Spinach With Yoghurt Arab Style
A flavorful Arab-style spinach dish with creamy yogurt, aromatic cinnamon, and sautéed onions, perfect as a refreshing cold appetizer or side for any meal.
Ingredients
Instructions
- Clean, cook, and chop the spinach.
- Squeeze out excess moisture from the cooked spinach.
- Cook the chopped onion in ghee or butter for one minute.
- Add the cooked spinach to the onion and stir to combine.
- Warm the mixture through.
- In a bowl, mix the yogurt, chopped garlic, and cinnamon.
- Add the spinach and onion mixture to the yogurt mixture and stir well.
- Taste and adjust the seasoning with salt and pepper.
- Serve cold.
Tips & Substitutions
To enhance flavors, consider adding a pinch of nutmeg alongside the cinnamon. If you're short on ghee or butter, olive oil works as a good substitute for sautéing the onions. For a creamier texture, you can use Greek yogurt instead of regular yogurt. If fresh spinach is unavailable, frozen chopped spinach can be used; just ensure it's thoroughly drained.
Serving Suggestions
Serve this dish as a refreshing side alongside grilled meats or as part of a mezze platter with pita bread and olives. It pairs beautifully with Vegetarian recipes like stuffed peppers or roasted vegetables. Garnish with a sprinkle of paprika or fresh herbs for an added touch.
Storage & Reheating
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. When reheating, gently warm the mixture on the stovetop over low heat, stirring occasionally to prevent burning. This dish is best enjoyed cold, so feel free to serve it straight from the fridge if preferred.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Spinach With Yoghurt Arab Style contains roughly 270 calories, with 5g protein, 30g carbohydrates, and 15g fat. It is a good source of iron (11% of the Daily Value) and protein (10% of the Daily Value). Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 792mg per serving (34% of the Daily Value).
Estimated from ingredients & per-serving nutrition — verify against package labels for allergies or strict diets.
* % Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet (FDA 2020).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use fresh spinach instead of cooked?
Yes, you can use fresh spinach! Simply wash, cook, and chop it before following the recipe. Cooking fresh spinach will reduce its volume significantly, so you may need a larger quantity to yield 1 lb. of cooked spinach.
Is this dish suitable for meal prep?
Absolutely! This spinach with yogurt dish is great for meal prep. You can make it ahead of time, and it stores well in the fridge. Just keep the yogurt mixture separate until you're ready to serve for the best texture and flavor.
Can I make this dish dairy-free?
Yes, you can make this dish dairy-free by substituting yogurt with a non-dairy alternative, such as coconut yogurt or almond yogurt. Just ensure that your chosen substitute has a similar consistency to yogurt for the best results.
Nutrition is estimated from USDA FoodData Central ingredient data and may vary with brand, portion and preparation — see our methodology. This information is for general educational purposes only and is not medical or dietary advice (disclaimer).