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Ispanakhi matsvnit
Spinach with yogurt
ისპანახი მაწვნით (ispanakhi matsvnit): Georgian wilted spinach folded into garlicky matsoni yoghurt with coriander
In Georgian homes from Tbilisi to Kakheti, ispanakhi matsvnit is one of the quick dishes on a supra table and a weekday side all spring, when spinach is young and sweet. The spinach is wilted, squeezed and chopped, then folded into thick matsoni (Georgian set yoghurt) with crushed garlic, coriander and a little blue fenugreek, and served cool with bread, beans or grilled vegetables. Suitable as part of a balanced diet. About 110 kcal and 8 g carbohydrate per portion. The usual mistake is not squeezing the spinach hard enough, so water seeps into the yoghurt and makes it thin. Chef's tip: crush the garlic with a pinch of salt to a smooth paste so it spreads evenly through the yoghurt rather than hitting you in raw lumps.
- Total time
- 15 min
- Difficulty
- easy
- Serves
- 4
Ingredients
- 1 ⅓ lb fresh spinachwashed
- 2 cloves garlic
- ½ tsp salt
- ½ oz fresh corianderfinely chopped
- ¼ tsp black pepper
- ⅔ oz walnuts (optional)chopped
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Method
0/4 doneStep 1: Put 1 ⅓ lb fresh spinach in a large pan with only the water clinging to it, cover and cook over a medium heat for 3–4 minutes, turning once, until fully wilted.
4 minStep 2: Drain, cool under cold water, then squeeze hard in your hands until no more liquid runs out. Chop finely.
4 minStep 3: Crush 2 cloves garlic with ½ tsp salt to a paste and stir it into 10 ½ oz matsoni or thick plain yoghurt (Greek-style) with ½ oz fresh coriander, ½ tsp ground blue fenugreek (utskho suneli) or ground coriander and ¼ tsp black pepper.
2 minStep 4: Fold in the spinach and spoon onto a plate. Scatter with ⅔ oz walnuts if using and serve cool.
1 min
Nutrition per serving
- Calories
- 110 kcal
- Protein
- 9 g
- Carbs
- 8 g
- Fat
- 5 g
- Fibre
- 4 g
Nutrition values are estimates.
KrazyBadal
Good to know
- How long does ispanakhi matsvnit take?
- About 15 minutes in total: 10 minutes to prepare and 5 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 vegetarian?
- Yes. It has no meat or fish.
- 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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