The health benefits of kale, arugula, and Brussels sprouts are well-documented.
They’re all delicious cruciferous vegetables and pack a nutritional punch. A diet rich in these veggies can help reduce your risk of obesity, diabetes, and heart disease while boosting immunity to colds or flu. Here are some tips for incorporating more nutritious and delicious cruciferous vegetables into your cooking at home:
-Eat them raw as crudités with dips like hummus or guacamole.
-Use them as sandwich fillings instead of lettuce or tomato slices.
-Add them to pasta, soups, stews, or braised dishes for a nutrient boost without changing the flavor too much.
-Include them in your favorite salad recipes.
-Steam or roast them for a quick and healthy side dish.
-Freeze them for later use in smoothies, soups, or stews.
-Experiment with new recipes featuring cruciferous vegetables and discover your new favorites.
-Include kale, arugula, and Brussels sprouts in your next grocery list, and start cooking up some delicious and nutritious meals today!
-Kale is a great addition to smoothies or juices for an antioxidant boost.
-Arugula makes a delicious addition to pizzas, sandwiches, and salads.
-Brussels sprouts are perfect roasted with a bit of olive oil and salt. Experiment with different seasonings for a variety of flavors.
-All cruciferous vegetables are high in fiber which can help regulate digestion.
-They’re also a good source of vitamin C, vitamin K and important minerals like potassium and manganese, fiber, and antioxidants.
Looking to improve your health and cook with cruciferous vegetables? Here are some tips to help you out!
-Cruciferous veggies are a diverse group that includes broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, kale, bok choy, arugula, Brussels sprouts, collards, watercress, and radishes.
-Many of these vegetables can be steamed or boiled in just a few minutes for a quick and healthy side dish.
-For something a little more adventurous, try stir-frying them with some garlic and ginger for an Asian-inspired dish.
-Cruciferous vegetables are a great addition to any diet!
The Sign Of The Cross
The name “cruciferous” is an informal classification for members of the mustard family and comes from the Latin cruciferae meaning “cross bearing,” because the four petals resemble a cross.
Home cooks are often looking for ways to eat healthier, cook more creatively, and reduce their grocery bills. Whether you’ve just started cooking or you’re an experienced chef, these tips will help you get the most out of your cruciferous vegetables.
Crucifers are one of the healthiest food groups around— not only do they contain cancer-fighting properties (like glucosinolates), but some also have anti-inflammatory effects that can help reduce the risk of heart disease and other chronic conditions.
-There are many ways to cook crucifers, so be sure to try out a few different recipes to find your favorites. Roasting brings out the sweetness of these vegetables while steaming preserves their nutrients.
-Cruciferous vegetables are also a great way to save money on groceries. They are often cheaper than other vegetables, and they can be used in a variety of dishes.
If you’re looking for a way to improve your health, consider cooking with these particular cruciferous vegetables.
These veggies are packed with nutrients and can help reduce inflammation and the risk of cancer. They’re also low in calories and high in fiber, making them a great choice for those looking to lose weight or maintain a healthy weight.
Cruciferous vegetables come in all different colors, shapes, and sizes, so there’s sure to be one that you’ll love. Below, are some of my favorites.
It doesn’t take much to reap the benefits. Adults need at least 2½ cups of vegetables a day. One cup of raw and cooked veggies, such as broccoli, cauliflower, and Brussels sprouts, is equivalent to a 1-cup vegetable serving. Two cups of raw leafy vegetables, such as kale and bok choy, are the equivalent of a 1-cup vegetable serving.
I have a confession. I used to be one of those people who turned their nose up at cruciferous vegetables, like broccoli and Brussels sprouts. Why? Because I didn’t know how to cook them!
But when you learn the basics (and it’s not hard), you can start adding these nutritious veggies into your diet in a delicious way that will keep you healthy as well as satisfied. Here are four simple tips for cooking with cruciferous vegetables:
-Choose organic whenever possible
-Cut off the tough ends and discard any wilted leaves
-Steam or boil until tender, but don’t overcook
-Add butter, olive oil, garlic, or other herbs like thyme or rosemary for flavor
These tips will help you get started but don’t stop there! There are plenty of other cruciferous vegetables to explore, so get cooking and enjoy the health benefits.
