Green vegetables can be blanched in order to preserve their flavors.The color of your spinach can get dull if you don't blanche it.You can blanche it in the microwave or on the stove top and then transfer it to a bowl of ice water.You can use your blanched spinach in your favorite recipes or place it in the freezer.
Step 1: You can wash your leaves.
You can rinse off the leaves in the sink.If you want to remove the stems, do so at this time.Cut them off with a knife.
Step 2: The pot of water needs to be boiled.
Put the pot on the stove halfway with water.The water should be brought to a boil using a high heat setting.You can add salt to your water.This doesn't have to be done, but it helps season the spinach and helps it retain its nutrition.
Step 3: Place ice cubes and cold water in a large bowl.
When the water comes to a boil, fill a glass or plastic bowl with ice cubes.Ice cubes should be covered with cold water from your sink.Place your bowl next to the stove so you can easily transfer your food.
Step 4: If you want your spinach to turn bright green, boil it for about 40 seconds.
Place your food in the water when it's boiling.Use a spoon to get the water to boil.The timer should be set for 30 seconds after you drop in your food.When it turns green, the spinach is ready.It's a good idea to avoid over cooking your greens.It turns a darker shade of green if it is cooked too long.
Step 5: For up to 1 minute, submerge your spinach in the ice water.
If you want to dunk the spinach into the ice water, you need to scoop it up with a spoon.Remove it from the boiling water as soon as possible.Press down on the leaves with your spoon to make them completely submerged.The ice water stops the cooking process.
Step 6: To drain the water, place your spinach into a strainer.
You can place the leaves in a strainer after about 60 seconds.To remove excess water, gently push down on the spinach.You can pour the ice water into the strainer.Scoop out the ice from the strainer using a spoon or your fingers if you do this.
Step 7: Use your hands to squeeze out the water.
If you want to get rid of as much water as possible, you need to squeeze the leaves.This is for all of your greens.Your recipe can end up wet if you don't get rid of the excess water.
Step 8: Put your food in a bowl.
Material that won't catch fire or melt in the microwave is what makes a microwave-safe bowl.Use a glass, plastic, or ceramic container, and put at least 5 ounces of washed spinach inside.If you look at the bottom of your container, you can see if it's safe for the microwave.If you can use the microwave, most containers will readMicrowave-safe.
Step 9: Place your food in a container of water.
When you put your spinach in a container, make sure it's covered with water.
Step 10: You can cook your food in the microwave for 2 minutes.
Pick a high heat setting and place the container inside the microwave.After 2 minutes, put your food in the microwave.The container may be very hot, so use caution when removing it.
Step 11: If you want to stop it from cooking, place it in ice water.
As the spinach cooks, fill a bowl with ice and cover it in cold water.After you cook your spinach, dump it into the ice water.This will help preserve the bright green color of your fresh spinach as well as maximize its flavor and nutrition.
Step 12: To get rid of the water, pour your spinach into a strainer.
The contents of your container should be dumped into a strainer.Take out the water as you put it inside.If you squeeze the spinach while it is in the strainer, you can get rid of more water.
Step 13: If you want, you can use your spinach immediately.
It is ready to serve after you remove the excess water.If you want to make a delicious recipe with your spinach, eat it plain as a healthy side.When you blanche it, it will look smaller than it did before.A bag of greens turns into a ball.
Step 14: You can keep your spinach refrigerated for 3-4 days.
If you want to store it for a while, put it in a container.The spinach should be refrigerated for 3-4 days.
Step 15: It's best to freeze.
If you want to freeze it, place it in a freezer bag and squeeze out any air.Stick it in the freezer.Plan to use your food within a year.If you want to cook with your frozen spinach, simply remove it from the freezer and thaw it in the fridge for 1-2 hours.Vegetables blanched before they are frozen retain more of their nutrition.