Elementary Chef

I’ve been a very bad blogger. The past couple of weeks have simply been very trying, and I have neglected you! No longer! I’m back with a vengeance — and at my corniest! In honor of turning over a leaf, I offer you a fabulous recipe for my very favorite leaf vegetable — SPINACH!

Spinach in Tomato Sauce with Shallots and Carrots

Serving Size : 4
Preparation Time 30 minutes

Amount Measure Ingredient — Preparation Method
——– ———— ——————————–
1 pound fresh spinach
1/4 cup olive oil
3 medium shallots — minced
2 small carrots — peeled and diced
2 cups canned whole tomatoes — drained, juice resrv
1 teaspoon salt
1/4 cup fresh basil — minced
1 pound pasta
parmesan cheese — freshly grated

Bring 4 quarts salted water to a boil in a large pot for cooking the =
pasta

Stem the spinach and wash the leaves in a large bowl of cold water, =
changing the water several times until no sand appears in the bottom =
of the bowl. Shake the excess water from the spinach and roughly dry =
the leaves with paper towels. (Leaves can be damp, but not =
waterlogged.) Set the spinach aside.

Heat the oil in a deep pot or Dutch oven with a cover. Add the =
shallots and carrots and saut=E9 over medium heat until the =
vegetables soften but do not brown, about 8 minutes.

While the shallots and carrots are cooking, coarsely chop the =
tomatoes. Add chopped tomatoes to the pot, along with 1/2 cup of =
their packing juice, the salt, and basil. Use the back of a spoon to =
break apart the tomatoes. Simmer gently, continuing to crush the =
tomatoes as necessary, until the sauce thickens, about 10 minutes.

Add the spinach to the pot, tossing several times to coat leaves with =
tomato sauce. Cover and continue cooking, removing the lid once to =
stir, until the spinach has wilted, about 5 minutes. Taste for salt =
and adjust seasonings if necessary.

While preparing the sauce, cook and drain the pasta. Toss the hot =
pasta with the spinach sauce. Mix well and transfer portions to warm =
pasta bowls. Serve immediately with grated cheese passed separately.

pasta, vegetarian, recipes, spinach