Balsamic-Parmesan Sautéed Spinach

For our feature recipe this month, we are sharing yet another Eating Well recipe. Eating Well specifically highlights good-for-you iron focused meals. We all remember Popeye gobbling down spinach for superhuman strength in the animated TV show, but we now know that although spinach is a healthy food, it isn't quite the iron superfood it is cracked up to be.

Spinach contains 3.4 mg of iron for every 125 ml serving. Pair this month's recipe with foods high in vitamin C such as red & yellow peppers to maximize absorption, or if you include and tolerate meat in your diet, grill up some steak to serve alongside this green meal.

By Carolyn Casner

Tested by EatingWell Test Kitchen

Reviewed by Dietitian Jessica Ball, M.S., RD

Note: The Daily Value (DV) for iron is 8-18 mg for non-pregnant adults (during pregnancy, more iron is needed primarily to supply the growing fetus and placenta and to increase the maternal red cell mass). A deficiency can occur if your intake is too low to replace the amount you lose daily. Iron deficiency can cause anemia and lead to symptoms like fatigue. Menstruating women who don’t consume iron-rich foods are at a particularly high risk of deficiency.

Prep Time: 15 mins

Total Time: 15 mins

Serving Size: 5

Ingredients

  • 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil

  • 3 cloves garlic, minced

  • 1 pound fresh spinach

  • ¼ teaspoon salt

  • ¼ teaspoon ground pepper

  • 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese

  • 4 teaspoons good-quality balsamic vinegar or balsamic glaze

Directions

  1. Heat oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add garlic and cook, stirring, until fragrant, 30 seconds to 1 minute.

  2. Add spinach, salt and pepper; toss to coat.

  3. Cook, stirring, until just wilted, 3 to 5 minutes.

  4. Remove from heat and stir in Parmesan.

  5. Drizzle with vinegar (or glaze) and serve immediately.

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