Purple Cauliflower

Spring is the set up for the colors of summer. It’s a teaser ad, a sneak peak at what’s coming down the pipe. The red radishes, the orange carrots, and then this ~ the purple cauliflower.  The next time a kid taunts you with the challenge there are no purple foods, shove one of these in his face. Perhaps maybe it's best to gently present rather than shove. 

Paired with some oyster mushrooms from our favorite ‘shroom supplier LA Funghi, spiced with a little garlic and salt, top with some sour cream, vinegar, and dill and you have something amazing.  Even the kids will like it.  Maybe. I don't know your kids. 

Carrot Front and Center

In our previous post we lauded the carrot as we know and love it today, from its green leafy top to its colorful root. Naturally you can eat them a la "Bugs Bunny" style. You can also serve them in salads, as displayed so beautifully in purple glory below.

Purple carrot glory. 

Or try a savory soup. We made this carrot coconut soup the other day, chock full of anti-oxidants (ginger), anti-inflammatory ingredients (ginger, turmeric), and all around goodness. Imagine how well the sweetness of the carrots and coconut cream contrast with the pungency of the fresh ginger, fresh turmeric, garlic, onion, and leeks. Garlic, onion, and leeks, you ask? Why so many pungent flavors, you say? Traditional Chinese medicine practices of seasonal attunement recommend a focus in the spring on light pungent flavors such as garlic, leeks, and onion. We couldn’t choose just one. So we chose them all. The flavor of the soup speaks for itself, but if you think garlic, onion and leek is just too much to bear, leave one out. Radical recipes are guidelines, not mandates. 

 

A warm golden sun in a cup or bowl.  

Carrot Leek & Coconut Soup (Vegan)

3 tablespoons coconut oil

1 pound carrots, peeled, chopped

1 large onion, chopped

2 medium leeks, 1 chopped, 1 thinly sliced

2 garlic cloves, chopped

1 tablespoon finely grated ginger (peel it first!)

1 tablespoon finely grated fresh turmeric (peel it first!)

Sea salt and some freshly ground pepper

4 cups vegetable broth

1 13.5-oz. can unsweetened coconut milk

Directions

Heat oil in heavy pot over medium-high heat. Add carrots, onion, chopped leek, garlic, ginger, and turmeric and season with salt and pepper. Cook, stirring often, until vegetables soften, 5–7 minutes. Add broth, coconut milk, and 1 cup water. Bring to a boil, reduce heat, and simmer until vegetables are very tender, 20–25 minutes; let cool slightly. Working in batches, puree soup in a blender until smooth. Season with salt and pepper. If you so desire, lightly fry up the sliced leeks, salt, and garnish the soup. 

Cook's note: they say the addition of pepper mixed with turmeric enhances the anti-inflammatory properties and more. So don't forget the pepper! 

Cool Slaw. Coleslaw. Cabbage Summers Up ~ Recipe #4 of #4

As the summer months heat up, we seek the cool. Following traditional Chinese medicine, we can cool with yin foods. Green cooling vegetables such as cucumber and herbs such as dill can help reduce the heat. Stave off the stove and keep the food you serve simple and raw with this cool down coleslaw. 

The Recipe 

1/2 head of savoy cabbage, shredded or chopped finely 

1/3 cup fresh dill, chopped coarsely 

1 cucumber, sliced 

zest of one lemon 

Vinaigrette 

1/3 cup olive oil 

2-3 tablespoons white wine vinegar 

1 tablespoon lemon juice 

salt and pepper to taste 

Add chopped cabbage into one large bowl and mix well with cucumber slices, lemon zest, and dill. Whisk vinaigrette ingredients together into a smaller separate bowl. Drizzle vinaigrette over cabbage. Mix and serve immediately. (Cook's note: this coleslaw has a mild cooling flavor but can be enriched with a tablespoon or two of plain Greek yogurt.)