Lemon Spinach

 Ingredients:

• 1 pound fresh spinach
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice

 Directions:

1. Cut off the stems and wash the spinach.
2. Put the spinach, black pepper, and lemon juice in a pan.
3. Cook, uncovered, over low heat for 3 minutes, until just tender.

To stem spinach:

• If you purchased a bunch of spinach with large leaves, the stems can be fibrous and stringy.
• Cut the stems off at the bottom of the spinach leaf.

To wash spinach: 

• Fill a bowl with cold water, and swish loose leaves around.
• Let the leaves set in the water until dirt and sand settle.
• Lift leaves from water and place in a colander.
• Drain and rinse the bowl.
• Repeat the steps above 2-3 times with fresh water until the spinach is clean.
• Pat leaves dry with towel, if needed.

 Cut Down on Choking:

For kids under the age of 4 years old, serve food in the following ways:

• Puree, blend or mash all ingredients in this recipe. Stringy, smooth, or slippery foods like cooked spinach can slide down kids’ throat before chewing.