When you’re doing low carb for an extended time period, you can get really sick of the same old stuff. Meat is easy – it’s what to have with it that can be a challenge. For me anyway.
There is a misconception that people who follow a low carb eating plan live off of primarily bacon, steak, heavy cream and butter. Well that’s not really true for most of us.
You can eat those things, and I do (not much red meat though) but you still need to eat your vegetables. And oddly enough, I actually appreciate them more now than before I was eating low carb.
Spinach is a great option because it’s low calorie & low carb, while being very nutrient dense. I love it sauteed with garlic and olive oil, or on a low carb pizza. But after awhile I long for something a little different!
Enter this version that my uncle Tom (Chef at Mombo in Portsmouth, NH) introduced me to about 10 years ago when he was still working at The Four Seasons in Kona, HI. I don’t remember the exact recipe, just that it was spinach cooked in coconut milk and that it was delicious! This is more of a homage than a replica but I think it’s just as tasty.
Made with coconut milk it’s lightly sweet and has a touch of heat from the cayenne pepper. It only takes a couple of minutes to prepare and it goes with almost anything – I bet even your kids will like it!
Coconut Creamed Spinach (Low Carb and Gluten Free)
- Yield: 2 1x
Ingredients
- 1/4 cup coconut milk
- 4 cups baby spinach
- 1/8 tsp nutmeg
- 2 tsp granulated sugar substitute
- 1/8 tsp cayenne pepper
- salt to taste
Instructions
- Heat the coconut milk in a small saute pan for about 2 minutes. Add the spinach leaves and stir until wilted and bright green. Stir in the seasonings, taste and adjust as necessary.
- Serve.
- Category: Side dish
- Cuisine: Vegetable
Nutrition
- Calories: 73
- Fat: 7g
- Carbohydrates: 3g/ 1g net
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 2g
That’s it! Super easy and incredibly tasty – not to mention chock full of vitamin A, iron, and lots of other healthy stuff! Hope you guys like it!
Allyson says
Hi Mellissa,
Just wanted to say THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU for this recipe.
I have been on a huge creamed spinach kick – not sure why.
Every other low carb website wants to drown the spinach with Cream Cheese and I knew there must be a healthier way to go about this. You’ve hit the nail on the head! Gonna make this tomorrow.
OH also made your pumpkin cheesecake yesterday and it was delish!
You’re the best!
Mellissa Sevigny says
Thanks so much Allyson! I used to love this dish but I kind of forgot about it! Going to make it again soon – thanks for reminding me!
Beverly says
spinach with coconut milk is one of my stand-by sides. I’m so lazy though– I just pump it full of sriracha and maybe some garlic and call it good. You are such an overachiever.:-p
Mellissa Sevigny says
Well sriracha is always a good idea, sounds delicious to me! :)
Sonia The Healthy Foodie says
2 servings? No way! Gimme the whole thing! I want, I want, I want! (and I haven’t even finished my morning coffee yet…)
Mellissa Sevigny (sevimel) says
I have to admit I did eat the whole batch myself – but I think if it was a side to some other things I wouldn’t have been able to finish all of it on my own! Feel free though! :)
meghan @ scratch-made wife says
I never ever would have thought to put spinach and coconut milk together, but now I can’t wait to do it! I love coconut milk, and spinach is one vegetable I don’t have to fight to get the husband to eat. This sounds like a win-win situation to me. Thanks for the idea!
Mellissa Sevigny (sevimel) says
The coconut milk really mellows out the gritty bitterness spinach can sometimes have! I love it this way and I hope you guys will too! Let us know how it comes out and if the husband give it the thumbs up! :)
Anonymous says
I absolutely agree — I have definitely started to tire of my standard creamed spinach after months of eating it, so I can’t wait to try this!
Mellissa Sevigny (sevimel) says
I know, after awhile it’s just like…spinach…ugh. This definitely was a nice change for me – I haven’t made it in years and had forgotten all about it so I’m glad I remembered because it was really tasty and made me like spinach again. My other favorite way is in the spinach and artichoke soup that is posted around here somewhere. Hope you like it!
Anonymous says
Hi, new to your site and I just love it. Query – what brand of coconut milk do you like? I’m just starting low carbing and would love a suggestion! This recipe looks super yummy! Brenda C
Mellissa Sevigny (sevimel) says
Welcome Brenda! I use Thai kitchen or Trader Joes, or Vitaroz depending on where I’m shopping and get the best price! I just bought some dried coconut milk powder that you just add water to at an indian market but I haven’t tried it yet. I like that you can adjust the consistency depending on what you are cooking so I have high hopes for it! Just check the carbs on the can and make sure there is no added sugar in it!