Frozen spinach: cooking recipes, benefits and harms, how to freeze

Frozen spinach is a way to preserve a perishable leafy vegetable for a long time without losing nutrients. In this form, it can be purchased in the store, but in order not to doubt the quality of the product, it is better to do everything yourself. There are many recipes for dishes, the use of which will help a person to get full, without harming the body, to get an energy supply.

Can spinach be frozen

Nutritionists advise eating the young plant in the spring when it is grown in the most favorable environment with less bitter taste and the least amount of oxalic acid. It is best to store spinach frozen.

This must be done immediately after collection and preparation of the product, because in any plant during storage, nitrates are converted into nitrites, which are harmful to health. Many methods of freezing have been developed. From them, you can choose the appropriate option for your favorite dishes.

The benefits and harms of frozen spinach

The benefits of uncooked frozen spinach have been appreciated for a long time.

The chemical composition of the leaves after their use has a beneficial effect on the human body:

normalizes bowel function;
helps people with iron deficiency anemia;
vitamin C prevents age-related vision loss;
including a frozen product in the cold season, a person strengthens the immune system, prevents colds;
promotes weight loss;
normalizes the condition of hair and skin;
normalizes blood pressure and reduces the risk of stroke;
prevent the formation of cancer cells.

Spinach is a "bomb" of trace elements and vitamins for the body.

Important! Blanching can reduce the medicinal properties of the plant. Therefore, for therapeutic and preventive measures, fresh freezing will be the best way.

How to freeze spinach for the winter

Before freezing spinach at home, you need to prepare it. Better to use a ceramic knife, as the product contains acid. Immerse the leaves completely in a bowl of water and rinse gently so as not to damage. Transfer to a colander, wait until all the liquid is drained.

Lay a tea towel and lay out the herbs, let dry. You can speed up the process by blotting with a napkin.

Dry freeze for the winter

This variant of freezing fresh spinach is the most popular and fastest. But it can be done in two ways:

Whole leaves. Collect them in stacks of 10 pieces, roll into rolls. Fix the shape by squeezing with your hand. Freeze on a board and put in a bag.
Crushed product. Cut the leaves without a stem into strips of 2 cm, move into a cellophane bag, tamp a little at the bottom, twist into a tight roll.You can also use cling film.

Store the prepared product in the freezer.

Freezing blanched spinach

You can blanch before freezing in the following ways:

pour boiling water for 1 minute;
dipping a sieve with leaves into boiling water at the same time;
holding in a double boiler for about 2 minutes.

Proper cooling will be important here. Immediately after processing under high temperature, immerse the leaves in ice water, in which it is better to put ice.

Then squeeze out, forming identical figures (balls or cakes). Spread out on a board and put in the freezer. Transfer the frozen product to a bag, close tightly and send for storage.

How to puree spinach in the freezer

Making frozen spinach in briquettes is easy. Cool the blanched product with the stem on ice and transfer to the blender bowl. After crushing, arrange in silicone molds. Wait until it is completely frozen, remove from the molds and place the cubes in a bag. This option is very convenient for making various sauces.

How to freeze spinach at home with butter cubes

The option is almost identical to the previous one, only you need to fill out the forms halfway. The rest of the space should be taken by softened natural oil.

Important! If the shelf life of a frozen vegetable with any of the selected options is up to 12 months, then the latter with butter can only stand for 2 months. It is necessary to sign the production date on the package.

How to cook frozen spinach deliciously

If a fresh vegetable is cooked quite quickly, then the frozen product has some characteristics that you need to get acquainted with.

How to cook frozen spinach

In this case, defrosting may not be necessary, but it should be borne in mind that whole leaves will take longer to cook. It will take approximately 15 minutes. The rest of the methods will take much less time. When preparing soups, this should be taken into account and the ingredient should be added before sautéing.

How to cook frozen spinach in a skillet

Again, everything will depend on the chosen product. In any case, you will need to heat the pan with oil, lay out the freeze and fry first with the lid open so that the moisture evaporates, and then bring it to readiness in the closed form.

How to cook frozen spinach in the oven

If you want to use frozen spinach as a filling for baked goods, you will first need to defrost the product in a skillet with a little oil to get rid of the liquid. If leaves without blanching are used, then they should first be defrosted and then boiled.

