Savvy shopping: Why frozen spinach is the best bargain for healthy eating

What’s the best bargain in the frozen foods aisle? Want to guess, or shall I just tell you? OK, I’ll tell you.

It’s frozen spinach in the little 10-ounce box. Ta-da!

Spinach makes me think of Popeye the Sailor Man. Every time he found himself in a perilous situation, he’d rip the top off a can of spinach, chug it down and beat up the bad guys with his bulging forearms.

The spinach was magical, like it was … a superfood.

Now, we all know dark leafy greens actually are superfoods, and spinach is one of the most nutrient-dense of all foods.

It’s a great source of iron and other minerals, cancer-fighting antioxidants and vitamins A and K, which are important to bone health.

It’s good to note that cooking spinach increases access to nutrients. We should be eating more of this, right?

However, have you ever sauteed a huge mound of fresh spinach only to watch it wilt down to nothing?

The major benefit of buying frozen spinach is having someone else do the wilting first, then pass the savings on to you.

Let’s do a price comparison between fresh and frozen spinach, shall we? One pound, or 16 ounces, of fresh spinach cooks down to 1 1/4 cups drained, which is equal to one 10-ounce frozen package.

One 8-ounce bag of fresh spinach costs between £3 and £6 and a 10-ounce box of frozen spinach costs between £1 and £2.

Here’s the deal: It’ll take two 8-ounce bags of fresh spinach to equal 10 ounces frozen.

That’s £6 to £12 fresh compared to £1 to £2 frozen. So, it’s definitely cheaper to buy frozen, and that’s a big bang for your buck.

But frozen spinach isn’t just a great bargain, it’s also incredibly versatile. You can use it in pretty much any recipe that calls for cooked fresh spinach.

Just don’t go tossing it in your salad.

That’s just weird.

Instead, try dumping a box into your next soup or stew, add some to smoothies, into casseroles, hide some in meatloaf or burgers, add some to your favorite pasta dish, or use it as a topping for your morning eggs.

And if you’re in the mood for a delicious protein-filled dish to sneak some extra greens into your diet, you’ll love this recipe for crustless Easy Cheesy Spinach Pie.

So, next time you’re browsing the frozen food aisle, remember: For a superfood that won’t break the bank, go for the spinach.

It’s not just for Popeye anymore!

Easy Cheesy Spinach Pie

Servings: 6 pieces

Ingredients

1 box (10 ounce) frozen chopped spinach, thawed, drained

4 eggs

1 container (16 ounce) cottage cheese

2 cups mozzarella or Italian blend cheese, shredded

1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, grated

1 teaspoon Italian seasoning

1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg

Optional ingredients: 1/2 cup chopped onion, 1/2 cup chopped red peppers, 1/2 cup sliced mushrooms

Ingredients

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease a 9-inch pie plate or spray with cooking spray. Defrost spinach and squeeze dry by wringing in a clean kitchen towel, then set aside.

In a mixing bowl, beat the eggs then add all the remaining ingredients, mixing until blended.

Pour the mixture into the prepared pie plate and bake for 40 minutes or until the center is set.

If you want to dirty a skillet, you could saute and add any, or all, of the following optional ingredients: 1/2 cup chopped onion, 1/2 cup chopped red peppers, or 1/2 cup sliced mushrooms.

Tags:

butterfly-twists listed on couponmatrix.ukelf-cosmetics listed on couponmatrix.ukfrom-the-box-office listed on couponmatrix.ukslurp listed on couponmatrix.ukvictorias-secret listed on couponmatrix.uk999inks listed on couponmatrix.uk
butterfly-twists listed on couponmatrix.ukGet shoes that look great, but fit your busy and active lifestyle when you shop with Butterfly Twists. They specialise in flat shoes, that let you keep going all day, and night. Fashion shouldn’t compromise comfort, and with Butterfly Twists you feel good every time you step outside. Shop with your Butterfly Twists discount code and you can get all sorts of styles for less. Don’t let heels get you down, discover shoes that keep up with you, no matter what the day holds.
elf-cosmetics listed on couponmatrix.ukElf Cosmetics was created with the philosophy in mind that all beauty comes from within, and by using the perfect cosmetics, you can help to capture the true essence of who you are - on the inside and the outside. So why not indulge in quality ingredients for less with an elf discount code, and take your beauty regime to the next level. Designed to give you more confidence in yourself and in your look, you can let your beauty shine with Elf.
from-the-box-office listed on couponmatrix.ukBook official theatre tickets for shows in London's West End with From the Box Office and sit back for an adventure of a lifetime. From musicals and plays to operas and dance, there's a show to suit every taste, so snap up a From the Box Office discount code and treat yourself to a evening at the theatre for less. Watch classic productions like Les Miserable and The Phantom of the Opera, or opt for the latest tribute performances, starring some of the world's leading actors and singers. Whatever you choose, you're sure to make treasured memories for years to come.
slurp listed on couponmatrix.ukSometimes there’s nothing like a good glass to take the edge off a hard week, which is why we always recommend Slurp for those tempted by a tipple. Sourcing only the finest wines along with spirits, beers and fizz, you can enjoy savings on whatever drink gets you thirsty with a Slurp discount code from Groupon. It’s the small pleasures that make life worth living, so give yourself a break and enjoy a glass of the good stuff with Slurp.
victorias-secret listed on couponmatrix.ukFollow in the footsteps of the beautiful Victora’s Secret supermodels, and revamp your look with luxurious lingerie that will boost your sass factor up to 10. Snap up a Victoria Secret discount code from us to stock up on delicate thongs, stylish bras, sensual nightwear, and more - you could dress like the A-list without blowing your budget. From Victoria’s Secret pink to understated navy, you’ll find colours to suit every taste and mood in this world famous collection.
999inks listed on couponmatrix.uk999inks.co.uk is the UK's leading online retailer for printer ink cartridges and toners. They offer a wide range of products from major brands like HP, Canon, Epson and Brother, as well as compatible and remanufactured cartridges. With a wide range of products from ink and toner cartridges to stationery and paper, you can get all you need from 999inks.co.uk! And with our 999inks.co.uk coupon code, you can save even more on your purchase!