Espinacas con Garbanzos


 Cuisine: Spanish  Type: Entree

Espinacas con Garbanzos : Entree in Spanish cuisine - Recipe, Calorie Info, Healthy alternatives & more on EatM3
 Representative image. Recipe yield may differ

 Amounts


 Ingredient
 Amount (g)
Spinach
2 bunch (500)
Chickpeas
2 cups (400)
Olive Oil
3 tablespoons (45)
Onion
1 large (150)
Garlic Cloves
4 cloves (12)
Ground Cumin
1 teaspoon (2)
Paprika
1 teaspoon (2)
Salt
1 teaspoon (5)
Black Pepper
1 teaspoon (2)
Lemon Juice
2 tablespoons (30)
Water
1 cup (240)
 Totals
49 oz (1,388 g)

 Calories 


 Ingredient
 Calories (kcal)
Spinach
23
Garbanzo Beans
269
Olive Oil
119
Onion
44
Garlic
4
Paprika
20
Cumin
22
Salt
0
Black Pepper
6
Lemon Juice
4
 Totals
511 kcal

 Steps 


1. Heat olive oil in a large pan over medium heat.
2. Add chopped onion and sauté until translucent.
3. Stir in minced garlic and cook for another minute.
4. Add ground cumin, smoked paprika, and a pinch of cayenne pepper to the pan. Stir well to combine the spices with the onion and garlic.
5. Pour in canned diced tomatoes and stir. Let it simmer for about 5 minutes.
6. Drain and rinse canned chickpeas, then add them to the pan.
7. Stir in fresh spinach leaves, allowing them to wilt and cook down.
8. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
9. Reduce the heat to low and let the mixture simmer for about 10-15 minutes, or until the flavors are well combined and the spinach is cooked to your desired tenderness.
10. Serve hot as a main dish or as a side dish with crusty bread or rice. Enjoy your Espinacas con Garbanzos!

 Substitutions 


Substitutions/Alterations for Espinacas con Garbanzos:

1. Spinach (Espinacas):
- Substitute with Swiss chard, kale, or collard greens.
- Adjust cooking time as needed for alternative greens.

2. Chickpeas (Garbanzos):
- Substitute with white beans, kidney beans, or black-eyed peas.
- Adjust cooking time as needed for alternative legumes.

3. Olive Oil (Aceite de Oliva):
- Substitute with vegetable oil, canola oil, or sunflower oil.

4. Garlic (Ajo):
- Substitute with garlic powder or granulated garlic.
- Adjust quantity to taste, starting with 1/2 teaspoon per clove.

5. Cumin (Comino):
- Substitute with ground coriander or curry powder.
- Adjust quantity to taste, starting with the same amount as cumin.

6. Smoked Paprika (Pimentón Ahumado):
- Substitute with regular paprika or chili powder.
- Adjust quantity to taste, starting with the same amount as smoked paprika.

7. Bread (Pan):
- Substitute with toasted bread crumbs or croutons.
- Adjust quantity to desired texture and thickness.

8. Vegetable Broth (Caldo de Verduras):
- Substitute with chicken broth or water.
- Adjust seasoning as needed with salt, pepper, and additional herbs or spices.

Note: Adjustments in cooking time, seasoning, and quantities may vary depending on personal preference and taste.

 Pairings 


- Crusty bread or baguette
- Spanish tortilla (potato omelette)
- Patatas bravas (fried potatoes with spicy tomato sauce)
- Jamón ibérico (cured ham)
- Gambas al ajillo (garlic shrimp)
- Pisto (Spanish ratatouille)
- Manchego cheese
- Chorizo sausage
- Paella
- Sangria or Rioja wine

 Upgrades 


1. Improve presentation:
- Garnish with a drizzle of high-quality extra virgin olive oil and a sprinkle of smoked paprika.
- Top with a few crispy fried chickpeas for added texture and visual appeal.
- Serve in individual small cazuelas (earthenware dishes) for an elegant touch.

2. Improve texture/flavor profile:
- Sauté the spinach with garlic and shallots for a more aromatic base.
- Add a splash of sherry vinegar to brighten the flavors.
- Incorporate a pinch of saffron threads for a subtle, luxurious taste.

3. Elevate with luxurious/premium ingredients:
- Substitute regular spinach with baby spinach or tender Swiss chard for a more delicate texture.
- Use high-quality Spanish chickpeas, such as Pedrosillano or Lechoso, known for their creamy texture.
- Enhance the dish with a few slices of jamón ibérico or prosciutto for a touch of indulgence.

Remember to adjust the seasoning accordingly and enjoy your elevated Espinacas con Garbanzos!

 Diet Restrictions 


1. Reduce sodium: Use low-sodium vegetable broth or homemade broth instead of regular broth to decrease the overall sodium content.

2. Lower fat content: Use less olive oil or opt for a cooking spray to reduce the amount of fat in the dish.

3. Gluten-free option: Ensure that the vegetable broth used is gluten-free, and double-check that the garbanzo beans are labeled gluten-free if necessary.

4. Vegan alternative: Skip the addition of chorizo or any meat-based ingredients, and focus on enhancing the flavors with spices, such as smoked paprika or cumin.

5. Low-carb modification: Replace garbanzo beans with a lower-carb legume alternative, like lentils or black beans, to reduce the carbohydrate content.

6. Allergy-friendly adaptation: If allergic to legumes, substitute garbanzo beans with diced potatoes or another vegetable of choice, like zucchini or eggplant.

7. Diabetic-friendly adjustment: Limit the amount of garbanzo beans and increase the proportion of leafy greens, like spinach, to control the dish's glycemic load.

8. Low-calorie version: Reduce the olive oil used for sautéing and consider using vegetable broth or water for added moisture instead.

9. Paleo modification: Eliminate the garbanzo beans altogether and focus on increasing the spinach content for a paleo-friendly version.

10. Personal preference customization: Experiment with additional ingredients like roasted red peppers, sun-dried tomatoes, or pine nuts to add extra flavor and texture to suit personal preferences.

 Healthy Choices 


- Use extra virgin olive oil instead of regular cooking oil.
- Reduce the amount of oil used in the recipe.
- Use low-sodium vegetable broth or homemade broth instead of regular broth.
- Increase the amount of spinach and chickpeas for added nutrients and fiber.
- Add more vegetables like diced tomatoes, bell peppers, or onions for added flavor and nutrients.
- Use whole wheat or whole grain bread crumbs instead of regular bread crumbs.
- Limit the amount of salt added and use herbs and spices to enhance flavor instead.
- Serve with a side of whole grain bread or brown rice instead of white rice.
- Consider adding a squeeze of fresh lemon juice for a tangy flavor boost.
- Opt for fresh, homemade garbanzo beans instead of canned to reduce sodium content.

 Shortcuts 


1. Use canned chickpeas instead of dried ones to save time on soaking and cooking.
2. Opt for frozen spinach instead of fresh to skip the cleaning and chopping process.
3. Substitute chicken broth with vegetable stock to make it more budget-friendly.
4. Use pre-made tomato sauce instead of cooking it from scratch.
5. Consider using ground cumin instead of toasting and grinding whole cumin seeds.
6. Replace sautéing onions and garlic with onion powder and garlic powder for a quicker alternative.
7. Use a pressure cooker to speed up the cooking time of chickpeas and spinach.
8. Consider using paprika instead of saffron to reduce costs without compromising flavor.
9. Skip the step of toasting bread cubes by using store-bought croutons instead.
10. Utilize a food processor to quickly blend the ingredients for a smoother texture.