What can be made from frozen spinach

There are many recipes for making frozen spinach. In addition to the chefs themselves, the hostesses began to develop various delicious dishes in the kitchen, adding a healthy product.

Smoothie

An excellent vitamin drink with a fermented milk product.

Composition:

kefir - 250 ml;
spinach (frozen) - 50 g;
Himalayan salt, red pepper, dried garlic - 1 pinch each;
fresh parsley, purple basil - 1 sprig each;
dried parsley - 2 pinches.

Cooking step by step:

Get the frozen product cube in advance and keep it at room temperature.
When it is soft, add spices and chopped herbs.
Mix with a blender.

Pour into a glass and drink between meals or instead of dinner.

Baked cod with sun-dried tomatoes

In this case, vegetables next to the fish in the form will replace the side dish.

Product set:

cod fillet - 400 g;
frozen spinach - 400 g;
Sun-dried tomatoes - 30 g;
lemon juice - 1 tbsp. l .;
parmesan - 30 g;
olive oil - 3 tbsp l .;
garlic - 3 cloves;
dried rosemary - 1 sprig.

All stages of preparation:

Rinse the fish fillets, dry with napkins and cut into portions.
Add freshly squeezed lemon juice, your favorite spices and table salt.
Coat a little with olive oil and fry in a grill pan for no more than 1 minute on each side.
Crush the garlic, fry in oil and discard. Put spinach in a fragrant composition, salt and simmer for about 5 minutes.
Soak sun-dried tomatoes in warm water for a quarter of an hour. Drain the liquid and chop the tomatoes into cubes. Add to stew.
Prepare a baking dish by greasing it with olive oil. Put the vegetable mixture, sprinkle with half of the grated cheese.
On top there will be fish pieces, pour a little oil and cover with the rest of the chopped parmesan.
Bake at 180 degrees for only 10 minutes.

This dish can be served hot or cold.

Stuffed mushrooms

A simple but very healthy snack dish.

Ingredients:

frozen spinach leaves - 150 g;
fresh champignons - 500 g;
garlic - 2 cloves;
olive oil - 30 ml.

Cook in the following way:

Wash the mushrooms, remove damaged areas and dry.
Cut off the legs, chop and fry with the defrosted leaves.
Before spreading the filling, grease the caps inside and outside with garlic oil.
Bake in a hot oven for 20 minutes.

Serve sprinkled with herbs.

Lazy dumplings

Prepare:

frozen spinach in cubes - 4 pcs.;
cream - 4 tbsp. l .;
cottage cheese - 400 g;
egg - 2 pcs.;
flour - 6 tbsp. l.

All stages of preparation:

Grind the curd product with flour, salt and 1 egg. The mass should be homogeneous.
Place the spinach cubes with a little water in a ceramic bowl. Place in the microwave to defrost.
Squeeze out the juice and puree with cream.
Divide the rested dough into 2 equal parts.
Stir in the green mass in one piece and make a sausage.
Put it on another piece, rolled out and greased with protein. Twist.
Soak in the freezer for about 20 minutes to cut easier.
Cook like regular dumplings.

Arrange on plates with butter and chopped herbs.

Spicy chicken with spinach

You can boil rice for this aromatic dish as a side dish.

A set of products:

chicken breast - 500 g;
slices of tomatoes - ½ tbsp.;
frozen spinach in a package - 400 g;
onion - 1 pc.;
cream - 120 ml:
garlic - 3 cloves;
fresh ginger, ground cumin, coriander - 1 tbsp each l .;
paprika, turmeric - ½ tsp;
vegetable oil - 2 tbsp. l .;
hot pepper - 2 pcs.;
water - 1.5 tbsp.

Step by step guide:

Saute chopped onions in vegetable oil until soft.
Add chopped garlic and ginger, fry for a couple of minutes.
Mix with coriander, cumin, paprika, 1 tsp. salt and turmeric. Leave on fire for a minute.
Chop peeled hot peppers, canned tomatoes, cinnamon, cream and water.
Add spinach defrosted and wrung out.
Simmer the sauce, covered, for about 5 minutes.
Cut the fillet into large pieces and transfer to the sauce, salt (1/2 tsp).
Cover and cook until tender.

The cinnamon stick is best removed before serving.

Frozen spinach diet meals

Spinach is very popular with people who look after their health and shape. A wonderful selection of recipes is presented.

