Recipe: O-Hitashi - Mini Spinach Towers

O-Hitashi is a traditional dish served in Japan. The term refers to any fresh vegetable that has been lightly boiled and made into a salad. This version is simple, yet elegant in its presentation, topped with toasted sesame seeds. Long leaf Japanese spinach works best, but you may use baby spinach.

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Recipe: Spinach and Tortellini Soup

Fresh green spinach is complemented by a light chicken stock and flavorful tortellini. This easy-to-prepare soup is a great starter for any meal but makes a terrific light dinner with a side of salad and a crusty loaf of Italian bread.

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The Indulgence - Spinach: An Unexpected Indulgence

We here at the Gilded Fork like a challenge. Of course, we could pick any number of foodstuffs that would have you salivating merely at their mention; but that would be too easy. So try to fight off any ill-fated childhood memories of being forced to choke down one more mouthful of you-know-what. Remember: The Gilded Fork is an adult magazine – that means check your childhood prejudices at the door. If you give us a few minutes of your time and rally your creative juices to try a few recipes, we give you our word that the finer delights of this misjudged vegetable will soon be revealed to you. After all, just because it’s good for you doesn’t mean you can’t love it. . .

When carefully selected and prepared, spinach’s fresh, crisp texture and slightly bitter taste are both refreshing and enticing. This leafy green provides the perfect backdrop for mixing textures, temperatures and flavors; it pairs equally well with sweet foods like strawberries in salads, and sharp cheeses such as feta in a mouth-watering spanakopita (a kind of Greek savory pie made from spinach and feta between layers of phyllo dough). Spinach inspires improvisation and creativity, and what more could we ask of any ingredient? (read more)


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Recipe: Spicy Artichoke Spinach Dip

Artichokes and spinach are perfectly paired with pepper jack cheese in this rich and spicy dip, which is Chef Lia’s spin on a classic party favorite. Serve it on top of your favorite crackers, crostini, breadsticks or even vegetable chips made from cucumbers, carrots and zucchini. Use your imagination to spice up your next cocktail party.

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