Spinach Pie

Since I’m a little older than most people, whenever I think of spinach, images of the cartoon Popeye the Sailor Man pop up in my mind. Often, he would resist eating spinach unless he absolutely had to, especially when he had to rescue his love, Olive Oil.

I too, when I was young, would refuse to eat spinach. I just didn’t like the taste. What I have discovered as I have gotten older is that when you combine spinach with other ingredients, you end up with something that tastes great while still reaping the benefits of this healthy food.

Why Spinach is a Superfood

Spinach is one of those vegetables we should always include in our diet. It is rich in vitamins and minerals, especially vitamins A, C, and K, as well as folate, iron, and magnesium. This leafy green is beneficial for your heart, bones, and eye health. Plus, it’s packed with antioxidants and is low in calories.

The Recipe: A Spinach Pie

The recipe I am giving you today is one I have experimented with for a couple of years. I finally found the perfect combination for a tasty, healthy meal. My goal, as always, is to create a recipe that not only tastes good but is also good for you.

This dish is definitely different from a traditional quiche recipe, which uses heavy cream as its base. Instead, I used eggs to hold the pie together. Some might be concerned about the number of eggs I use for this recipe because they have heard that the cholesterol in eggs is bad for you. That is not the case any longer. Tests have proven that ingested cholesterol does not significantly raise cholesterol levels in the blood. So, enjoy those eggs! They have been nicknamed ‘nutrient bombs’ because of how rich they are in nutrients.

Crust Ingredients

• 2 cups Bisquick baking mix

• 5 tablespoons melted butter

• 3 tablespoons cold water

  
  

Instructions for the Crust

1. Mix the ingredients in a large bowl with a spoon. Knead the dough and add either baking mix or water until the dough is neither sticky nor powdery.

2. Press the dough into a pie dish with your fingers until the entire pan is covered and evenly spread.

   
   

Bisquick has become a favorite of mine. It is easy to use without having to mix a whole bunch of ingredients together. It contains flour, cornstarch, and leavening to help make fluffy biscuits. On the downside, it does have a little sugar and vegetable oil, which I’m not a fan of, but the small quantity is not enough to worry too much about.

Butter, on the other hand, though saturated, is a healthier food than vegetable oils. In moderation, saturated fats are needed for one's health, just not too much.

In a bowl, mix the Bisquick with butter and add the prescribed water. Once mixed, try to separate the spoon from the dough. If it is too sticky, add a pinch of Bisquick until the dough is dry enough to separate from the spoon.

Afterwards, take the lump of dough in your hands and spread it out with your fingers until you cover the pie dish.

Pie Ingredients

• 2 cans leaf spinach, drained

• 7 eggs

• 2 tablespoons milk

• 3 tablespoons minced garlic

• Salt and pepper to taste

• 1 tablespoon hot pepper flakes

• 2 tablespoons ground coriander

• 2 tablespoons cumin

• ½ cup parmesan cheese

• 1 pound of ground turkey

• Cheddar cheese

  
  

Instructions for the Pie

1. Mix all ingredients together except the cheese.

2. Pour the mixture into the pie pan with the crust and bake at 375 degrees for 35 minutes.

3. Pull it out of the oven and spread a layer of cheddar cheese on top.

4. Place it back into the oven for 10 minutes.

5. Use a toothpick or fork to test the center. If it comes out dry, it’s done.

   
   

The first step in successfully making this pie is to properly drain the cans of spinach. I like using canned spinach because it is already in the wilted condition that I’m looking for. Place the canned spinach in a strainer and after a few minutes, use a large spoon to press down on the spinach until you get as much water out as possible.

I have tried a variety of meat combinations and seasoning blends. In the end, I found that ground turkey combined with ground coriander and cumin yields the most pleasing result.

After mixing all the ingredients and placing them in the pie crust, bake the pie at 375 degrees for 35 minutes. At that point, pull the pie out of the oven and sprinkle shredded cheddar cheese on top. Put it back in the oven for 5-10 more minutes.

Pull it out and stick a toothpick in the center. If it is dry, then the pie is done. If it seems a bit too moist, put it back into the oven for another 5 to 10 minutes.

Once done, let the pie cool. Once cool, slice it into 8 individual servings.

Nutritional Information

The nutrition of this recipe looks like this per serving:

• Calories: 359

• Total fat: 23.2g

• Saturated fat: 8.3g

• Total carbs: 18.1g

• Fiber: 1.2g

• Sugars: 0.8g

• Protein: 19.2g

  
  

This is a very healthy dish that I hope you will enjoy. Let me know if you have tried it.

Conclusion

Cooking can be a joyful experience, especially when you find recipes that resonate with you. This spinach pie is not just a meal; it’s a step towards a balanced and healthy lifestyle. So, gather your ingredients and give it a try. You might just rediscover your love for spinach!

And remember, every bite counts towards a healthier you. Enjoy!