Cooking With Frozen Spinach: Answers to Your Questions

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Discussion Overview

This thread explores various experiences and opinions regarding the use of frozen spinach in cooking, particularly its effectiveness and techniques for handling it. Participants share their personal experiences with using frozen spinach in different recipes and methods for draining excess moisture.

Discussion Character

  • Anecdotal
  • Opinion-based

Main Points Raised

  • One participant mentions a customer's inquiry about whether frozen spinach would seep through holes in a colander.
  • Another participant expresses interest in the topic, indicating they also want to learn more.
  • One participant, identifying as a consultant, shares that the smaller basket works well with thawed frozen spinach, referencing a Greek Torta demo.
  • Another participant agrees, stating they have had similar success with the smaller basket.
  • One participant notes they frequently use frozen spinach and other vegetables in their cooking, particularly for spinning out blanched produce.
  • One participant mentions hearing that lining the basket with paper towels might help prevent food from spilling, although they have not tried it themselves.
  • Several users mention that frozen spinach is effective for draining macaroni, with some noting that a few pieces may pop through the holes but it does not significantly affect the process.
  • One participant expresses concern about pouring boiling water into a colander, sharing their nervousness about the draining process.
  • Another participant enthusiastically agrees that frozen spinach works great and shares their positive experience with it in a Greek Torta.
  • One participant highlights the usefulness of a salad spinner for making spinach dip and emphasizes its effectiveness in removing moisture from thawed spinach.
  • Another participant shares a tip for drying spinach using a kitchen towel if a salad spinner is not available.
  • One participant mentions the benefits of the salad spinner for those on a Renal/Dialysis diet, noting its utility for preparing certain vegetables.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Views differ on the necessity of using paper towels when draining frozen spinach, with some participants advocating for their use while others do not find it necessary. Overall, there is no clear consensus on the best method for handling frozen spinach.

Contextual Notes

Participants share personal cooking experiences and preferences regarding frozen spinach, focusing on practical techniques and outcomes in their culinary practices.

Who May Find This Useful

This discussion may be of interest to Pampered Chef consultants and home cooks looking for insights on using frozen spinach effectively in their recipes.

dragonflyz
Messages
113
Has anyone tried frozen spinach? I had a customer ask me the other day...not sure if it would 'seep' through the holes or not...
 
That's a good question. I would be interested in finding out also.
 
The smaller basket works just great with (thawed) frozen spinach - used it for a Greek Torta demo once! :)
 
erin.tpc said:
The smaller basket works just great with (thawed) frozen spinach - used it for a Greek Torta demo once! :)

I do the same. Works great!
 
I use it all the time for this. I also put up alot of vegetables in the summer, and use this to spin out my blanched produce (broc, spinach, kale, etc).
 
I think I heard somewhere that you should line the basket with paper towels before doing frozen spinach, that way the food wouldn't go everywhere. I haven't tried it myself though.
 
It's also really great for draining macaroni when making macaroni salad. Some pop through the holes but not enough to deter from doing it.
 
Well ... when do ... stupid question ... is it safe to pour boiling water into the collander? I don't mind spinning the pasta in it but the actual draining part makes me nervous.
 
Frozen spinach works great!!! I agree!! No need for paper towels! It is great for the greek torta!
Nicole
 
pamperedmomto3 said:
It's also really great for draining macaroni when making macaroni salad. Some pop through the holes but not enough to deter from doing it.

Speaking of this, Feriale Yan shared with us that if you spin your pasta before making a salad it won't get all bloated up, etc. She also suggested you spin your potatoes before making potato salad.

Potato Salad... YUMMMMMMMMMM
 
Last edited:
I love Spinach dip, make it all the time, and the Salad Spinner is worth it's weight in gold for getting spinach juice out of frozen, thawed spinach (or should that be thawed frozen spinach?, LOL)
 
Nanisu said:
I love Spinach dip, make it all the time, and the Salad Spinner is worth it's weight in gold for getting spinach juice out of frozen, thawed spinach (or should that be thawed frozen spinach?, LOL)

Ok, so what's the tip for this?? I hate trying to squeeze the water out of spinach. Haven't made stuff shells in a long time because of this.
 
I used the frozen CHOPPED spinach and it wanted to come through the holes when I spun it. I ended up lining the colander with paper towels and it worked great!
 
PamperChefCarol said:
Ok, so what's the tip for this?? I hate trying to squeeze the water out of spinach. Haven't made stuff shells in a long time because of this.

If you don't have the salad spinner, throw your spinach into a clean kitchen towel, roll up, and wring it out like it's a wash cloth! That's how I normally dry my spinach....and it works great!
 
btw...if you know anyone on the Renal/Dialysis diet, the Spinner is a real plus! Some of the veggies on the Renal Diet are shredded or sliced, then soaked before cooking.
 

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use frozen spinach in place of fresh spinach in recipes?

Yes, you can use frozen spinach as a substitute for fresh spinach in most recipes. Just remember that frozen spinach is already cooked and has a higher water content, so you may need to adjust cooking times and drain excess moisture.

How do I prepare frozen spinach for cooking?

To prepare frozen spinach, first, thaw it by placing it in the refrigerator overnight or using the microwave. Once thawed, squeeze out excess water using a clean kitchen towel or a fine mesh strainer to avoid making your dish too watery.

What are some easy recipes that use frozen spinach?

Some easy recipes that incorporate frozen spinach include spinach and cheese stuffed shells, spinach dip, spinach quiche, and creamy spinach pasta. Frozen spinach can also be added to soups, stews, and casseroles for added nutrition.

How long can I store leftover cooked frozen spinach?

Leftover cooked frozen spinach can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-5 days. If you want to keep it longer, consider freezing it again, but be aware that the texture may change upon reheating.

Is frozen spinach as nutritious as fresh spinach?

Yes, frozen spinach retains most of its nutrients, and in some cases, it may even be more nutritious than fresh spinach, especially if the fresh spinach has been stored for a long time. The freezing process helps preserve vitamins and minerals effectively.

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