Mast o Esfenaj is a classic Persian dip made with spinach, yogurt and seasoning.
This mast o esfenaj recipe originally appeared August 2012 and was updated in July 2016. Nooshejan (enjoy)!
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Mast o Esfenaj – Persian Yogurt and Spinach Dip
Summer has finally lost some of its steam (har har) and I am so excited for Fall – sweaters, boots, apple cider and pumpkin-flavored EVERYTHING! Until September 22 when Fall officially starts, we’re still getting some hot, muggy days in NYC and those cooling dishes are still hitting the spot. Mast-o-esfenaj, a cousin of other yogurt dishes mast-o-khiar and mast-o-musir, is another ‘assembly only’ dish great for warm days.
Mast o Esfenaj – Persian Yogurt and Spinach Dip
Cool and refreshing, whip up a batch of mast o esfenaj and grab the nearest baguette, crackers or veggie sticks (I like cucumber!) and get to noshing!
Bonus Persian Mom Tip: Growing up, instead of saran wrap my mom used to always save the little shower caps from hotel visits, which make perfect covers for leftovers or things going into the fridge. Genius!
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- 2 cups of yogurt (again, I'm loyal to Fage 2% but use your favorite!)
- 1 10-ounce package of frozen spinach, thawed and drained well of excess water (you may want to stick it in a saute pan on medium for 5 minutes to 'dry it out')
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon fresh-ground pepper
- 2 dashes of garlic powder
- Walnuts (optional - I don't use them since I'm allergic)
- All you have to do is mix everything up and then chill for a couple hours. Then enjoy with pita bread, chips, as a side dish or just by itself!
Mast o Esfenaj (Persian Yogurt and Spinach Dip)
I like how that looks. Can I get a bite of that? Or its cousins?
PJJ
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This sounds great. I make my spinach completely dehydrated on a no stick pan first, let it cool down, then mix with plain yogurt+salt+garlic powder. A great summer dish to have with good french bread, or even better some flat bread like lavash
Fall is definitely not here yet either. This dip looks great for a warm day!
I can even see serving this dip on a cold evening in front of the fire! (And then grilling something wonderful on the grill in the fire!) Thanks! ~ David
Fun and easy summer recipe!
thanks 🙂
Thanks for this easy recipe, I love Mast o Esfenaj, specially when you add garlic to it 🙂 that’s my lunch for today 😉
Garlic makes everything better, right?! 🙂 nooshejan 🙂
That looks so good Ahu! We concoct different kinds of dips at home and yogurt + spinach is right up our alley. This would go so well with naan bread too I think! (Oh and great tip on those shower caps!)
Thanks Jolina! It would be fabulous with naan bread. Yum!
Thanks for the reminder! I made it a couple of times that first summer you posted it, and need to make another batch for this weekend! Always hot in Tucson, so it’s always a good idea!
Yay! Just omit the garlic of course. Enjoy 🙂
I love dip and think looks unlike anything I’ve tried before – pinned for future reference!
Thanks Lauren – I think you’ll like it! It’s simple and delicious. 🙂
I love this, it’s wonderful straight up or with bread, I used to pile it on Kuku, is that weird? It’s cool and delicious and I could eat it by the bowlful. I never added walnuts, must try.
Not weird at all, it sounds delicious!!! I will try that next time 😀
This looks sooooooo good and it tastes just the same!!!! I’ve always ate it Persian restaurants but I never knew what it was called! I learn something new everyday!
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This looks delicious! I will need to save this to make for our next party!