The Best Spinach Gratin Recipe Ever - Everyday Dishes (2024)

FAQs

Can you make ina garten spinach gratin ahead of time? ›

Make it a day ahead, cover, refrigerate and bake while the turkey is resting. Garten told me she keeps Thanksgiving as traditional as possible.

In contrast, loose spinach needs thorough washing in a colander to remove dirt and grit. Shake the excess water off (if you plan to stir-fry it or eat it raw in a salad, you should pat it dry with kitchen paper, too). Older spinach may have tough stems - cut these off.

Yes — but don't overdo it! Fresh spinach releases a lot of water as it cooks, which can result in a soggy lasagna. That's why you'll want to sauté the spinach until it just wilts, which prevents it from releasing too much liquid too quickly.

The science behind this pairing is simple yet profound. While spinach's oxalic acid may inhibit iron absorption, the addition of vitamin C from lemon juice helps convert iron to a more absorbable form, facilitating its uptake by the body.

However, the absorption of calcium from milk and other rich-in-calcium ingredients won't be impaired by spinach's oxalic acid, which is why pairing spinach with dairy products helps ensure you gain all the nutrients you need. Oxalate may also be produced by body or converted from vitamin C during its metabolism.

It doesn't get much easier than this. Throw the spinach in the pan with a little garlic and olive oil, add some salt and pepper, and cook it, but not very much! We've all been victims of overcooked spinach, all olive green, slimy, and yucky looking. This is not Popeye's canned spinach.

You can absolutely make these cheesy au gratin potatoes up to three days ahead of time! Simply pour the sauce over the potatoes as directed, then cover the pan with foil and instead of baking, place in the fridge until ready to bake.

These scalloped potatoes can be made ahead. You can assemble the dish and refrigerate for about 8 hours before baking, or you can bake it and refrigerate for about 24 hours before serving.

Storage Tips to Make Cooked Spinach Last Longer

Just transfer the cooked spinach to a freezer-safe container and place it in the freezer for 3 months. To use it, just take it out of the freezer and add it to soups, sauces, pasta salad, and other dishes you might add frozen or fresh spinach to.

This delicious super green spinach puree recipe can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 24hours and frozen up to 2 months. It's also perfect for creating healthy spinach veggie ice pops or a bright and healthy delicious pasta sauce!