As a kid, if I had gotten a nickel for every time I was instructed to “eat my greens,” I would retire by age 30. It’s no secret that green vegetables have been pushed down almost every child’s throat since birth… Well, maybe not THAT early. We all know why: They’re healthy!
In a search to discover the healthiest of the healthy, I came across a few surprises. The following is a list of webMD’s “Leafy Greens – Ranked and Rated” (full article, here: http://www.webmd.com/diet/healthy-kitchen-11/leafy-greens-rated).
1. Kale
-Saute with Olive Oil and Garlic to take away some bitterness
2. Collards (leave out the ham hock)
-Use the raw leaves in place of tortillas for an added bonus of vitamins
3. Turnip Greens (leave out the bacon—I’m starting to see a trend)
-Buy Turnips with the “tops on” and you get 2 vegetables for the price of one!
4. Swiss Chard
-Saute with Olive Oil and Garlic, you can also add Vinegar
5. Spinach
-Cooked spinach is actually more healthy than raw. Who knew?!
6. Mustard Greens
-Add an acid (vinegar or citrus) to reduce the “spice”
7. Broccoli
-Throw in your pasta water, 3 minutes before straining the noodles to add vitamins C and A, Potassium and Folate to Italian favorites
8. Red or Green Leaf Romaine Lettuce
-The darker the color, the healthier it is
9. Cabbage (St Patrick’s Day is over, so we’ll discuss this next year)
10. Iceberg Lettuce
-Just go with Romaine, guys. Come on.
Before cooking the Kale, Greens, and Swiss Chard, soak and rinse in the sink several times. There is quite a bit of grit and dirt that can build up in those leaves that isn’t too appetizing on a plate.
It is a common misconception that the only way to eat kale and others like it is on a salad. (Though our society has improved on this front with the rise of the “foodie.”) Stick any one of those bad boys (Greens, not foodies) in a skillet and toss them around for a few minutes. They are fantastic to serve alongside any grilled or roasted protein. Throw in some garlic and fresh herbs and you can pretend to have stepped right off the food network set.
So, enjoy your greens. They are no longer just an excuse to add bacon!
–Claire