The secret ingredient is fall produce! There’s much more to the fall farmers market than apples and pumpkins. The fruits and vegetables of autumn make for a season of delicious recipes. To celebrate this abundant time of year, we’re focusing on two of our favorite fall vegetables – kale and beets.
Kale and beets are two fall crops that can be very beneficial to our health. They can both be prepared in a variety of ways and are easily found at your local farmers market or grocery store. Our recipes and tips will make it easy for you to include this wonderful fall produce in your diet this season.
The Secret Ingredient is Kale
It’s no secret kale is a favorite ingredient of Secret Ingredient Personal Chef Service. Watch Chris talk about her love for kale.
Kale is a bright green, leafy vegetable. The flavor is pungent and peppery. Kale keeps its texture when cooked. It can be steamed, stir fried, roasted, or eaten raw. You can turn it into smoothies, kale chips, wilt it into soup, or use as an alternative for pesto. Always remove the middle rib which is tough and fibrous and imparts a more bitter taste when eaten. The middle rib can be removed by hand or with kitchen shears. We love adding kale to soups and stews. Try our Sweet Potato, Kale and Turkey Chili, it is paleo-friendly and a flavorful, low-calorie meal.
The Many Health Benefits of Kale
- Great source of vitamins A, C, calcium, potassium and antioxidants
- Low in calories and carbs
- Protects against cancer and type 2 diabetes
Add a handful of kale to your favorite smoothie to add nutrients without changing the flavor very much. My Simple Green Smoothie is a staple in my house. As a breakfast, or snack for long days in the kitchen, it keeps me full and energized until my next meal.
The Secret Ingredient is Beets
Beets are an earthy and sweet root vegetable that can be consumed from root to its leafy stalk. They come in a range of colors, shapes and sizes. Red beets taste slightly more earthy than yellow, or golden, beets. Different colored beets can be used interchangeably, but keep in mind that red beets will turn just about everything purple.
Suitable for consuming raw or cooked, they have a natural sweetness. Cut them into thin slices or shred them for salads. Otherwise, they are very versatile and can be boiled, steamed, or roasted and then used in countless ways. We love this simple, colorful dish of creamy beets and their greens. Most people are unaware that beet leaves can be cooked and enjoyed like spinach.
The Many Health Benefits of Beets
- Low in calories and fat but loaded with vitamins and minerals
- High in nitrates proven to lower blood pressure
- Good source of fiber which is beneficial for digestive health
Beets are not only nutritious but delicious and easy to incorporate into your diet. Add them to your favorite salad. The secret ingredient is fall produce and we love this salad with butternut squash, Brussels sprouts and and beets. You can easily add goat cheese, grilled chicken or tofu for an entree version.
The Secret Ingredient is Fall Produce!
We always encourage our clients to eat local and seasonal produce. These days you can easily find fall produce any time of the year. However, there are definitely benefits to eating seasonally. Freshly picked, local produce typically has better flavor and is more nutrient-dense.
Do you want to eat more seasonally and healthier? Let Secret Ingredient personal chef service prepare our seasonal, fresh and delicious meals that will surely have you and your family excited for dinnertime. Contact us today!
Cheers,
