Best Sweet And Sour Catalan Spinach Recipes

ESPINACA A LA CATALAN (CATALAN-STYLE SPINACH)

Steps:

• *NOTE: Original recipe specified a golden delicious apple. However any apple variety that holds its shape well for baking will work in this recipe: Rome beauty, braeburn, gala, for example.
• Heat the olive oil in a large pan over a medium-high flame.
• When the oil is very hot, add the apple cubes and cook until they are lightly browned; about 1-2 minutes.
• Add the pine nuts and cook until they are lightly browned; about 20-30 seconds. Watch pan carefully as the pine nuts can burn quite easily! *Constantly stir the nuts to avoid burning.*.
• Add the raisins and the 1/2 teaspoon salt; stir together. Add the spinach and sauté very fast until it just starts to wilt; about another 20-30 seconds.
• Now remove the pan from the heat; the spinach will continue to wilt off the heat.
• Add salt to taste, and serve immediately.

SWEET-AND-SOUR CATALAN SPINACH

Steps:

• In a small saucepan, heat 2 teaspoons of the canola oil. Add the shallot and cook over low heat until softened, about 3 minutes. Add the vinegar and thyme sprig and bring to a boil. Simmer over low heat until the vinegar is reduced to 2 tablespoons, about 20 minutes. Discard the thyme sprig and stir the honey into the vinegar.
• In a small skillet, toast the pine nuts in the remaining 1 teaspoon of canola oil over moderate heat, stirring constantly, until golden, about 5 minutes. Transfer the pine nuts to a plate and let cool.
• Fill a soup pot with 1/2 inch of water and bring to a boil. Add the spinach in handfuls, stirring until wilted. When the spinach is wilted, transfer to a colander and squeeze out the excess water. Wipe out the pot.
• Heat the olive oil in the pot and add the spinach. Season with salt and pepper and cook, stirring, until heated through, about 5 minutes. Transfer the spinach to a platter and garnish with the currants and toasted pine nuts. Drizzle the sherry vinegar syrup on top and serve right away.