Mediterranean Spinach with Pine Nuts and Raisins

Spinach with pine nuts and raisins is a traditional Mediterranean side dish recipe that's both elegant to serve and easy to make. Its mild and slightly sweet flavor provides a nice counterpoint to boldly-flavored Italian pasta dishes. But really, this Mediterranean side dish goes well with most any kind of meal, including those featuring grain dishes and curries.

Mediterranean Spinach with Pine Nuts and Raisins

Serves: 4 to 6

Ingredients

1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil, plus more for finishing
2 to 3 cloves garlic, minced
¼ cup pine nuts
12-16 oz fresh spinach, rinsed, stemmed, and coarsely chopped
(or use fresh baby spinach, simply rinsed)
2 scallions, thinly sliced
1 tablespoon lemon juice, or more, to taste
⅓ cup raisins
¼ cup sun-dried tomatoes, thinly sliced (optional)
salt and freshly ground black pepper

Instructions

Heat the oil in a soup pot or steep-sided stir-fry pan. Add the garlic and pine nuts and sauté over low heat, stirring often, until both are golden, about 3 minutes.
Add the spinach and cover. After 1 minute, uncover and stir in the scallions, then cover and cook just for another minute or two, until the spinach is just wilted but still bright green. Remove from the heat.
Stir in the lemon juice, raisins, and optional dried tomatoes. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Drizzle in a little more olive oil, if you'd like, and serve at once.

Nutrition Information
Per serving: Calories: 80; Total Fat: 5g; Protein: 2g; Carbs: 7g; Sodium: 51mg