Spinach has a long history in European cuisine, dishes associated with it being referred to as ‘Florentine’ after a French queen in 1533. High in vitamins it can be enjoyed raw in salads or cooked, integrated into many dishes. Spinach should always be washed before using as it is notoriously gritty.
There are a number or ways in which to cook spinach. For a healthy option it can be quickly blanched in boiling salted water, and either refreshed in ice water or served straight away. The most common way to cook spinach is to gently wilt it in a pan with a little butter. Cream can also be added in this method for a much richer outcome.