Spinach question

[Cindy]

Is there a way to ensure that fresh spinach won't taste bitter? I'm having friends over for dinner and was thinking of making sauteed spinach as the side dish (with tofu stuffed shells as the entree), but I'm hesitating because sometimes spinach ends up tasting somewhat bitter. Any suggestions? Thanks.

[Gail]

Spinach = bitter? See, I love it so much I never noticed. Wow.
And, I must be a glutton for punishment. Used to actually eat it with vinegar. (stop eewing.)

According to Epicurious, "...Popeye's addiction to this "power-packed" vegetable comes from the fact that it's a rich source of iron as well as of vitamins A and C. But because spinach contains OXALIC ACID — which inhibits the body's absorption of calcium and iron — the truth is that its nutritional value is somewhat diminished. It's this same oxalic acid that gives spinach its slightly bitter taste, which is prized by some while others find it off-putting..." Maybe your guests will be of the Popeye variety. I know I am. And it seems to me that spinach would be a great accompaniment to the dish you're serving.

For what it's worth, spinach loves garlic-- not that it's going to make it any less bitter, you understand. My Food Lover's Tiptionary also mentions for fullest flavor that you only want to sauté until it starts to go limp. And it also indicates-- though you can't prove it by me, since I'm a garlic fiend, that fresh nutmeg does wonderful things for spinach. Wegman's suggests that you "Sauté oil and garlic in a large skillet. Add rinsed, dried spinach leaves. Cover and cook on very low heat just until the leaves wilt." Personally I would kill for a taste of that.

If all else fails, simply ask your friends if they like spinach.

[SusanL]

we have wilted spinach twice a week. I serve my entree on top of it just as Gail posted without the nutmeg~ sorry!
BUT I would ask my friends if they like spinach, as many of mine don't!! But I still like them ;)

[MKSquared]

Just watch your spinach, so that you don't overcook it. I find that when I've left it in the pan for too long, it takes on a bitter flavor. Also, if you've tossed garlic in the pan, garlic gets bitter when it's burnt. Those are my only ideas ... good luck! (Tofu and spinach -- I'd love to have friends like yours who'll try almost anything. IF I mention tofu, most of my friends sneer!)

[Cindy]

These particular friends are into healthy eating, so they're not intimidated by tofu. Some of my other friends, well...that would be a different story! I'm amazed at how the tofu tastes just like cheese when it's cloaked in a recipe like stuffed shells -- which is great because DH has a cheese intolerance. Funny thing is, when we had our "fat-loving" friends over for dinner, I used soy cheese in a broccoli casserole but didn't tell them. They raved about it - but if I they had known ahead of time, they never would have even tried it! Thanks for your thoughts and suggestions -- I think I'll go with the garlic saute; if they don't like it, I'll eat it! :D