This delightful dish combines the earthy flavors of spinach with the sweet and nutty notes of raisins and pine nuts. It's a quick and nutritious side that pairs well with a variety of main courses. The simplicity of the ingredients allows the natural flavors to shine, making it a perfect addition to any meal.
While most of the ingredients in this recipe are common, you might need to pay special attention to pine nuts and raisins. Pine nuts can be found in the nuts or baking section of your supermarket, often in small bags or containers. Raisins are typically located in the dried fruit section. Make sure to get fresh spinach, which is usually available in the produce section.

Ingredients For Spinach With Pine Nuts & Raisins (Sautéed)
Olive oil: Used for sautéing, it adds a rich flavor and helps cook the garlic and spinach evenly.
Garlic: Sliced thinly, it provides a robust and aromatic base for the dish.
Spinach: Fresh and washed, it wilts down to a tender texture, absorbing the flavors of the other ingredients.
Pine nuts: Toasted to bring out their nutty flavor, they add a delightful crunch to the dish.
Raisins: These add a touch of sweetness that complements the savory elements.
Salt: Enhances the overall flavor of the dish.
Black pepper: Freshly ground, it adds a subtle heat and depth.
Technique Tip for This Recipe
When sautéing garlic, make sure to keep a close eye on it as it can quickly go from golden brown to burnt. Burnt garlic can impart a bitter taste to your dish. To avoid this, you can lower the heat slightly once the garlic starts to turn golden. Additionally, when adding the spinach, do so in batches if necessary to ensure even cooking. Spinach wilts down significantly, so don't be alarmed if it seems like a lot at first. Finally, toasting the pine nuts beforehand enhances their flavor and adds a delightful crunch to the dish.
Suggested Side Dishes
Alternative Ingredients
olive oil - Substitute with avocado oil: Avocado oil has a similar smoke point and neutral flavor, making it a good alternative for sautéing.
garlic - Substitute with shallots: Shallots provide a mild, slightly sweet flavor that complements the dish well, similar to garlic.
spinach - Substitute with kale: Kale has a similar texture and nutritional profile, and it holds up well when sautéed.
toasted pine nuts - Substitute with toasted almonds: Toasted almonds offer a similar crunch and nutty flavor, making them a good replacement for pine nuts.
raisins - Substitute with dried cranberries: Dried cranberries provide a similar sweetness and chewy texture, adding a slight tartness that complements the dish.
salt - Substitute with soy sauce: Soy sauce adds a salty flavor along with a bit of umami, enhancing the overall taste of the dish.
freshly ground black pepper - Substitute with white pepper: White pepper offers a similar heat and flavor profile, with a slightly different aroma that can add a unique twist to the dish.
Other Alternative Recipes Similar to This Dish
How to Store or Freeze This Dish
- Allow the spinach dish to cool completely before storing. This helps prevent condensation, which can make the dish soggy.
- Transfer the cooled spinach with pine nuts and raisins to an airtight container. Ensure the container is sealed tightly to maintain freshness.
- Store the container in the refrigerator. The dish will stay fresh for up to 3 days.
- For longer storage, consider freezing. Place the spinach dish in a freezer-safe container or a resealable plastic bag. Remove as much air as possible before sealing.
- Label the container or bag with the date to keep track of its freshness.
- When ready to enjoy, thaw the spinach dish in the refrigerator overnight.
- Reheat gently in a skillet over medium heat, adding a splash of olive oil if needed to restore moisture.
- Avoid microwaving, as it can make the spinach and pine nuts lose their texture and flavor.
- If you notice any off smells or changes in texture after storing, it's best to discard the dish to ensure safety.
How to Reheat Leftovers
Stovetop Method:
- Heat a skillet over medium heat.
- Add a small amount of olive oil or butter to the pan.
- Once the oil is hot, add the leftover spinach mixture.
- Stir occasionally until heated through, about 3-5 minutes.
- Ensure the pine nuts and raisins are evenly distributed and warm.
Microwave Method:
- Place the leftover spinach mixture in a microwave-safe dish.
- Cover the dish with a microwave-safe lid or plastic wrap.
- Microwave on high for 1-2 minutes.
- Stir halfway through to ensure even heating.
- Check if the dish is heated through; if not, continue in 30-second intervals.
Oven Method:
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Place the leftover spinach mixture in an oven-safe dish.
- Cover the dish with aluminum foil to prevent drying out.
- Bake for about 10-15 minutes, or until heated through.
- Stir halfway through the reheating process to ensure even warming.
Steaming Method:
- Place the leftover spinach mixture in a heatproof bowl.
- Set up a steamer basket over a pot of simmering water.
- Place the bowl in the steamer basket.
- Cover and steam for about 5-7 minutes, or until heated through.
- Stir occasionally to ensure even heating.
Sous Vide Method:
- Place the leftover spinach mixture in a vacuum-sealed bag or a ziplock bag using the water displacement method.
- Set your sous vide machine to 140°F (60°C).
- Submerge the bag in the water bath and heat for about 20-30 minutes.
- Remove from the bag and serve immediately.
Best Tools for This Recipe
Large skillet: A broad, flat-bottomed pan used for sautéing the garlic and cooking the spinach evenly.
Wooden spoon: Ideal for stirring the garlic, spinach, pine nuts, and raisins without scratching the skillet.
Measuring spoons: Used to measure the olive oil accurately.
Garlic slicer: Handy for slicing the garlic cloves thinly and uniformly.
Colander: Useful for draining the washed spinach thoroughly before cooking.
Spatula: Helps in mixing and folding the spinach with the pine nuts and raisins.
Serving dish: A plate or bowl to serve the finished sautéed spinach dish immediately.
Salt grinder: For freshly grinding salt to taste.
Pepper mill: For freshly grinding black pepper to taste.
How to Save Time on Making This Dish
Pre-wash spinach: Buy pre-washed spinach to save time on cleaning and draining.
Use pre-sliced garlic: Opt for pre-sliced or minced garlic available in stores to cut down on prep time.
Toast pine nuts in advance: Toast pine nuts in bulk and store them in an airtight container for quick use.
Microwave raisins: Soften raisins quickly by microwaving them in a bowl of water for 30 seconds before adding to the dish.
One-pan cooking: Use a large skillet to cook everything together, minimizing cleanup time.

Spinach with Pine Nuts & Raisins (Sautéed)
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 2 tablespoon Olive Oil
- 3 cloves Garlic sliced
- 500 g Spinach washed and drained
- ¼ cup Pine Nuts toasted
- ¼ cup Raisins
- to taste Salt
- to taste Black Pepper freshly ground
Instructions
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
- Add sliced garlic and sauté until golden brown.
- Add spinach and cook until wilted, about 3-4 minutes.
- Stir in pine nuts and raisins. Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste.
- Serve immediately.
Nutritional Value
Keywords
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