Green beer, green bagels, and all sorts of foods are colored green today to celebrate St. Patrick's Day, but don't forget the real greens this holiday such as:
- Beet greens
- Bock choy
- Broccoli rabe
- Green cabbage
- Chard
- Collard greens
- Dandelion creens
- Enive and chicory
- Kale
- Lettuce greens
- Mustard greens
- Spinach
- Turnip greens
- Wild greens
All of these are full of vitamins and minerals and oh so good for you!
Tips for cooking greens:
1. Greens need some help in the flavor department to use a little olive oil with garlic, a bit of lemon juice, some sesame oil or sesame seeds when cooking.
2. Green is a beautiful color, but adding other colors makes is much more beautiful. Think about adding different lettuces, carrots, corn or squashes to your greens. Some of these will also add some extra sweetness as well.
3. Mixing shades of green is also a great way to go. Try spinach with mustard greens or kale with celery. Also mixing nuts and seeds make for a great addition and some extra crunch to soft cooked greens.
4. Think outside the steaming box for cooking your greens. Steaming is a great way to prepare greens but don't forget sauteing, stir-frying, quick boiling or grilling.
5. If you cook your greens in water a lot of the nutrients (the non-water soluble ones) are lost in the cooking process and end up in the water so save the water to drink or use it to add to soups or for cooking grains.
6. Greens are easy to add into any diet. Just take your normal meals and add it in. Greens make a great side with any protein, a delicious topping on pizza or a hearty addition to soups and stews.
7. Remember that a little goes a long way...greens are super nutritious so don't mute that by adding too much cheese, oil or butter. Just a little bit will enhance the flavor while maintaining the healthiness.
Of course St. Patrick's Day can't go by with out the talk of beer. So if you are out and about today look for organic beers from brewers like Wolavers, Butte Creek, or Peak Organic. But also keep a look out for your local brewers here in New York like Brooklyn, Blue Point or local bars that brew their own.
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