Spinach, basil, etc.

[Joyce]

I have often wondered when a recipe calls for one cup of fresh chopped spinach, or basil roughly how many oz. that is to buy? Also do you pack down when measuring the cup? Does anyone have any ideas? I am looking at several recipes from C/L, all of which call for the above, and am not quite sure how much to buy.

[lanie]

Hi Joyce - what I do - now this is just me - here we purchase Basil in a little package and I rinse/dry and pull off most of the leaves and cut them up if something calls for 1 cup - I just eyeball it - but spinach is another thing - remember a whole bag of the stuff probably only makes about 1 cup cooked down - I've probably been of no help but the basil thing works and spinach really do think a bag would yield a 'cooked' cup....

[Zinnia]

I hope this helps you out too! http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/smile.gif Zinnia

Spinach: 1 lb. fresh(16oz.)= 6 cups leaves =
1 & 3/4 cups cooked.
Herbs: 1 teaspoon dry = 3 teaspoons fresh

[Joyce]

Zinnia, your reply is exactly what I need. Poundage to cups raw to cooked gives me everything. Thanks so much.