Spinach Pasta Sauce (Ela Vegan) features cheesy-tasting nutritional yeast, high in vitamin B12. Basil is Indian in origin, often used for pasta, pizza and pesto. You can now buy pastas in plastic-free packaging. Serve with plant-based Parmesan (conventional Parmesan is not even vegetarian, as it contains calf rennet).
Spinach is high in vitamin K, potassium and oxalic acid, so check medication and avoid for kidney stones/disease. Avoid basil for bleeding disorders or low blood pressure (it can slow blood clotting). Keep these recipes away from pets due to garlic, onion, nutmeg and fresh dough (if making your own pasta). Read more on keeping people & pets safe in the kitchen.
pasta with fresh spinach & canned artichokes
Pasta with spinach & artichokes (Short Girl, Tall Order) makes use of fresh spinach and canned artichokes, so is super-simple and quick to cook. Like all good Italian recipes, this begins by sauteeing garlic and onion in oil. The ‘cream sauce’ is made with oat milk and cornstarch, and the basil combined with pine nuts, gives a pesto-type flavour.
a 5-minute pear smoothie (with spinach!)
This 5-minute spinach pear smoothie (The Natural Nurturer) is a simple blend of banana, cinnamon and vegan Greek yoghurt with ripe pears and spinach (check medication before eating leafy greens). You can buy a good blender with a glass jug for around £50 from Russell Hobbs (also use it to make soups and sauces).
a spinach & blueberry breakfast smoothie
Spinach & blueberry breakfast smoothie (Short Girl, Tall Order) sweetens up spinach with naturally sweet berries, with protein from hemp seeds. Avoid blueberries for kidney disorders (due to oxalic acid).
