Spinach Brownies Recipe

Photo: Uncut Recipes

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Think you know brownies? Wait until you try our unique twist on this classic favorite. We're bringing together the comforting joy of a brownie and the vibrant goodness of spinach in a delectable fusion recipe that's perfect for any time of the day.

Let's travel back to the '60s, when Dr. Seuss published his iconic book "Green Eggs and Ham," sparking the imagination of millions about the unexpected fun of "green" food. Inspired by this whimsical idea, we've dared to think out of the box, adding a splash of green to our beloved brownies. The result? A delicious surprise that makes you smile with every bite!

Our Spinach Brownies are a creative take on the traditional dessert. But fear not, this isn't just about being innovative; it's about packing a deliciously cheesy punch with an unexpected twist of health. We've kept things simple, using classic brownie ingredients like flour, butter, and eggs, but we've turned the tables by adding spinach into the mix. The subtle flavor of spinach, combined with the tangy bite of mozzarella and the savory hint of onion, creates an explosion of taste that makes these treats a real conversation starter.

Imagine the delight of your friends and family when you present these distinctive green squares, fresh from the oven. They might raise an eyebrow, they might even laugh - until they take a bite, that is. Once they've tasted the uniquely wonderful combination of flavors, they'll understand that this is no ordinary brownie recipe.

JUMP TO:

INGREDIENTS:

Spinach: When selecting spinach, opt for fresh, vibrant green leaves that are crisp and free from any yellow or dark spots. Spinach is the primary flavor of these "brownies" and adds nutrients, color, and moisture to the final product. If fresh spinach isn't available, frozen spinach can be used as an alternative, but be sure to thaw it and squeeze out excess moisture to prevent a soggy outcome.

Milk: Always use fresh milk for best results. Whole milk is often preferred in baking due to its rich flavor and moisture content, but if you're trying to cut down on fat, 2% milk could work too. If you're lactose intolerant, you can substitute with lactose-free milk or non-dairy alternatives like almond or soy milk.

Shredded Mozzarella Cheese: Mozzarella is a soft cheese that provides a gooey and creamy texture to your brownies. When selecting, go for fresh, high-quality cheese as it has a superior flavor and melting quality. If mozzarella is not available, other mild and creamy cheeses such as Monterey Jack or Gouda can be used as substitutes.

Egg: Eggs are a crucial ingredient that binds the brownies together. Always choose fresh eggs, ideally at room temperature for optimal incorporation. For vegan options, flaxseed or chia eggs could be used.

MAIN STEPS:

Cooking Spinach: The spinach is a significant ingredient here, so its cooking matters. Ensure the water only simmers after reaching a boil; a rigorous boil might cause the spinach to lose some nutrients. Moreover, the timing is important; overcooking can make the spinach mushy and lose its vibrant color.

Draining Spinach: After boiling, be thorough while draining the spinach to avoid adding excess water to your batter, which could potentially result in a soggy end product. Squeeze out as much water as you can without pulverizing the spinach.

Sifting Flour: The sifting process is not to be rushed or overlooked. It's integral to eliminate any potential lumps and aerate the flour for a lighter texture in your brownies.

Cooling Before Cutting: Resist the urge to cut into your brownies right after they come out of the oven. Letting them cool first ensures a clean cut without crumbling and lets the flavors meld together better.

SERVED WITH:

Starter: Zuppa Toscana (Italy): This is a rich, creamy Italian soup filled with Italian sausage, potatoes, and kale. The hearty flavors of the soup would complement the spinach brownies.

Main Course: Grilled Salmon (Japan): A simple dish of grilled salmon, lightly seasoned with soy sauce. The lightness of the fish would pair well with the unique flavor of spinach brownies.

Side Dish: Couscous Salad (Morocco): This salad is made with couscous, fresh vegetables, and a tangy dressing. The freshness of the salad can balance the richness of the spinach brownies.

Dessert: Lemon Tart (France): A classic French dessert with a crumbly crust and a tangy lemon filling. The sharp citrus flavor would provide a nice contrast to the earthy spinach brownies.

Second Course: Ratatouille (France): A classic French dish made from stewed vegetables like eggplant, bell peppers, zucchini, and tomatoes. The mix of vegetables would complement the spinach in the brownies.

Cake: Almond Olive Oil Cake (Spain): A moist and nutty cake that's lightly sweetened. The nuttiness would pair nicely with the savory notes of spinach brownies.

Drink: Vinho Verde (Portugal): This is a young, slightly fizzy green wine from Portugal, which is light and fresh, perfect to balance out the unique, rich flavors of the spinach brownies.

ALTERNATIVES:

Appetizer: Spanakopita (Greece): This traditional Greek savory pie uses spinach, onions, and feta cheese, wrapped in flaky phyllo pastry. It shares similar ingredients to spinach brownies, but is a more savory and less sweet alternative.

Main Course: Palak Paneer (India): This Indian dish is made with paneer (cottage cheese) in a thick paste made from puréed spinach. While it's not a baked good like brownies, it shares the main ingredient of spinach and offers a spicy alternative.

Side Dish: Spinach Pesto Pasta (Italy): A simple pasta dish where pasta is tossed with a pesto made of spinach, garlic, pine nuts, and Parmesan cheese. It maintains the spinach and cheese elements of the brownies but in a completely different form.

Dessert: Matcha Souffle (Japan): A rich and creamy souffle with the addition of matcha powder for a hint of bitterness and a beautiful green color. It maintains the dessert aspect of the souffle but replaces spinach with matcha for a similar color.