Cauliflower
Cauliflower is indeed delicious in many ways beyond steaming. Try roasting florets or “steaks” of cauliflower to release its pleasant flavor, pureeing it into a sauce for pasta, and more!
Check out these 4 creative ideas:
1) Mash it up for a pizza crust;
2) Substitute it for rice;
3) Grate it into croutons or pickles;
4) Roast the florets or “steaks” to release its pleasant flavor.
In addition to being tasty, cruciferous vegetables like cauliflower are also very healthy. They can help protect you from cancer and other diseases by combating oxidative stress on the cellular level.
Brussels Sprouts
Want to cook healthier for your family? You can start by cooking with vegetables like Brussels sprouts. These cruciferous veggies are packed with vitamin C and beta-carotene, which boost immunity. They also contain other nutrients that help your body fight cancer, heart disease, and diabetes.
Here’s a recipe to get you started:
-Brussels Sprouts in the Oven Recipe: *Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C) *Remove outer leaves from sprouts and cut in half lengthwise; remove any brown spots or tough stems.
-Place on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper; spread out evenly so they’re not touching each other but still close together.
-Drizzle with olive oil and balsamic vinegar.
-Sprinkle with salt, pepper, and your choice of dried fruit, nuts, diced garlic, and/or shredded Parmesan cheese. Bake for 18 to 20 minutes, stirring once during cooking, and serve immediately.
Kale
The almighty kale is a wonderful green for salads. Remove the tough stem, slice into thin ribbons and toss with toppings, dressing and all. Best of all, this hearty green will not wilt for days, making it a great option for packing ahead.
To balance the bitter bite, pair it with something sweet such as roasted carrots, diced apple or dried fruit. Kale also is a great addition to smoothies and can even be baked into crisp chips.
Kale is a green leafy vegetable in the Brassica oleracea family, grown for its edible leaves. Kale plant leaves are often used in salads, or as a cooked leaf vegetable. The word kale comes from Old English and means “cole” (cabbage) and “beet”. It is of the same genus as broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, cauliflower and collard greens.
Kale offers many health benefits such as being rich in vitamin C, A & K; containing high levels of calcium; possessing anti-inflammatory properties; preventing cancer by reducing cell damage to tissues through antioxidant activity; lowering cholesterol levels when included with other vegetables that contain fiber like carrots or apples and assisting digestion.
In addition to being healthy, cruciferous vegetables are also delicious. They add a rich flavor and satisfying crunch to salads, sandwiches, and side dishes. And best of all, they’re easy to prepare. Here are four tips for cooking with cruciferous vegetables:
1) Remove the tough stem from kale before slicing into thin ribbons.
2) Toss kale with toppings, dressing and all. It won’t wilt for days, making it a great option for packing ahead.
3) To balance the bitter bite, pair kale with something sweet such as roasted carrots, diced apple or dried fruit.
4) Kale also is a great addition to smoothies and can even be baked into crisp chips.
Arugula
Did you know that arugula is one of the easiest greens to grow in your garden or in a planter? Arugula is a spicy leaf that can be pureed into a pesto with a kick, tossed onto whole-wheat pizza once it emerges from the oven or used in a variety of tossed salads. For a classic combination try fresh arugula paired with feta cheese, cubed watermelon, and a balsamic dressing.
We want to help home cooks improve their health by cooking with cruciferous vegetables like arugula.
Here are four bullet points on how to do just that:
1. Start by adding simple recipes like our Arugula Pesto recipe to your weekly meal plan.
2. Use a variety of cruciferous vegetables in your recipes like arugula, broccoli, cauliflower and kale.
3. Experiment with different cooking methods like roasting, steaming or sautéing to bring out the best flavor and nutrients in these vegetables.
4. Make sure to include at least one serving of cruciferous vegetables in your daily diet for optimum health benefits.
Conclusion
The bottom line is this: for the sake of your overall health and taste buds, adding a variety of cruciferous vegetables to your daily meals is an absolute no-brainer. There’s a huge range of tastes, flavors, and textures to enjoy so get cooking!
