1-Minute Roasted Almond and Broccoli Slaw

Ever since I tried a yummy sample at Trader Joe's, I have been wanting to try something like this. Considering almonds are one of the bests nuts you can eat and broccoli is one of the best veggies, they are a super combo!

It's more of a summery dish, but that hasn't stopped me from enjoying this broccoli slaw all day!

Roasted Almond Broccoli Salad

4 c fresh broccoli
1 c roasted almonds
1/4 c balsamic or rice wine vinegar
1/4 c raisins, unsweetened (suprisingly Dole sweetens raisins!)
1 apple

In a food processor, pulse all ingredients for just a quick minute or so, and enjoy! 



Notes

• This salad becomes more flavorful the longer it sits.
• This becomes an easy and complete meal, and tastes delicious, when combined with some brown rice (this combination grain is awesome!) and some garbanzo beans.
• If you aren't craving a cold salad, this dish is tasty warm.

COMMENTS: What is your favorite way to eat broccoli?  My kids like it frozen!  I love it in this stir-fry, and this post's recipe is my new favorite way to eat raw broccoli!

Crunchy Cancer Prevention! Kohlrabi, What?!

Funky LOCAL Produce!  Kohlrabi!

This was our Week 1 Selection from Geauga Family Farms!

KOHLRABI is the light green, round veggie in the middle.  It gives me a chance to talk about CRUCIFEROUS veggies, like broccoli and cauliflower, in case you don't come across any kohlrabi!

Think K-sound, and some Bs and Rs: kohlrabi, cauliflower, kale, cabbage, collard greens, broCColi / broCColi raab, Brussels sprouts, rutabaga, radishes, tuRnips, aRugula, and chaRd!

Key BENEFIT of CRUCIFEROUS Veggies!

Amazing protection from CANCER and even TREATMENT for TUMOR REDUCTION! (Broccoli sprouts are SUPER jam-backed with this protection!)

Science has been finding impressive associations for AT LEAST the last 30 years!

National Cancer Institute has lots to say about this!

Here are some highlights of HOW Cancer may be Prevented!

Protect cells from DNA damage

Inactivate carcinogens

Anti-viral and anti-bacterial effects

Anti-inflammatory effects

Induce cell death (healthy killing of old or cancerous cells)

Inhibit tumor blood vessel formation AND tumor migration (prevents cancer from spreading)

Cruciferous veggies contain a wide variety of nutrients, including some vitamins (C, E, and K, folate) and minerals, fiber, and especially a wide variety of PHYTOCHEMICALS (indoles, carotenoids, such as beta-carotene and lutein)!

As you may read on the National Cancer Institute's website, various nutrients may be responsible for the protection.  Often one nutrient is studied in animals or on petri dishes, and sometimes results aren't as clear when human intake is studied.  

Remember that humans have a lot going on inside and out, so it isn't as easy to prove effectiveness.  

Plus, we're talking about eating veggies, not smoking a cigarette because a study told us it was good for us!  I'm saying it is a pretty low risk thing to try; while it may not cure us of cancer for 100%, there is ABUNDANT respectable information that says that it might -- pretty exciting to me!

So eat your kohlrabi!  Or!

Here is a yummy BRUSSELS SPROUTS recipe!

Truffle Trio!

Or you can try this KALE recipe!

Lemony Kale Pasta!

Or this BROCCOLI recipe!

Rich and Tasty (Seriously!) Tofu Stir-Fry!

Here is a great post all about KOHLRABI which included a great way to try it!

They suggested "slice... it thinly, mix... it Granny Smith apples, lemon juice, ginger, and oil for a quick salad."  Sounds good to me!

COMMENTS: Have any new cruciferous recipes you want to share?!

Tasty Tofu?! YES! Hubby-Approved!!

One of the first meals I started regularly making when I really began cooking about a decade ago. I am not sure what even made me think to try tofu! ...though a discussion of SOY is coming SOON!

My hubby who doesn't (DIDN'T!) like tofu ... thinks this is delicious!!!

Rich and Tasty Tofu Stir Fry


3 Tbsp soy sauce (or to taste)
1 Tbsp garlic, minced 
½ tsp ginger
Cayenne pepper (to taste)
1 lb package tofu, EXTRA-FIRM
2 T sesame seeds
1 onion, chopped
1 red pepper, chopped
2 c broccoli, chopped
16 oz bag spinach
1 c cashews CLICK HERE to find out about why nuts are wonderful!
2.5 c uncooked brown rice (prepare)
Optional: some cooking wine and a bit of sesame oil...we have been omitting these for several years, but originally included.

Drain water from tofu as much as possible. Chop tofu in ½-inch cubes. Heat skillet or wok. Bring soy sauce, garlic, ginger, pepper, and some water to boil. Add tofu, cover, and simmer about 15-20 minutes, until tofu well-soaked with sauce; stir occasionally. I don't get tofu to crisp, unless I cook it in the oven, but it's always tasty. Remove tofu and remaining broth from skillet. Heat skillet and cook vegetables over medium-high heat, about 5 minutes, until crisp-tender. Add tofu, remaining broth, and cashews. Heat together. Serve over brown rice.

You could probably use any type of veggies for this; any frozen bag of mixed or stir-fry veggies would work. The sauce flavors are so tasty -- they make anything really yummy -- like tofu!!

BONUS HINT about tofu: Firm is for savory dishes, and silken is for smoothies and desserts!

Reversing can be disastrous! Once, around the time I started making this recipe, I tried making a smoothie with firm tofu -- no matter how many pieces or varieties of fruit I added, I could not get rid of the unpleasant, tofu taste! I think he avoided trying new foods for a long time after that experience! Sorry, Nicholas.

As for stir-fry, you simply need the firmness to hold shape!

Read 5 BIG Reasons to Make Your Meat Portions Small!

Coming soon: Benefits of Soy; Soy and Cancer, and Milk Comparisons!

COMMENTS: How do you like your soy? How are you spending Mother's Day?