Second Course: Spinach and Cheese Strudel (Austria): This savory strudel is filled with spinach and cheese, offering a flaky, savory alternative to the spinach brownies.

Cake: Carrot and Spinach Cake (UK): This cake uses the unusual combination of spinach and carrot, along with spices and walnuts for a healthful, flavorful treat. It's a sweet treat like brownies but incorporates vegetables in a different way.

Drink: Green Smoothie (USA): A healthy smoothie made from spinach, banana, and apple juice. It utilizes spinach in a refreshing and healthy beverage.

HISTORY:

Tracing the roots of the Spinach Brownie recipe reveals a wider trend of food innovation and the daring incorporation of unusual ingredients into classic recipes. More than the brainchild of a single creator, Spinach Brownies represent a baking philosophy that seeks to merge taste with health.

In the realm of contemporary global cuisine, Spinach Brownies play a notable part, demonstrating the constant evolution of food in response to changing dietary trends and taste preferences. These brownies symbolize the transformative power of creative culinary thinking.

TIPS:

Spinach Preparation: Instead of boiling, consider blanching and shocking your spinach to retain its vibrant color and nutrients. Boiling can lead to a loss of nutrients, while blanching (briefly submerging in boiling water) and shocking (immediately plunging the hot spinach into an ice bath) can preserve them.

Adding Depth to Onions: Instead of using regular onions, you could use red onions, or sauté them until they're caramelized to add a sweet and savory touch to your brownies. This will provide a nice contrast to the earthiness of the spinach.

Cheese Variation: Experiment with other cheeses like feta, goat cheese, or blue cheese to create different flavor profiles. The salty tang of feta or blue cheese could add an interesting dimension to the brownies.

Incorporate Aromatics: Consider adding minced garlic, a dash of nutmeg, or some chopped fresh herbs (like dill, basil, or parsley) to complement the spinach's flavor.

Adding a Crunch Factor: Consider adding some toasted pine nuts or walnuts to the batter. This not only adds nutritional value but also provides a contrasting texture to the soft brownies.

Final Touches: For the final touch, lightly dust the top of the cooled brownies with a little bit of powdered sugar or a thin glaze made from lemon juice and powdered sugar. Not only does this add a touch of sweetness, but it also makes them more appealing.

Ingredients:

Conversions and Servings: Cups (12 Brownies) Cups (24 Brownies) Cups (36 Brownies) Cups (48 Brownies) Cups (60 Brownies) Imperial (12 Brownies) Imperial (24 Brownies) Imperial (36 Brownies) Imperial (48 Brownies) Imperial (60 Brownies) Metric (12 Brownies) Metric (24 Brownies) Metric (36 Brownies) Metric (48 Brownies) Metric (60 Brownies)

Directions:

01 - Preheat oven to 190C / 375F.

02 - Next, you'll need to prepare your baking dish. Go for a 9x13 inch size, and lightly grease it. This will help prevent the mixture from sticking to the dish.


03 - Now, place the Spinach in a medium saucepan and add enough Water to completely cover the leaves. Bring the water to a boil over high heat.

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04 - Once the water is boiling, lower the heat to let it simmer. Let the Spinach cook until it becomes limp, which should take about 3 minutes.

05 - After the Spinach has cooked, remove the saucepan from the heat. Drain the water from the Spinach to remove excess moisture, and set it aside for later use.


06 - For the Batter: in a large bowl, sift Flour, Salt, and Baking Powder. These dry ingredients will form the base of your Spinach Brownies.

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07 - Into this dry mixture, stir in the Eggs, Milk, and Butter. Make sure everything is well combined to create a smooth and even Batter.

Photo: Uncut Recipes

Photo: Uncut Recipes

08 - Next, incorporate the cooked Spinach, Onion, and Mozzarella Cheese into the Batter. Mix them well to evenly distribute these ingredients throughout the Batter.

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09 - Now, transfer the Spinach Batter to your prepared baking dish. Spread it out evenly to ensure that it cooks uniformly.

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10 - Place your dish in the preheated oven and let it bake for 30 to 35 minutes. To check if it's done, insert a toothpick into the center. If it comes out clean, your Spinach Brownies are ready!

11 - Allow your Spinach Brownies to cool well before you cut them into bite-sized pieces. Once cooled, slice them up, serve, and enjoy!

Photo: Uncut Recipes

Notes:

Choice of Spinach: This recipe calls for spinach, use them fresh. Avoid frozen spinach. If using frozen spinach though, ensure it's thoroughly thawed and excess water is squeezed out before using.

Preparing the Spinach: Cooking spinach until it becomes limp is an important step. It not only wilts the spinach, making it easier to mix into the batter, but it also helps remove some of the natural bitterness from the leaves.

Draining the Spinach: Make sure to drain the cooked spinach well. Any excess moisture could make your brownies soggy. If necessary, you can squeeze the spinach gently to remove as much water as possible.

Mozzarella Cheese: The recipe uses mozzarella cheese, known for its excellent melting qualities. For a different flavor profile, you could substitute part or all of the mozzarella with another good melting cheese, like sharp cheddar or gruyère.

Storing the Brownies: These spinach brownies can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. They can also be frozen for up to a month. To reheat, thaw if frozen, and heat gently in the microwave or a warm oven.

Serving Suggestions: These spinach brownies can be served as a healthy snack or a side dish. They could also be packed in a lunchbox for a nutritious midday meal.

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Written by: Uncut Recipes

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