Sautéed Spinach with Ginger and Soy Sauce

Toasted sesame oil gives this simple spinach side dish some Asian flavor.

You cannot have enough recipes for simple spinach side dishes in your repertoire. This one has an Asian flair and features aromatic toasted sesame oil, which is low in saturated fat and has an appealing nutty flavor. You can also use frozen spinach for this recipe. In Step 1, substitute one package (10 ounces/300 grams) frozen spinach for fresh; cook according to package directions.

Preparation time: 10 minutes
Cooking time: 5 to 8 minutes
Serves 2

You Will Need
1 package (10 ounces/300 grams) fresh spinach (12 cups), stems trimmed, washed
1 tablespoon reduced-sodium soy sauce
2 teaspoons rice vinegar
1 teaspoon toasted sesame oil
1/4 teaspoon firmly packed brown sugar
2 teaspoons canola oil
1 garlic clove, minced
1 1/2 teaspoons minced fresh ginger
Dash of crushed red pepper
1 tablespoon sesame seeds, toasted

What to Do
1.With just the water clinging to the leaves after washing, cook the spinach in a large, wide pot over medium-high heat just until wilted, 3 to 5 minutes. Drain, refresh under cold running water, and press out excess moisture.

2. Mix the soy sauce, vinegar, sesame oil, and sugar in a small bowl. Heat the oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add the garlic, ginger, and red pepper. Stir-fry until fragrant but not browned, about 10 seconds. Add the spinach and cook, stirring often, until heated, through 2 to 3 minutes. Stir in the soy sauce mixture and toss to coat well. Sprinkle with the sesame seeds.

Tip
To toast sesame seeds, heat a small heavy skillet over medium-low heat. Add sesame seeds and stir constantly for 2 to 3 minutes or until light golden and fragrant. Transfer to a small bowl and let cool.

Per Serving (One serving is 3/4 cup)
119 calories
4 g protein
7 g carbohydrates
3 g fiber
10 g total fat, 2 g saturated fat
0 mg cholesterol
348 mg sodium

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