Benefits of Cruciferous Vegetables + Recipe

There are some foods that are healthy that we don’t enjoy and for me, it is cauliflower.  Here is one of many recipes I use to get cauliflower into my diet because the health benefits of it far out way any distaste I might feel.  The good news about cauliflower is that the flavour of it can easily be hidden by adding lots of fresh herbs.  The health benefits of cauliflower are many, and it also happens to fall under the category of foods known as cruciferous. Cruciferous foods include, but not limited to, broccoli, brussels sprouts, cabbage, Bok choy and some of the lesser-known ones being watercress, rutabaga, and horseradish.  Cruciferous foods are foods high in two types of sulfur:  one is in macromineral form meaning it is needed in large quantities in our bodies for optimum health; and the other is a micro-sulfur trace mineral meaning it is only needed in small amounts.  Together, they contain vitamins B, A, C and E.  Cruciferous vegetables are especially helpful in healing the tissues of the lung and help to promote regeneration and healing of all our body tissues.

Recipe:

1 can chickpeas – be sure to drain and rinse repeatedly until the water runs clear

1 medium head cauliflower

1 apple

1 shallot

2 avocados

1-2 cups of mint and parsley

Salt, pepper and chili powder to taste

Dressing:

2 tablespoons Dijon or grainy mustard

2 tablespoons raw honey

1/4 cup olive oil

1/4 cup water

Zest and juice of one lime

salt and pepper to taste

Preheat oven to 400 degrees.

Place chickpeas and chopped cauliflower florets on a baking sheet.  Drizzle with olive oil and season with salt, pepper and chili powder. Roast for 25-30 minutes until crispy and browned.  Meanwhile, chop the apple, shallot, avocados and the herbs and place in a bowl.  Whisk together the dressing ingredients and when the chickpeas and cauliflower are done, assemble all in one bowl and incorporate the dressing along with more salt and pepper to taste.  Serve on a bed of spinach, add some feta or goats’ cheese, jalapeno slices, pumpkin seeds or whatever other topping you might prefer and enjoy!