Spinach Flan Recipe: A Delicious and Healthy Choice
Welcome to “Love With Recipes,” where we transform everyday dishes into culinary delights! Today, we are exploring a classic recipe from the Reader’s Digest Eat Better Live Better Healthy Eating Cookbook. This Spinach Flan is a delightful vegetable dish, perfect for family gatherings or a comforting meal at home. With its combination of fresh spinach, spring onions, and aromatic spices, this flan offers a burst of flavor in every bite. Let’s dive into this scrumptious recipe, which brings together the best of healthy eating and delicious taste.
Ingredients
For the Pastry Base:
- 175 grams of all-purpose flour
- A pinch of salt
- 75 grams of butter, cold and cut into small pieces
- About 2 tablespoons of cold water
For the Filling:
- 450 grams of fresh young spinach
- 1 spring onion, finely chopped
- 3 large eggs
- 285 milliliters of milk (semi-skimmed preferred)
- 5 grams of black pepper (or to taste)
- 1/2 teaspoon of grated nutmeg
- Salt to taste
Preparation Time: 30 minutes
Cooking Time: 1 hour
Total Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
Servings: 4
Nutritional Information (per serving):
- Calories: 274.4
- Fat: 22.1 grams
- Saturated Fat: 12.5 grams
- Cholesterol: 208.4 milligrams
- Sodium: 286.4 milligrams
- Carbohydrates: 10.9 grams
- Fiber: 3.6 grams
- Sugar: 2.5 grams
- Protein: 11 grams
Instructions
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Prepare the Pastry Base:
- Begin by sifting 175 grams of all-purpose flour and a pinch of salt into a large mixing bowl.
- Add 75 grams of cold butter, cut into small pieces, to the bowl. Using your fingertips, rub the butter into the flour until the mixture resembles fine breadcrumbs.
- Gradually sprinkle around 2 tablespoons of cold water over the mixture, stirring gently until a firm dough begins to form.
- Knead the dough lightly on a floured surface until smooth. Roll out the dough and use it to line an 8-inch pie dish or tart tin, pressing it into the edges.
- Place the lined dish in the refrigerator for about 10 minutes to chill. Preheat your oven to 190°C (375°F) while the dough chills.
- After chilling, bake the pastry base in the preheated oven for 15 minutes or until it turns light brown. For a crispier base, you can line the pastry with greaseproof paper and fill it with baking beans before baking. If you don’t have baking beans, simply bake as is. After 15 minutes, remove any paper and beans, then bake for an additional 5 minutes to dry out the base.
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Prepare the Filling:
- Wash 450 grams of fresh spinach thoroughly. Cook the spinach in its own moisture for about 8 minutes until wilted. Drain well, then chop the spinach coarsely.
- Slice and reserve 4-5 rings of bell pepper for garnish. Chop the remaining pepper after deseeding it, and cook the chopped pepper in boiling water for approximately 5 minutes. Drain and set aside.
- In a mixing bowl, beat together 3 large eggs and 285 milliliters of milk until well combined. Add the finely chopped spring onion, prepared spinach, cooked pepper, and a pinch of grated nutmeg. Season with salt and black pepper to taste.
- Spoon the filling mixture into the pre-baked pastry base, spreading it evenly.
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Bake the Flan:
- Place the filled flan back into the oven, preheated to 190°C (375°F), and bake for about 40 minutes or until the flan is set and golden brown on top.
- Once baked, garnish the flan with the reserved pepper slices.
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Serving Suggestions:
- This Spinach Flan can be enjoyed either hot or cold, making it a versatile dish for any occasion. It pairs wonderfully with a crisp salad or as a stand-alone treat.
Enjoy Your Spinach Flan!
This Spinach Flan is not just a feast for the eyes but also a nourishing and satisfying dish that highlights the freshness of young spinach. Perfect for family gatherings or as a delightful weeknight meal, it combines simplicity with elegance. We hope you enjoy making and savoring this recipe as much as we do!
For more delicious and healthy recipes, visit us at “Love With Recipes” and keep exploring new culinary adventures! 🌟🥗🍽️
