Popeye's Secret Weapon

by Mark R. Vogel

Despite the aforementioned encumbrance to utilizing its calcium and iron, spinach has other nutritional benefits. It contains vitamins A, C, folic acid, magnesium and potassium.

Spinach is high in carotenoids, a group of substances espoused to fight cancer and perform other miracles. However, like carrots, the spinach must be cooked to optimize the absorption of the carotenoids.

My favorite way of enjoying spinach is simply to sauté it with garlic and olive oil. It's great for salads, soups, pasta sauces, dips, or flavoring a risotto.

For the latter, blanch the spinach in boiling water, wiz it in the blender and stir it into your risotto at or near the end of cooking.

Spinach is very high in water. One pound of spinach will reduce to one cup cooked.

CREAMY SPINACH SOUP

SPINACH ENCHILADAS WITH HOT PEPPER SAUCE