Indian Fare: A meal fit for Popeye

 I'm strong to the finish, 'cause I eats me spinach. -Popeye

Today I made a good meal.  A really good meal.  With canned spinach as the main course.  I know, I know - most of you wouldn't touch canned spinach to save your lives - but for those of us who live on a boat without refrigeration, eating canned food is just a fact of life.  

I searched the internet for how to cook canned spinach, as I had no idea, and I found an Indian recipe that I bastardized* and made my own.  I think it's some sort of palak or paneer or something like that.  Either way, it worked. It was actually really, really good and really, really easy.  For you brave souls who want to try it, or for those of you who are living off canned food in a bomb shelter somewhere - here you go!

Ingredients:

• 3 tablespoons of butter (two for sautéing, one for later)
• 1 can spinach (drain only half the water)
• 1 can chickpeas (drained and rinsed)
• 1 medium white onion
• 5 garlic cloves
• 2 tablespoons of tomato paste
• 1 tablespoon sugar
• 1 tablespoon of ginger powder or fresh minced ginger root
• 2 heaping teaspoons garlic salt
• 1 teaspoon turmeric
• 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes
• Salt/Pepper to taste

Directions:

1. Melt 2 tablespoons butter in pan over med/high heat.
2. Sauté onions until transparent.
3. Add garlic, sauté a minute or two.
4. Add spinach and sauté for a few minutes before lowering heat slightly.
5. Add spices, tomato paste and sugar - allow to cook for a few minutes, stirring frequently.
6. Add 1 tablespoon of butter and chickpeas, simmer for 10-15 minutes.
7. Add salt, fresh pepper to taste.
8. Serve over white rice and enjoy! 

Love,

Brittany & Scott

* To my wonderful Indian friends, I apologize.  This is probably VERY sub-par to your tastes!