Happy National Fresh Spinach Day!
We’ve all heard spinach has several nutritional benefits, but what exactly are they? To start, this leafy green has been said to lower blood pressure, heighten your immunity to infections, serve as an anti-inflammatory, and improve your hair, skin, and bones. Packed with Vitamin A and other delicious nutrients, spinach can be served in several variations. Try it raw, cooked with eggs or blended in a smoothie. Create your own or try this lean and green recipe below. We can’t wait to hear what you come up with!
Spinach & Cottage Cheese (Palak Paneer) with Tandoori Shrimp Skewers
1 Leaner* | 3 Green | 1 Healthy Fat | 3 Condiments
Yield: 4 servings
Ingredients
Tandoori Shrimp Skewers
1½ lbs large peeled and deveined shrimp
1 cup low-fat plain Greek yogurt
2 tsp lemon juice
2 tsp garam masala
½ tsp cayenne pepper
Palak Paneer
¼ cup diced onion
½ tsp ground ginger
4 tsp canola oil
1, 16 oz bag of frozen chopped spinach, cooked according to package directions
½ cup chopped tomato
2 cloves garlic, minced
¼ tsp salt
1 tsp cinnamon
1½ cups 2%-fat cottage cheese
¼ cup water
Directions
- In a large re-sealable bag, combine shrimp with yogurt, lemon juice, garam masala, and cayenne pepper. Seal bag, and massage with hands to evenly coat shrimp with yogurt mixture. Cover, refrigerate and let marinate for at least 30 minutes.
- In a medium-sized saucepan, sauté the onion and ginger in oil until translucent. Add the spinach, tomatoes, garlic, salt, and cinnamon, and cook for 10 minutes. Reduce heat to low, stir in the cottage cheese and water, and continue to cook until most of the liquid is absorbed, about 3 to 4 minutes. Keep mixture warm until ready to serve.
- Heat broiler. Thread shrimp onto skewers (optional), and place on a broiler-proof rimmed baking sheet. Broil until opaque, about 4 to 5 minutes.
*Recipe uses a combination of leanest and leaner protein options. With the addition of 1 healthy fat per serving, each serving will receive 10g of total fat, which is enough to meet the nutritional parameters of the lean and green meal.
Per Serving: 320 calories | 43g protein | 15g carbohydrate | 10g fat
Meet a Medifast Intern!
Lauren Kiper is a College Brand Ambassador intern working alongside the marketing, social media, and public relations departments. When she is not studying Business Communication at Stevenson University, Lauren is either adventuring the outdoors or watching Greys Anatomy. She never turns down a challenge and is always up for anything. Lauren hopes to continue her marketing career after graduation next May.
