Quick Rice and Lentil Soup with Poached Egg

A warm bowl of soup makes a satisfying breakfast or lunch dish. This one comes together quickly from pantry ingedients.

1/3 c long grain rice
1 T olive oil
2 T tomato paste
2-1/2 c water
2 T beef or vegetable stock concentrate
1 foil pack Madras lentils
1 t fish sauce (optional)
1/2 t sugar
1/4 t salt
2 oz frozen leaf spinach
1 large egg

Heat the oil in a two-quart saucepan, add the rice, stir and fry a few minutes until lightly colored. Stir in the water, tomato paste, stock concentrate, sugar, salt and fish sauce. Bring to a gentle boil for 10 minutes with occasional stirring. Mix in the lentils, cook for 5 minutes more, and then stir in the frozen spinach. When it's bubbling hot again, move off heat, crack in the egg, cover and wait 4 minutes while it poaches. Then, stir the egg into the soup. Serves 2 or 3 as a light breakfast or lunch. 

Creamed Spinach

Developed April, 2021. A simple side dish from pantry ingredients. Sour cream confers a subtle tang.

12 oz (350 g) frozen leaf spinach
1/2 c chopped onions
1 T olive oil
1/2 c sour cream
1/4 t ground nutmeg
salt and pepper, to taste

Thaw the spinach in a mesh strainer. With the back of a large spoon press out excess moisture until the spinach is dry. In a saucepan, heat the oil over medium, add the onion and salt lightly. Fry until softened and clear. Mix in the spinach and cook until heated through, about 5 minutes. Stir in the sour cream and the seasonings and warm through. Variation: Replace half the sour cream with cream cheese for a richer product. Serves two or three.

Sauteéd Spinach with Garlic

First made decades ago. This is a classic Mediterranean dish. Recorded January, 2021. A Family Favorite. Simple, fast, and easy. Only four ingredients.

1 large bunch of fresh spinach
2 T olive oil
4 cloves of garlic, thinly sliced
1/2 tsp salt

Rinse the spinach to remove any loose grit. Let drain in the sink. Heat the oil in a 12-inch skillet until very hot, add the garlic and salt, and almost immediately start adding the spinach. Use tongs to mix as you add in the spinach. When all has been added, keep moving with tongs. Cook until wilted and tender, about three minutes. Serves two. Makes a good side dish for rich meats, creamed dishes, fish.

Quick and Easy Bean and Spinach Soup

Developed April, 2017. Seasoned pinto beans serve as the basis of a hardy vegan soup ready in 30 minutes from pantry ingredients. Leftovers make a good breakfast.

1 14.5 oz can rancher style (charro) beans
2 T tomato paste
1 T olive oil 
16 oz chicken or vegetable stock
1/2 t ground cumin
1/2 t ground coriander
pinch of red pepper flakes
6 oz frozen or fresh leaf spinach
1 t salt
1 t sugar
lemon juice to taste

Heat the oil in a two-quart saucepan. Brown the tomato paste in the oil, add the spices, and cook a few seconds to bloom the flavor. Add the beans and the stock, and cook at a fast simmer over moderate heat with frequent stirring for 20 minutes. Mash the beans with a potato masher. Add the spinach, return to a simmer with stirring for another 8 minutes. Adjust seasoning. Serves 3 to 4. Pair with crusty bread or hot biscuits, for a complete meal. 

Quick and Easy Crab-Spinach Crêpe

Developed January, 2016. A dish for a special brunch that comes together quickly using commercial crab, spinach, and Hollandaise. The pancakes are a snap to make and can be kept for days in the refrigerator or months in the freezer.

100 g cooked crab meat
150 g frozen creamed spinach
4 crêpes
1 T butter
1/2 t Old Bay seasoning
2 T seafood or chicken stock
4 t prepared Hollandaise sauce (Trader Joe)

In a small skillet, melt the butter over medium-low heat. Add the Old Bay, and after 30 seconds, the crab and the stock. Warm through gently, and set aside in a bowl. Heat the spinach in the microwave. Place a crepe on a plate, arrange a quarter of the crab in the center, spoon on a quarter of the spinach, top with a teaspoon of Hollandaise sauce, and fold over by thirds. Present seam side down. Makes four crêpes.

Beef Ravioli in Broth with Spinach

First prepared January 17, 2007. Modified from a Rachel Ray recipe on foodtv.com.

2 c (1 large) white onion, sliced thinly through the poles
2 t minced garlic
2 T vegetable oil
25 oz package of frozen beef ravioli, prepared according to package directions
1 qt beef broth

8 oz fresh spinach, rinsed

pinch of grated nutmeg

In a large sauce pan, heat the oil, add the onions and a pinch of salt, and sauté until lightly browned. Add the garlic, and when fragrant, add the broth and nutmeg and heat for a few minutes. Add the drained and cooled ravioli and reheat thoroughly. Stir in the spinach, and cook for two minutes until wilted and cooked through. Do not overcook. Serves 3 or 4 for dinner. 

Variation 1: Substitute cheese, spinach, or seafood ravioli and use chicken, vegetable, or seafood stock.

Variation 2: Substitute bok choy or other tender greens and adjust cooking time as appropriate.