There is something so delightfully earthy about kale, spinach, brussel sprouts and the like. After I eat them, I feel like my body is saying "Thank YOU, darling!" for the rest of the day.
I had never put much thought into the family that these foods belong to until I received the book Brassicas: Cooking with the world's healthiest vegetables. It turns out that my sweethearts in the kitchen: kale, brussel sprouts, broccoli and cauliflower are all part of the same vegetable family - Brassicas. The word us just fun to say!
Laura Russell introduces some of the essentials about how to master these strong but flavorful vegetables in this cookbook. A few guidelines stand out, like remembering to freshen the flavors after cooking with a splash of lemon juice.
I love her tips for creating balance with the strong flavors...it turns out I'm doing it right which might be why these are favorites in our house! For example, a quick saute will soften the flavors and make them much more manageable. Or, contrast their bitters with another strong flavor like a tart cheese...which is exactly what I did for a recent recipe (non-brassica but equally strong leafy greens).
I'm excited to try the recipe for Cauliflower Hummus as soon as Autumn's giant cauliflower hit the farmers market - a twist on classic hummus that uses cauliflower in place of the traditional chickpeas.
The photos in the book are beautiful, but mostly of raw ingredients. I do admit that I'm extremely visual when it comes to recipes - I like reading and being inspired by the ingredients but love seeing what the final results will look like. Or at least what they should look like...right? That is one area where this book is a bit lacking. The recipes sound great, and from what I've tasted, are spot on. But only about 30% of the recipes have photos to go with them, which is about 70% fewer than what I enjoy in a great cookbook.
Overall, I'd say this is a good reference to those who are interested in adding Brassicas to their cooking repertoire and are looking for tasty ways to do it. After all... they are apparently the worlds healthiest vegetables!
BUY Brassicas HERE
Lavende and Lemonade was not compensated for this post. I did however receive free product to review on this blog. All opinions are 100% my own.
Disclaimer: I received this book for free from Blogging for Books for this review.
I love learning about new ways to eat healthy for my whole family. Thanks for sharing this review - sounds like a book I'm going to have to check out!
ReplyDeleteI have been eating a lot of vegetables even more since I am on a vegetarian like diet. I eat fish but no other meat and no dairy products. Thanks for sharing this with us!
ReplyDeleteI've never heard about this before, I really need to get my hands on it.
ReplyDeleteI've never heard of brassicas before, but definitely all of the individual members of the family! I will have to check out this book, thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteIn will have to check this book out. I love brussel sprouts, I can always use new recipes.
ReplyDeleteI don't think I've ever had kale...I know very sad. Clearly I need to expand my culinary horizons and find something to cook with it!
ReplyDeleteI'm trying to eat and be more healthy for my family, Thank you so much for the great and useful post :)
ReplyDeleteThat sounds like a great book! My teenage son LOVES Kale-however I don't. This book sounds like it would help me find a recipe that I would like with it. I will have to check it out.
ReplyDeleteI LOVE broccoli and cauliflower. However I do not like kale or brussel sprouts. Interesting that they are in the same family. However, this book intrigues me. I will have to try it out!
ReplyDeleteI love Brassicas! All of the vegetables in this family are delicious.
ReplyDeleteWe're always open to new ideas in food. Sounds like an interesting recipe book!
ReplyDeleteI love cauliflower and brussel sprouts. My family love broccoli but we are just coming to appreciate Kale. This book sounds like something I should buy. Thanks for the review.
ReplyDeleteIt's nice to have this cook book. It will help you create healthier meals.
ReplyDeleteI used to not like the taste and texture of kale. But then when Mom says it's nutritious then no matter how I didn't like it, I knew I should learn to appreciate it. Now it's one of my most favorite!
ReplyDeleteThis is something I haven't explored fully, and like you, I'm intrigued with the idea of the cauliflower hummus. It sounds like a great book!
ReplyDeletenice i doubt that i can find brassicas her in malaysia. i would love them too if ever! i can't even find kale here which is very hard. i wanted to try this healthy foods too
ReplyDeleteI am not a big fan of cauliflower. I love the other vegetable's for sure. Especially roasted in the oven with a nice coconut oil and a little salt and pepper.
ReplyDeleteThis book sounds interesting. My whole family loves all the veggies that fall into the brassicas family. I will have to check it out. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteI have to do more reading about brassicas. I'm not familiar with it and I wonder if it grows in tropical countries. I'm into all these healthy stuff and it would be great if we have that here.
ReplyDeleteI actually just tried Brussel Sprouts for the first time a few months ago. LOVE them now, have them at least once a week :)
ReplyDeleteSounds like a really interesting cookbook! Brussels sprouts are one of my absolute favorite vegetables. I usually saute them but sometimes roast them in the oven. I probably need to make some for dinner tomorrow :)
ReplyDeleteNever heard of this kind of vegetables. I think this is not available in our country and I want to try this because it is healthy and I'm planning to have a healthy lifestyle.
ReplyDeleteI love all of those veggies, but didn't know they had their own family name. I have a feeling I'll be randomly saying it now when I eat them, LOL. Especially if I get my hands on this book & try out new recipes with them more often.
ReplyDeletebrassicas? Surprised I hadn't heard of it because I love veggies. And my kids think I'm weird for it
ReplyDeleteI love colorful vegetables! I agree, I am also a visual learner when it comes to recipes, there is nothing like looking at glossy, vivid photos.
ReplyDeleteI love this class of vegetable! Spinach, kale, brussel sprouts, and cauliflower are some of my absolute favorite foods!
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