA CATALAN (CATALAN-STYLE SPINACH)

Steps:

• *NOTE: Original recipe specified a golden delicious apple. However any apple variety that holds its shape well for baking will work in this recipe: Rome beauty, braeburn, gala, for example.
• Heat the olive oil in a large pan over a medium-high flame.
• When the oil is very hot, add the apple cubes and cook until they are lightly browned; about 1-2 minutes.
• Add the pine nuts and cook until they are lightly browned; about 20-30 seconds. Watch pan carefully as the pine nuts can burn quite easily! *Constantly stir the nuts to avoid burning.*.
• Add the raisins and the 1/2 teaspoon salt; stir together. Add the spinach and sauté very fast until it just starts to wilt; about another 20-30 seconds.
• Now remove the pan from the heat; the spinach will continue to wilt off the heat.
• Add salt to taste, and serve immediately.