Skip to main content

Spinach-Yogurt Dip With Sizzled Mint

This image may contain Plant Food Produce Vegetable Bean and Lentil
Alex Lau

Our version of this dip (called borani esfanaaj in Iran) uses spinach, but it can be made with cooked beets or roasted eggplant, too.

Recipe information

  • Yield

    4 servings

Ingredients

1 cup walnuts
8 ounces baby spinach (about 10 cups)
6 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, divided
1 small onion, finely chopped
2 garlic cloves, thinly sliced
Kosher salt
2 tablespoons dried mint
3 cups plain whole-milk Greek yogurt
1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
Freshly ground black pepper

Preparation

  1. Step 1

    Preheat oven to 350°. Toast walnuts on a baking sheet, tossing once, until golden brown, 6–8 minutes. Let cool; finely crush with the side of a chef’s knife.

    Step 2

    Place a medium skillet over medium heat and add ½ cup water. As soon as you see bubbles, add one-third of the spinach and cook, stirring occasionally, until most of the spinach is wilted, then add more. Continue to cook, stirring occasionally, until all the spinach is in the pan and wilted, 6–8 minutes. Transfer spinach to a bowl of ice water to stop the cooking and lock in its bright green color. Drain and squeeze out excess liquid. Finely chop spinach and set aside.

    Step 3

    Wipe out skillet and heat 2 Tbsp. oil over medium. Cook onion, stirring occasionally, until soft but without taking on any color, 6–8 minutes. Add garlic and a pinch of salt and cook, stirring occasionally, until garlic is softened, 2–3 minutes. Transfer to a small bowl.

    Step 4

    Heat remaining 4 Tbsp. oil in a small skillet over medium. Once oil begins to shimmer, remove from heat and stir in dried mint. The oil will sizzle immediately and the mint will become fragrant. Transfer to a small bowl; season with salt.

    Step 5

    Combine yogurt, lemon juice, onion mixture, half of the walnuts, and reserved spinach in a medium bowl. Taste and season with salt and pepper. Scrape 
into a shallow serving bowl and use the back of a spoon to carve a few swirls into the dip. Top with remaining walnuts and spoon sizzled mint oil over.

Read More
Chock-full of spinach, herbs, and feta, this nourishing skillet will shine at any meal.
Inspired by Korean pajeon, this shrimp-studded pancake features fresh snap peas as a spring-y addition.
Braising canned chickpeas in chicken stock and olive oil makes them unbelievably tender and buttery. This is worth the effort of peeling 40 cloves of garlic.
Stable enough to last days in the fridge (and hearty enough to sate a breastfeeding mom).
An electrifying pesto that stays bright green for days on end. With the addition of ginger, and jalapeño, it’s a versatile condiment to have on hand.
Who says ground chicken is boring? Two whole bunches of mint and some aromatics give these chicken meatballs their bracingly herby flavor.
Forget regular baked potatoes—these tender sweets loaded with chaat-inspired toppings make for a bright and flavorful vegetarian main (or colorful side dish).
Roasted poblanos, jalapeños, and red onion are coated with a melty sauce—warm with the flavors of pepper jack, and stabilized with a block of cream cheese.