Borani Esfenaj, Persian Spinach
Borani esfenaj is a fixture of the Persian spread, a cool bowl of spinach bound in yogurt that works as a dip, a side, or a spread for bread. Two habits keep it from going watery: brown the onion slowly in nothing but its own moisture for the deep flavor, then cook and cool the spinach so no extra liquid loosens the yogurt. Plant yogurt made from soy carries the most protein and stands in cleanly for the dairy version. Finish with toasted walnuts and dried mint, and serve it cold.
Ingredients
- 1 lb Spinach, washed, thick stems removed
- 1 whole Yellow onions, finely diced
- 2 cloves Garlic, grated
- 1 cup Plain plant yogurt, thick, unsweetened
- 2 tbsp Walnuts, toasted and chopped, to finish
- 1 tsp Dried mint, to finish
- 1 tbsp Lemon juice, fresh
Method
- Cook the diced onion in a dry pan with small splashes of water over medium-low heat, letting the water cook off each time, until the onion turns deep gold, about 15 minutes. The browning is slow, and it is the sweetness that oil would otherwise build.
- Add the spinach in handfuls and cook until it wilts and the pan goes dry again, 5 minutes. Cooking off the water matters, since a wet spinach base thins the yogurt into a puddle.
- Spread the spinach and onion on a plate to cool to room temperature. Folded in hot, they split the yogurt and the dish turns grainy.
- Stir the cooled spinach, onion, and grated garlic into the yogurt with the lemon juice. Raw grated garlic keeps its lift here, so a little goes a long way.
- Smooth it into a bowl and top with the toasted walnuts and the dried mint, crushed between your fingers. Chill for 20 minutes before serving so it sets and the flavors marry.
Nutrition
Estimated per serving: 115 calories, 6 g protein, 3 g fiber, 50 mg sodium. Computed from USDA FoodData Central reference values for the main ingredients. This is an approximation, not a laboratory measurement. How these are computed.
Cost per serving is estimated from US national-average retail prices for cheap staple forms, using BLS dried-bean prices and USDA produce prices. Prices vary by store and season, so treat it as a guide, not a receipt. How this is computed.
