Cabbage Steaks: Roasting at it's Finest

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Cabbage Steaks: Roasting at it's Finest

In my (Emily, here) CSA basket, there have been these gorgeous heads of cabbage that I've had absolutely no no no idea how to cook. Of course I have ideas, but I didn't want the commitment of making sauerkraut or doing something boring and simple like shredding it up. I also knew I could use the leaves in place of tortillas for a wrap, but I ran out of those sammy fixins. There I was, thinking, 'hmm, I have to use them. Can't leave a veggie out -- that's just plain rude.' So that's what started this recipe. It's simple (5 ingredients!) and definitely yummy delicious.

Why do we love this recipe? Not only is it simple to throw together with major taste factor, the ingredients pack a major nutritional punch. Cabbage is low in fat and high in fiber, aka filling. It's full of vitamin K and anthocyanins which both help mental function and concentration; think helping out with nerve damage, strengthening your defense against Alzheimer’s disease, and dementia. Cabbage can help dry out oily skin and fight acne thanks to the sulfur which also draws out toxins like uric acid and free radicals (the main causes behind arthritis, skin diseases, and rheumatism). Amongst a whole host of others, it's an anti-inflammatory and blood sugar regulator. Wow! Talk about packing a punch!

We love our olive oil for it's resveratrol, aka the antioxidants that help with healthy hearts, no wrinkles, and keep us on this divine earth for a long while. Pink Himalayan salt has been known to stabilize ph levels, blood sugar, and water levels in the body; detoxify your system; and promote good respiratory and vascular health. Garlic contributes magnesium, vitamin B6, and vitamin C, can improve cholesterol levels, boost our immunity (hello, cold remedy), and helps the body detox the organs of heavy metals. Can't say this recipe is anything short of amazing. Five minutes to throw together, 40 minutes in the oven, and you can get all of those benefits? I'm not gonna pass it up. You? Find the recipe below!

Ingredients & Instructions

+ 1 Head Cabbage

+ Olive Oil

+ 3 Cloves of Garlic

+ Pink Himalayan salt (regular salt works, too)

+ Black Pepper

 

  1. Preset the oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit.
  2. Take the head of cabbage and slice from top to bottom (part where the leaves meet down to the flatter part/stem) in one inch widths.
  3. Place the sliced rounds on a baking sheet.
  4. Drizzle the slices with olive oil.
  5. Chop up the garlic cloves. Sprinkle on top of cabbage rounds.
  6. Rub the garlic and olive oil into the cabbage (like one might with a marinade rub).
  7. Bake for 40 minutes, until crisped at the top and tender through the center.
  8. Pull it out of the oven, drop next to some other side-dish yummies, and enjoy!

+ have you tried roasted cabbage this way? how about other veggies? what's your fave? comment below or on Facebook!

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New Feature!

Welcome to a new feature for A Beautiful Recovery: Health and Wellness!

We are going to talk about some downright deliciously awesome foods for you to start incorporating, if you wish, into your daily lifestyle. There will be one new feature bi-weekly. On the alternate weeks, I thought we would introduce some health-related discussions to spark a personal check-in and centering. No need to feel overwhelmed: just sit back, relax, and prepare to have your mind explode on just how amazing and nutritious food can be.

If you miss a week or want to recheck nutritional information, simply head over to the Food 101 tab. You can then either click that directly or go through the tab drop down.

*** Also, please do not think I am a healthy superhero warrior princess. I enjoy these foods based on my budget, availability, and desire. The thing with nutritious foods, especially the media-crazed ones, is often we get drawn into the trap that to be healthy these foods must be a part of our daily eating routines. Definitely, definitely, definitely not true. Eat what you like, don’t eat what you don’t desire, and let your body guide you through your cravings. Each body is different and therefore desires, craves, and is fueled by various diets.

Food is an awesome tool that can help us feel magnificent, but it is not the end-all-be-all. It is secondary to all that which sustains us: our relationships, how we spend our days, our physical activity, and our spirituality. So please take in what you wish, and my hope is that you fall in love with food the way that I have.

To start us off is...

Maca

Lepidium meyeni, Maca root, Peruvian Ginseng

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Maca (mah-cah) is a plant vegetable from the broccoli family, historically grown in Peru. Maca Root, what we are talking about today, refers to the root of the Maca plant which closely resembles a turnip. Maca can be red, black, pink, or yellow. It has a very earthy taste. See below for ways to incorporate it deliciously into your diet.

Maca has been used for centuries in Southern America to improve the libido, as an anti-depressant, to lower anxiety, elevate memory and cognition, for physical strength and endurance, as well as increase general well being. The tests done on Maca often report not overly significant data, but the mineral and vitamin composition of this root have deemed it a Superfood in health communities.

What it can help with ||

Nutritional Benefits ||  just some of the amazing qualities… per 100g or 7.5 tablespoons

  • Protein // 14g
  • Fiber // 7g | 29% DV
  • Vitamin C // 475% DV
  • Vitamin B6 // 57% DV
  • Iron// 82% DV
  • Potassium// 57% DV

How I can use it ||

*Powdered form// as seen in the picture above

  • Add it to a smoothie, on top of cereal or granola, stirred into non-dairy milk, baked into desserts, the list goes on and on
  • A little goes a long way! Start with 1 tsp. and gradually increase; starting small allows you to control the depth of flavor
  • Go-To Recipe:
    • 1 Medium Banana
    • 1 cup Coconut Water (or water or non-dairy milk or mix)
    • 1/2 tbsp. Chia Seed
    • 1 tsp. Maca Powder
    • Spices to Taste (cinnamon, nutmeg, cardamom, etc.)

Capsule form// you can also take Maca in capsule form if you don’t appreciate the taste, but still want the benefits

* how I like to use it!

[image by Emily Friend]