It was recently while I was watching an Asian cooking show on the television that I realized, you can always find healthy meal options in other cuisines. That’s when I discovered the Turkish Spinach recipe, otherwise known as Ispanak Kavurma.Â
It’s a lot similar to our usual creamed spinach but with a little bit more depth and flavor.Â
Here’s my take on the Turkish spinach recipe or ispanak kavurma!
Turkish Spinach (Ispanak Kavurma) Recipe
Ingredients Â
- 17 oz fresh baby spinach, rinsed well
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 2 small tomatoes, pureed
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1/4 tsp freshly ground nutmeg
- 4 tbsp 4 tbsp beef or chicken broth
- Salt and black pepper to taste
For the sauce
- 1 clove garlic, peeled
- 1/2 cup plain yogurt (you can use low fat if preferred)
- Salt to taste
For the garnish
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1/2 tsp red chili powder (cayenne or paprika)
InstructionsÂ
- Wash and rinse the spinach
- In a pot, boil some water
- Once the water is boiling, add the spinach to it and cook for 3-4 minutes
- Pour into a colander to drain the excess water
- Press to remove as much excess water as you can, then transfer to a chopping board
- Chop the spinach
- In a skillet or pan, add the olive oil and let it heat
- Add the onions and cook until slightly brown
- Now add the pureed tomatoes, spinach, nutmeg, and the broth
- Mix to combine
- Now add the salt and pepper to taste
- Cook for about 5 minutes over medium heat
- Once cooked, turn off the stove
- Allow to cool down a little
To make the sauce
- Smash the garlic clove with a little bit of salt
- Combine with plain yogurt
- Set aside
To make the garnish
- In a pan, heat some olive oil
- Add the red pepper, turn the heat off and stir
- Be careful not to burn the mixture!
To serve
- Place the spinach mixture on a platter
- Add the yogurt sauce on top
- Drizzle the chili oil garnish on the yogurt
- Enjoy!Â
And that’s it! Spinach is a great food to incorporate into your meals! If not the mains, they make a pretty great side dish, like this one.
Sometimes things can get too monotonous in a healthy kitchen. I mean don’t get me wrong, I love our usual healthy dishes– salads, wraps and all that but sometimes it can get too boring.
Like you can only incorporate a certain vegetable into a salad or a western meal in so many ways, you eventually tire them out. The best way to go is to pair your dish with something else.Â
Things to Pair This Spinach With
This spinach tastes pretty good on its own but you can also pair it with a number of things to turn it into a full meal.Â
Try having it with some brown rice crackers or some Indian style brown rice. If you’re wondering whether or not brown rice is vegan, read our blog post about it.
If you want you can even pair this spinach as a side dish with a whole chicken or any beef meal you like
And there we go! We’re adding to your healthy dishes palette with healthy dishes from all around the world. We at yogi nutrition believe in making healthy food simpler and more appealing, so more people can get onto this lifestyle. If you have any questions about the recipe or about healthy dishes, feel free to drop a comment below!
Health Benefits Of Eating Spinach
There is a reason why we brag so much about spinach and its countless benefits!
- Spinach is rich in Vitamin K which helps in promoting the production of a protein called Osteocalcin. Osteocalcin is responsible for stabilizing calcium in the bones, making them stronger. In addition to vitamin K, spinach is also rich in calcium, vitamin D, dietary fiber, potassium, magnesium, and vitamin C, all of which are important nutrients that promote healthy bones.
- Spinach is also high in vitamin A which strengthens our skin and mucous membranes which helps them repel various kinds of external harmful agents like bacteria and viruses effectively. Vitamin A is also necessary for sebum production to keep hair nourished. It’s also important for vision. Deficiency of vitamin A can cause a condition called night-blindness
- Spinach is an energy-rich food that provides you with high levels of magnesium to generate energy to keep you going throughout the day! It’s also a great source of folate, an important nutrient that helps your digestive system turn food into usable energy.Â
I am a yogi with a smoldering passion for nutrition and healthy living. I have been a Nutrition and Lifestyle Coach for over 11 years and now I want to help you. My mission is to inspire as many people as I can to expand their awareness and broaden their horizons by giving a voice to the choices that create abundant, radiant health. Here I share deliciously simple plant-based recipes, nutrition resources, detox tips, and a glimpse into my whole lifestyle.
