EAT MORE GREENS!

With sincere (?) apologies to my chocoholic readers (you know who you are .... Dom and Chele) I'm back with more veggies.  Years ago (when the boys were small and I was obsessed with nutrition) I read a wonderful book by Andrew Weil called "8 Weeks To Optimum Health" - a few of his recommendations have stuck with me through the years:  Have a "news fast" every so often (no radio or TV news and skip the newspapers) - very calming.  Buy yourself flowers regularly - they lift your spirits.  Eat broccoli - it is brim full of goodness - so here goes!

I have been dipping in and out of Ellie Krieger's "The Food You Crave" recently, and when I saw a recipe for "Dirty Broccoli" - I just had to try it!!!  Not sure where the dirty bit came from but the recipe is excellent - tasty, interesting and healthy.  Ellie describes the dish as delectable, and she's right!


"Dirty" Broccoli

1                bunch broccoli

2 tbsp        olive oil (I used slightly less)
2               garlic cloves, minced (I used 3)
3 tbsp        wholemeal breadcrumbs
1/4 tsp       dried oregano
1/4 tsp       salt
1/4 tsp       pepper



Divide the broccoli into spears and steam until cooked to your taste.

While the broccoli is steaming heat the oil on a large pan or wok, adding the garlic while the oil is still cold, cook it for about a minute.
Add the breadcrumbs, oregano and seasonings and stir until the mixture is toasted and golden.
Combine the broccoli and the crunchy breadcrumbs and serve.

Enjoy.

EAT YOUR GREENS

I think it's time to redress the balance - what about some nice healthy vegetables after all the recent breads and cakes??  And what nicer vegetable to turn to than vibrant, mineral rich cabbage.  One of my very favourite (I never seem to make enough!!) and this is an easy, tasty way to prepare it.  Although perhaps not an obvious pairing I think that orange goes really well with irony (is that a word?) deep green cabbage - the slightly tart, slightly sweet orange seems to bring out the intense greenness of the vegetable.

This is a handy dish for dinner parties as you can prepare the (orange and garlic) oil and cabbage before time and then just stir fry them together at the last minute.


Garlic and Orange Cabbage

1 head             Dark Green Cabbage
1                     Orange (Zest and Juice)
1                     Large Clove Garlic
2 tsp                Olive Oil
1 tsp                Butter


Heat the oil and butter in a wok or large pan to medium high.
While it is coming up to temperature grate in the garlic and orange zest.
Allow to sizzle but do not allow the garlic to burn.
Add the cabbage and toss in the flavoured oil.
After a minute or so, add half the orange juice.
Cook until it is to your taste - about 4 minutes is enough for me.  You might need to add more of the juice.
Season with salt and pepper and serve.


Enjoy.