Alessandros Secret Spinach Recipes

ALESSANDRO'S SECRET SPINACH

Steps:

• 1. In a small saucepan, bring the chicken broth to a boil and cook until reduced to 6 tablespoons. Set aside.
• 2. Remove the stems from the spinach and wash well in cold water. Bring 3 quarts of water to a boil in a large pot. Add 1 teaspoon salt. Add the spinach and stir until all the leaves have cooked, about 1 minute. Drain the spinach and cool. Once cooled, squeeze excess water from spinach.
• 3. In saute pan, over medium heat, saute the garlic in olive oil until golden brown. Add the red pepper flakes, spinach and reduced chicken broth. Stir and cook about 2 minutes or until heated. Season to taste. Serve hot.

SPINACH-AND-CILANTRO SOUP WITH TAHINI AND LEMON

Steps:

• First, make the sauce: Combine tahini, lemon juice, garlic, salt, cumin and red-pepper flakes with 2 tablespoons water in a medium bowl. Whisk until smooth, adding more water as needed to achieve a drizzle-able consistency, and set aside.
• Next, make the soup: Add stock to a Dutch oven or heavy pot, and bring to a boil over high heat. Stir in spinach, cilantro, tahini and salt, and return to a boil. Turn off heat, and stir in lemon juice.
• Use an immersion blender to purée soup. Taste, and adjust seasoning with more salt and lemon, if desired.
• Serve soup immediately, and drizzle with tahini sauce. Cover and refrigerate remaining soup and sauce for up to 1 week, or freeze soup for up to 1 month.

SPINACH AND APPLE SALAD WITH CRISPY ALMONDS

Steps:

• Combine onion, cider vinegar, white wine vinegar, sesame seeds and paprika in small bowl. Mix in 2 tablespoons sugar. Gradually whisk in olive oil. Season dressing to taste with salt and pepper.
• Melt butter in heavy large skillet over medium heat. Add almonds. Stir until almonds begin to color, about 2 minutes. Sprinkle remaining 1 tablespoon sugar over. Stir until sugar melts and begins to turn golden, about 2 minutes longer. Transfer almonds to bowl and cool. (Dressing and almonds can be prepared 4 hours ahead. Cover separately and let stand at room temperature.)
• Combine spinach and apples in large bowl. Toss with enough dressing to coat. Mix in almonds. Serve salad, passing any remaining dressing separately.