Instructions: European varieties of spinach are quite different from those used in China although they make satisfactory substitutes for the real thing. Spinach is most commonly stirfried so frozen spinach is obviously unsuitable. Chinese water spinach (Ipomoea aquatica) is available in some greengrocers and in Chinese grocers. It has hollow stems and delicate green pointed leaves lighter in colour than common spinach and with a milder taste. It should be cooked when it is very fresh preferably on the day on which it is bought.

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