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Espinacs a la catalana

Spinach with raisins and pine nuts

Espinacs a la catalana: spinach sautéed with raisins, pine nuts and garlic

This dish carries the sweet-and-savoury taste of medieval Catalan cooking: spinach wilted with plump raisins and toasted pine nuts, sometimes with a little pork fat or anchovy, though olive oil is just as traditional. Families cook it in spring and autumn as a side for fish or chicken, or as a light first course before the main. It takes ten minutes. Chef's tip: soak the raisins in warm water first so they swell and burst sweetly, instead of turning hard in the hot pan.
Total time
20 min
Difficulty
easy
Serves
4
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Ingredients

Serves4
  • 1 ⅜ oz raisinssoaked in warm water for 10 minutes
  • 1 ¾ lb fresh spinachwashed and drained
  • 3 tbsp olive oil
  • 2 cloves garlicthinly sliced
  • 1 ⅜ oz pine nuts
  • ½ tsp salt

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Method

0/5 done
  1. Step 1: Put 1 ¾ lb fresh spinach in a large pan with only the water clinging to its leaves. Cover and cook over a medium-high heat for 2–3 minutes, turning once, until just wilted.

    3 min
  2. Step 2: Drain in a colander and press out as much water as you can with a spoon. A common mistake is skipping this: the oil and garlic then swim in green water instead of coating the leaves. Chop roughly.

  3. Step 3: Wipe the pan dry, add 3 tbsp olive oil and heat over a medium heat. Fry 1 ⅜ oz pine nuts for 1–2 minutes, stirring, until pale golden. Add 2 cloves garlic and fry for 30 seconds until fragrant but not brown.

    3 min
  4. Step 4: Drain 1 ⅜ oz raisins and add them with the spinach and ½ tsp salt. Toss over the heat for 2–3 minutes until hot and glossy.

    3 min
  5. Step 5: Serve warm.

Nutrition per serving

Calories
170 kcal
Protein
6 g
Carbs
13 g
Fat
12 g
Fibre
4 g

Nutrition values are estimates.

K
Recipe by

KrazyBadal

All recipes by this chef →

Good to know

How long does espinacs a la catalana take?
About 20 minutes in total: 10 minutes to prepare and 10 minutes to cook.
How many people does it serve?
4 as written. Change the servings above the ingredients and every amount scales to match.
Is it vegan?
Yes. It has no meat, fish, dairy or eggs.
Is it gluten free?
Yes, as written. Check the labels on stock, sauces and spice mixes, which sometimes contain gluten.
What can I use instead of fresh spinach?
Frozen spinach, thawed and squeezed: about a third of the weight.
What can I use instead of garlic?
½ tsp garlic paste or ⅛ tsp garlic powder per clove.

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