Urzici cu Usturoi (Nettle with Garlic)

Ingredients

• 500g (1.1 lb) fresh nettle leaves 500g (1.1 lb) fresh nettle leaves
• 3 cloves of garlic, minced 3 cloves of garlic, minced
• 2 tablespoons olive oil 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• Salt, to taste Salt, to taste

Nutrition

• Calories (kcal / KJ): 120 kcal / 502 KJ
• Fat (total, saturated): 8g, 1g
• Carbohydrates (total, sugars): 10g, 0g
• Protein: 5g
• Fiber: 6g
• Salt: 0.5g

Preparation

1. 1.
   Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Add the nettle leaves and blanch them for 1-2 minutes to remove their sting. Drain and set aside.
2. 2.
   Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and sauté until fragrant, about 1 minute.
3. 3.
   Add the blanched nettle leaves to the skillet and sauté for 3-4 minutes, until wilted.
4. 4.
   Drizzle the lemon juice over the nettle leaves and season with salt to taste. Stir well to combine.
5. 5.
   Remove from heat and transfer to a serving dish.
6. 6.
   Serve hot as a side dish or as a topping for toasted bread.

Treat your ingredients with care...

• Nettle leaves — When handling fresh nettle leaves, it's important to wear gloves to avoid stings. Blanching the leaves removes their sting and makes them safe to handle and consume.

Tips & Tricks

• If fresh nettle leaves are not available, you can use frozen nettle leaves as a substitute.
• Adjust the amount of garlic according to your preference for a milder or stronger garlic flavor.
• Serve urzici cu usturoi as a side dish with grilled meats or as a topping for pasta or rice dishes.
• Leftovers can be refrigerated and enjoyed the next day as a cold salad.

Serving advice

Serve urzici cu usturoi hot as a side dish or as a topping for toasted bread. Garnish with a sprinkle of freshly ground black pepper for an extra kick of flavor.

Presentation advice

Arrange the sautéed nettle leaves neatly on a serving platter and drizzle with a little extra olive oil for a glossy finish. Serve with a wedge of lemon on the side for squeezing over the dish.