Spinach Bean Soup

A light first course that will fill you with energy.

Composition:

frozen spinach leaves - 200 g;
large carrots - 2 pcs.;
medium-sized tomatoes - 3 pcs.;
celery root - 200 g;
celery stalk - 1 pc .;
raw beans - 1 tbsp.;
olive oil - 1 tbsp l .;
onion - 2 pcs.;
garlic - 1 clove.

Advice! The beans will need to be boiled separately. Therefore, it is better to soak it overnight so that it cooks faster.

Algorithm of actions:

Prepare 1 onion, 1 carrot and 100 g of celery. Place in a saucepan, cover with water and boil the vegetable broth. Pull out the products, they will no longer be needed.
Cook beans separately.
Place a large deep frying pan on the stove and heat with oil.
Saute the onion until transparent.
Add chopped celery and carrots.
Pour in the broth, put chopped garlic with dill and tomatoes, which had been peeled in advance, sprinkled with boiling water, mashed in mashed potatoes.
Darken for a quarter of an hour under the lid.
Add beans and chopped vegetable leaves.

The soup will be ready in 10 minutes.

Mushroom soup with spinach

Composition:

spinach (frozen) - 200 g;
champignons - 300 g;
water - 1 l;
butter - 60 g;
potatoes - 300 g;
onions - 3 pcs.;
garlic - 4 cloves.

Step by step cooking:

Wash the potatoes, peel and cut into large cubes. Boil with garlic and 1 onion. Throw out the last after readiness.
Heat a large saucepan, melt the butter.
Fry chopped onions and mushrooms. Finally, add the frozen cubes of blanched spinach and cook until cooked, remembering to add the spices and salt.
Add boiled potatoes and use a blender to bring almost to a uniform state.
Pour the water left over after cooking the potatoes.
Mix.

Infuse for about 10 minutes and serve with herbs.

Light Creamy Frozen Spinach Garnish

The recipe for stewed spinach with cream is very simple and perfect for a light snack.

Ingredients:

frozen spinach - 0.5 kg;
sugar - 1 tsp;
cream (low-fat) - 3 tbsp. l.

For gravy:

flour - 2 tbsp. l .;
milk - 1 tbsp.;
butter - 2 tbsp. l.

Detailed recipe:

Thaw spinach leaves (not blanched), boil and chop with a blender.
Fry the flour in a dry frying pan, pour in the milk in portions to make it easier to mix, keep on low heat until the sauce thickens.
Add vegetable puree, salt, cream, granulated sugar and spices.

When the mixture boils, set aside and cover. After 5 minutes you can start your meal.

Pasta in a creamy spinach sauce

A hearty dinner that will not harm your health in small quantities.

Ingredients:

onions - 3 pcs.;
frozen semi-finished spinach - 400 g;
butter - 30 g;
cream - 200 ml;
pasta - 250 g.

Detailed description:

Put a bag of frozen green vegetables and leave at room temperature.
Saute the onions in a skillet with melted butter.
Add spinach and fry until tender.
Pour in the cream and leave on the fire after boiling for a few minutes. Season with salt, you can add pepper, fresh herbs and nutmeg.
Boil the pasta separately.

Mix pasta with sauce before serving.

Frozen spinach casserole with potatoes and chicken

Product set:

potatoes - 500 g;
carrots - 100 g;
chicken breast - 300 g;
frozen spinach cubes - 200 g;
eggs - 3 pcs.;
butter - 40 g.

All steps for making a frozen vegetable casserole:

Peel and boil the potatoes with carrots. Make vegetable puree with eggs, salt.
Heat the frozen spinach in a skillet under the lid, evaporate the moisture.
Mix with chicken twisted in a meat grinder.
Grease a baking dish with a piece of butter.
Put half of the mashed potatoes and flatten.
Apply the filling completely.
Cover with leftover puree.
Preheat oven to 180˚ and place casserole for 40 minutes.

Cut into portions and serve with sour cream.

Calorie content of frozen spinach

It should be borne in mind that the calorie content of the frozen product in this case will increase and amount to 34 kcal per 100 g.

Conclusion

Frozen spinach is the best option for storing a vegetable at home, especially since it's quite simple to do. It should be added to food to maintain the balance of nutrients in the body.