Yay! A recipe post - it's been a LONG time since the last one, so I thought I'd come back with a BANG in the kitchen!
I don't know about you, but we are major hummus-addicts in this house. I think we end up eating about 4+cups of hummus per week. In sandwiches, as a dip, you name it, we schmear it. But I have to be honest that even I get tired of it sometimes, and plus it always leaves me hankering for a vegetable to get into our mouths (mostly the kiddo's).
Leave it to the Middle Eastern kitchen that created hummus to come up with another wonderful recipe! Spinach salad - don't be put off by the name, it's not a salad in the traditional sense that we think of in the West, but instead it's a dip just like hummus or baba ganoush. In many countries in the Middle East dips are called "salads" which leads to confusion when foreigners visit! But this one is a keeper, and is an easy way to get kids, or adults to eat their veggies. I love spinach, but you have to be careful, as it decalcifies the body (removes calcium) so it makes sense that traditionally it was always prepared with calcium-rich foods like tahina, yogurt, cheese, etc. This dish is a great balance that will get the veggies in, keep the calcium in the bones, and make the belly full!
Spinach & Yogurt Dip/Salad
2 onions, chopped
sprinkle of hot pepper flakes or one tiny chili
1 box of frozen spinach (or you can use fresh and cook it in the dish itself)
2 cloves fresh garlic, crushed
2 cups yogurt (you can use soy yogurt, but it won't be as sour tasting)
a big glug of extra virgin olive oil
salt and pepper to taste
*Heat oil in a pan and add onions and hot pepper, cooking until the onions are transluscent - about 10 minutes. Add spinach, salt and pepper to taste, cover and cook for 10 minutes, stirring often (this estimate may change depending on whether you use fresh or frozen spinach). Transfer the cooked greens to a food processor with the remaining ingredients and puree until smooth.
*Spread on bread, crackers, pitas, or anything you can get your hands on!
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