One of the ingredients that makes this dish so characteristically Asian in flavor is fish sauce. If you're a fan of Thai and southeast Asian food, consider making your own fish sauce to keep around the kitchen. This recipe is actually vegan, so no fish in sight, but it's the same idea.
In the photo of the finished dish you'll notice an orange-colored sauce drizzled around the spinach. It's a delicious red pepper coulis that is one of those secret ingredients you can keep around and it makes your cooking look snazzy and taste great.