Hello and Happy 2015! I went back to culinary school again... taking courses with the Matthew Kenney Culinary School, the same school that I went to in Santa Monica, California where I took Fundamentals of Raw Cuisine in March of last year. This time, I can't personally leave town so I've been doing it in my own kitchen and at my own pace with the use of my computer. Isn't that awesome? Hence, my absence on the blog recently. I took "Plant-based Desserts" which was so much fun and of course yummy at the same time. On the next post, I will show all the goodness that I've made and share some of the new skills that I've learned as well.
In the meantime, I'd love to share these three great juice recipes using one of the most nutritious, colourful and beautiful vegetables around - Red or Purple Cabbage. I've been asked many times what my favourite juice recipes were and I just realized that I've only been posting them on my Instagram page and that I've never really shared any here. So here I am today...it's Superbowl Sunday and I'm supposed to be sharing some game snacks but I've done that before and so let's just tackle these vibrant RED|PURPLE|FUSCHIA drinks instead!
Let's face it, a lot of people think that cabbage is just not as rad as kale. However, this humble vegetable, has high nutrition value. And who wouldn't admire this colour? This is what's being said of red cabbage: The rich red color of red cabbage reflects its concentration of anthocyanin polyphenols, which contribute to red cabbage containing significantly more protective phytonutrients than green cabbage. Interest in anthocyanin pigments continues to intensify because of their health benefits as dietary antioxidants, as an anti-inflammatory, and their potentially protective, preventative, and therapeutic roles in a number of human diseases. A recent study showed that a 100 gram (about 3 ounces) serving of raw red cabbage delivers 196.5 milligrams of polyphenols, of which 28.3 milligrams are anthocyanin. The vitamin C equivalent, a measure of antioxidant capacity, of red cabbage is also six to eight times higher than that of green cabbage." Cabbage is also a good source of Vitamins K, B6, manganese and potassium.
There have been research and studies that link cabbage juice in helping heal stomach ulcers. For me personally, using red cabbage in my juice recipes has helped me to be more energetic and able to develop higher resistance to even colds and flu. Other benefits are: cancer prevention, cholesterol lowering benefits and cardiovascular support.
Pretty In Pink
3/4 medium cabbage
1 large or 2 small Fuji apples, cored and seeds removed
2 small limes, peeled leaving the pith
1"-2" ginger
Makes approximately 2 cups.
For extra nutrition, 1"-2" turmeric can be added (the colour of the juice will change to reddish)
"Violets are Blue"
1/2 medium red cabbage
6 celery stalks
2 green apples, cored and seeds removed
1/2 -1 bunch cilantro
1 lemon, peeled leaving pith
2" ginger (you can increase it to 3" if you love it to be spicy)
Makes approximately 2 1/2 cups.
"Lady in Red" (Hot and Spicy)
1/2 medium red cabbage
2 fennel bulbs
6 carrots
3 blood orange, peeled leaving the pith
1 lime, peeled leaving the pith
3" ginger
2" turmeric
pinch of cayenne
Makes approximately 3 1/2 cups.
I also have a few green juice recipes primarily using kale. The samples can be checked at my Instagram page: here, here and here. There's also something great here for those looking for a "liver-friendly" drink, dandelion and cilantro being the primary ingredients.
Happy February! We are in the midst of a deep freeze here in Toronto. Hopefully, we'll get a bit of warmer breaks in between all the cold days. If you ask me, I can't really wait for Spring! I hope you're getting ready and excited for Valentine's Day. I am preparing to host a private Valentine's dinner for some of my friends and to be followed a week later by a workshop for busy moms and career women. I will definitely update the blog on how these events will turn out. Warm wishes for you if you are experiencing the same kind of weather. To all my family and relatives in much warmer places, I'm jealous and hopefully, I'll be visiting you soon!
Warmly,
Lina