What do I do with this green stuff?!?!

[lorilei]

I never have time to let my spinach defrost, so here's what I do:

Put spinach in collander and run hot water over it until thawed. Squeeze out excess water with my fingers (use paper towel if you want it ultra dry).

No big deal at all, and you can do it in less than 10 minutes.

[valeriek]

I do the same thing as Lorilei, but I use a fork to press the spinach down against the collander (did I spell that right?). I think your hand would work better though, so I'll try that the next time I cook with frozed spinach.

[This message has been edited by valeriek (edited 09-14-2000).]

[Carolyn]

Another variation: Defrost spinach in cardboard package or bowl in microwave. I just put it in the microwave on High for a minute and then keep checking it ever 30 seconds until it is OK to handle. (You may have to break the spinach up slightly with your hands or a fork while it is defrosting.) Then just squeeze it in your hands or put it in a strainer and press it hard with a big spoon. Your spinach is ready in about4 minutes and you don't have to run water if water is scarce in your area.

[SueK]

I actually use the paper towel method. I thaw it in the fridge, then drain it a bit in a colander. Then I put it on a plate, and press down with paper towels. Never tried the hand method, but I actually don't use too many paper towels doing it this way.

[Gwenniver]

This may sound like a stupid question (don't you love it when they start out like that), but...

When a recipe says to thaw, drain, and squeeze one of those frozen spinach packages, how do you actually do that? Do you put it in a colander and put a pot on top of it? Do you put it on a plate with paper towels?

Help me out, somebody who's done this before...

Jen (who unfortunately didn't get interested in cooking until *after* leaving her mother's house for college http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/redface.gif)

[MrsReber]

Jen, it's not a dumb question at all! I only did this for the first time myself when I made the spinach artichoke dip. I let it defrost and then I just squeezed the water out with my hands- pressed the spinach between my fingers (it was very cold). It seemed to work fine, though. I'm sure there's other methods out there, but my method was very quick.

I would think no papertowels for this! They'll only get wet and messy. You probably could put it in a colander with a plate over it and press down on the plate?


Susan



[This message has been edited by MrsReber (edited 09-14-2000).]

[JeanneW]

I've seen several people on TV food shows press the spinach between two plates. Use 2 plates the same size, spread the spinach on 1 plate and put the other plate on top. Standing over the sink press the two plates tightly together. This is supposed to work well, plus you don't have to get all the spinach goop off your hands.

[Susan]

I usually thaw fozen spinach in a colander, run hot water over it, and squeeze it dry with my hands and paper towels. When I made the spinach artichoke dip, instead of using paper towels (which I was out of) I put the thawed spinach in my salad spinner and it worked perfectly. I will do it this way from now on since it was so much easier and less messy.

~~Susan~~

[Mamasue]

I do the same thing as MrsReber, squeeze out all the water in my hands. I use my hands alot when I cook or bake. There is nothing like feeling the food....it must be the italian thing! Hehe! http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/biggrin.gif

[Gwenniver]

Thanks everybody! The last time I thought about using frozen spinach, I just sort of stuck it in a bowl and ended up throwing it away because I wasn't sure what to do with it. I appreciate the advice--and I'm going to print this thread...

Jen