Sweet-and-Sour Catalan Spinach

• Recipe by Jose Garces

This sweet-and-sour spinach side dish gets its satisfying flavor from the combination of honey and sherry vinegar that’s drizzled on top. It’s relatively light, which makes it a great addition to a hearty Thanksgiving menu.

Ingredients

1. 1 tablespoon canola oil
2. 1 shallot, minced
3. 1/2 cup sherry vinegar
4. 1 thyme sprig
5. 1 tablespoon honey
6. 1/4 cup pine nuts
7. 2 1/2 pounds baby spinach
8. 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
9. Salt and freshly ground pepper
10. 1/4 cup currants

Directions

1. In a small saucepan, heat 2 teaspoons of the canola oil. Add the shallot and cook over low heat until softened, about 3 minutes. Add the vinegar and thyme sprig and bring to a boil. Simmer over low heat until the vinegar is reduced to 2 tablespoons, about 20 minutes. Discard the thyme sprig and stir the honey into the vinegar.
2. In a small skillet, toast the pine nuts in the remaining 1 teaspoon of canola oil over moderate heat, stirring constantly, until golden, about 5 minutes. Transfer the pine nuts to a plate and let cool.
3. Fill a soup pot with 1/2 inch of water and bring to a boil. Add the spinach in handfuls, stirring until wilted. When the spinach is wilted, transfer to a colander and squeeze out the excess water. Wipe out the pot.
4. Heat the olive oil in the pot and add the spinach. Season with salt and pepper and cook, stirring, until heated through, about 5 minutes. Transfer the spinach to a platter and garnish with the currants and toasted pine nuts. Drizzle the sherry vinegar syrup on top and serve right away.

Make Ahead

The recipe can be prepared through Step 3 up to 1 day ahead. Refrigerate the spinach. The pine nuts can be stored in an airtight container for up to 3 days.