Warm Spinach Salad With Peppers and Cotija Cheese Recipe
🕒 Cook Time: 15 minutes
🕒 Prep Time: 20 minutes
🕒 Total Time: 35 minutes
Description:
Indulge in the delightful flavors of a warm spinach salad gently tossed with vibrant red and yellow peppers, topped with savory Cotija cheese. This recipe, cherished since its creation during a friendly gathering in Houston, has become a staple at dinner parties, earning rave reviews with each serving.
Ingredients:
- 1 bunch spinach
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 1 red pepper
- 1 yellow pepper
- 1/2 onion
- 1/4 cup crumbled Cotija cheese
Nutrition Facts (Per Serving):
- Calories: 377.9
- Fat: 33.5g
- Saturated Fat: 20.9g
- Cholesterol: 95.7mg
- Sodium: 606.2mg
- Carbohydrates: 12.1g
- Fiber: 3.3g
- Sugar: 4.3g
- Protein: 10.8g
Instructions:
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Prepare Ingredients: Start by cleaning the spinach, ensuring to remove most of the stems. Crumble the Cotija cheese with a fork and set it aside to be used as a garnish later. Dice the onion and peppers.
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Sauté Onion and Peppers: In a large pot, melt the butter over low heat. Add the diced onions, adjusting the stove temperature until they become soft and translucent. Incorporate the peppers and cook for a few minutes until they are soft around the edges but still retain a bit of crispiness.
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Sauté Spinach: Cook the spinach in the pot with the onion and pepper mixture, lightly sautéing it. A helpful tip from a friend is to sauté the spinach by taking a handful and swiping it around the pan. Depending on the quantity needed, you may need to repeat this process multiple times. To expedite the process, fill the pot one-third to one-half full with spinach, stir it a few times, then remove it immediately. The spinach should still be fluffy and just barely sautéed.
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Assemble Salad: Once all the spinach is sautéed, remove some onions and peppers with each batch of spinach. Add extra onions and peppers to the salad for added flavor and texture.
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Garnish: Just before serving, sprinkle the warm salad with the crumbled Cotija cheese.
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Serving: This recipe serves approximately 6 as a side dish, with some onions and peppers left over for the next day.
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Make Ahead: Prepare the dish ahead of time by sautéing the onions and peppers and setting them aside. Reheat them and add the spinach just before serving.
Recipe Notes:
- For those short on time, consider preparing the onions and peppers in advance to streamline the cooking process.
- Experiment with different cheese varieties for a unique twist on this classic salad.
- Serve alongside grilled chicken or fish for a complete and satisfying meal option.
Enjoy the warmth and freshness of this delightful spinach salad, perfect for any occasion!
