Wiktor Wise
Steaming spinach is a simple and healthy way to cook this nutritious vegetable. It can be steamed in a variety of ways, including on the stove, in the microwave, or using an electric steamer. When steaming spinach, it's important not to overcook it, as this can lead to a dry and unappetizing texture. The goal is to cook it just enough so that the leaves are slightly wilted and bright green, which usually takes around 3 to 5 minutes. To enhance the flavour of steamed spinach, it can be seasoned with butter, lemon juice, salt, pepper, or various herbs and spices.
How to steam spinach in an electric steamer
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Amount of spinach | 1 pound raw spinach leaves |
| Amount of water | 1 inch of water in the saucepan |
| Type of spinach | Whole spinach or baby spinach leaves |
| Spinach preparation | Wash leaves in cold water to remove dirt and sand, use a salad spinner to dry |
| Steamer preparation | Place a steamer basket in the saucepan, with feet extended |
| Heat | Medium-high heat until boiling, then reduce to medium heat |
| Cooking time | 3-5 minutes, or until the leaves are wilted and bright green |
| Seasoning | Lemon juice, salt, pepper, butter, hollandaise sauce, garlic powder |
| Serving suggestions | Serve immediately, store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days |
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What You'll Learn
How to steam spinach in an electric steamer: preparation
To steam spinach in an electric steamer, start by preparing the spinach for cooking. If you are using fresh spinach, you will need to wash and dry the spinach leaves. Place the spinach in a colander and run it under tap water until it is slightly damp. If you are using pre-washed spinach leaves, you can skip this step.
Next, prepare your electric steamer by filling the base with water. The amount of water you add will depend on the type and size of your steamer, but generally, you will want to add enough water to reach just below the steamer basket. Turn on your steamer and set it to medium-high heat.
While the steamer is heating up, you can prepare the spinach for cooking. If your spinach has large stems, you may want to remove them, as they can be tough and fibrous. However, if you are using baby spinach, the stems are usually tender enough to leave intact.
Once the steamer is heated, place the spinach in the steamer basket. Make sure not to overcrowd the basket, as you want the steam to circulate evenly around the spinach. Place the lid on the steamer and set a timer for 3 to 5 minutes.
During the steaming process, the spinach will wilt and become tender. After the timer goes off, carefully remove the steamer basket from the electric steamer. Use tongs or a spoon to transfer the cooked spinach to a serving plate or bowl.
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How long to steam spinach in an electric steamer
Steaming spinach is a simple and healthy way to cook this versatile vegetable. It is important not to overcook spinach, as it will dry out, so steamed spinach is best served immediately.
To steam spinach in an electric steamer, start by rinsing the spinach under cool, running water. You can remove any large stems, as these will soften while steaming, but this is not necessary. Pat the spinach dry with a clean paper towel. Place the spinach in your electric steamer, add 1/4 cup of water, and cover with a lid. Set the steamer to medium-high heat. When the spinach starts to steam, turn the heat down to medium. The spinach is done when it is slightly wilted and bright green, which should take around 3-5 minutes. If you are cooking a large batch, it may take a little longer.
Once the spinach is cooked, transfer it to a colander and shake it gently over the sink to remove excess water. You can then season the spinach with salt, pepper, lemon juice, butter, or herbs.
If you are cooking frozen spinach, simply place the spinach in the steamer basket, cover, and steam until heated through.
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Seasoning and serving steamed spinach
Once your spinach is steamed, you can season and serve it.
Firstly, transfer the spinach to a colander to remove any excess water. You can then transfer the spinach to a serving plate.
There are many ways to season steamed spinach. A popular option is to sprinkle it with salt, pepper, and garlic powder. You can then drizzle it with melted butter and lemon juice. You can also top it with an additional pat of butter if desired.
If you want to avoid butter, you can top the spinach with hollandaise sauce instead. You can also replace the butter with extra-virgin olive oil.
Steamed spinach is a versatile side dish that goes well with many main courses, including chicken, beef, pork, and seafood. It can also be added to pasta, frittatas, scrambled eggs, and sandwiches.
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What to serve with steamed spinach
Steamed spinach is a versatile side dish that can accompany a variety of meals. Here are some ideas for what to serve with steamed spinach:
Proteins
For a well-rounded meal, pair steamed spinach with a source of protein. Some options include crispy sesame tofu, seared scallops, shrimp, salmon, chicken, beef, or pork. The mild flavour and texture of steamed spinach will complement these proteins without overwhelming their individual flavours.
Carbohydrates
Spinach also goes well with various carbohydrates. Try serving it alongside pasta dishes like fettuccine Alfredo, mac and cheese, or baked ziti. You can even mix steamed spinach into your pasta for a nutritional boost. Alternatively, pair it with polenta for a comforting meal.
Soups and Salads
The freshness of steamed spinach makes it an excellent companion to soups and salads. Try pairing it with a hearty soup like black bean soup or chili, or add it to a grain bowl or salad for an extra serving of vegetables.
Eggs
For a tasty breakfast or brunch option, serve steamed spinach with eggs. You can incorporate steamed spinach into omelettes, scrambled eggs, frittatas, or breakfast tacos for a nutritious and satisfying start to your day.
Other Vegetables
Spinach is also delicious when paired with other vegetables. Try serving it with sautéed mushrooms, roasted carrots, or steamed cabbage. You can also experiment with different seasonings and toppings, such as toasted walnuts, sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds, or freshly grated Parmesan cheese, to enhance the flavour of your steamed spinach.
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Storing steamed spinach
Once you've steamed your spinach, you can eat it immediately or store it for later. However, make sure to eat your leftovers before they go bad.
Leftover steamed spinach can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3 to 4 days. If your spinach isn't in an airtight container, make sure you don't store it next to ethylene-producing fruits, such as bananas and apples.
You can also freeze steamed spinach if you need to keep it for longer than a week. Place the spinach in freezer bags, removing all excess air before sealing them tightly. Store the spinach in the freezer for up to a year. Frozen spinach is great for smoothies, soups, sauces, casseroles, and stir-fries. However, it's important to note that frozen spinach will not taste the same as fresh spinach, even after it has been thawed.
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Frequently asked questions
First, rinse the spinach under cool, running water and pat it dry with a clean paper towel. Place the spinach in your electric steamer, add 1/4 cup of water, and cover the steamer. Turn the heat to medium-high. When the spinach starts to cook, turn the heat to medium and keep cooking until the leaves are just wilted and bright green. This should take around 3 to 5 minutes.
If you're using a saucepan, you may need to cook your spinach in two batches if your pan isn't big enough. One pound of raw spinach leaves yields about 2 cups of steamed spinach, which is enough for four servings of 1/2 cup each.
Steamed spinach is best served immediately, but it can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3 to 4 days.
Steamed spinach is a versatile side dish that goes well with chicken, beef, pork, and seafood. It can also be added to scrambled eggs, frittatas, pot pies, stuffing, dips, and smoothies.
