Nutrient-Dense Cabbage Mushroom Ramen Soup

This delicious immune-boosting, brain-healthy, cancer-fighting soup combines some of nature’s most nutrient-dense foods.

Cabbage

Cabbage, part of the nutrient-dense cruciferous family, is rich in vitamin K which can help boost memory. Red cabbage has additional antioxidant phytochemicals that protect neurons from damage caused by oxidative stress. These flavonoids can also help improve mood and memory.

Ginger

Ginger has proven anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects. It is digestive aid that helps breakdown of protein, and it soothes the gastrointestinal tract.  It can also help cognitive functioning, focus and memory.

Mushrooms

Nutrient-dense mushrooms are rich in essential brain nutrient B vitamins and minerals like zinc and manganese. There are several immune-boosting ingredients empower your body to react quickly and powerfully when we are exposed to disease-causing pathogens such as viruses and bacteria.

Onions and Garlic

Throughout history people recognized onions and garlic offered immune protection and could help them get well faster when they got sick. Onions and garlic are rich in:

  • anti-inflammatory and antioxidant compounds
  • antioxidant flavonoids shown to boost memory and protect neurons from injury
  • brain essential B vitamins

Seaweed

Seaweeds are one of the best foods to obtain essential minerals. The high mineral content supports nervous system function. They also contain high amounts of vitamins, as well as protein.

Sesame seeds

Rich in calcium and abundant in other minerals, particularly zinc and iron, sesame seeds also provide vitamin E.

Nutrient-dense Cabbage Mushroom Ramen Soup
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Servings
4 servings
Servings
4 servings
Nutrient-dense Cabbage Mushroom Ramen Soup
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Servings
4 servings
Servings
4 servings
Ingredients
Soup
Toppings
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Instructions
  1. In a stock pot, heat olive oil over medium-low heat. Add onions and mushrooms. Cook 5 minutes until they soften.
  2. Add garlic and ginger and cook 2 – 3 minutes stirring occasionally. Mix in soy sauce.
  3. Immediately add broth, water, and cabbage. Bring to a boil, reduce to a simmer, and add in ramen noodles. Cover and cook over medium 5 – 8 minutes until the ramen and cabbage are tender. Stir in the sesame oil, remove from heat.
  4. Sprinkle with toppings and enjoy!
Recipe Notes

*Seaweed is optional. I generally have some in the pantry in the form of seaweed snacks. It defintely improves the flavor and obviously the health benefits as well.

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Veggie-Loaded Egg Bake

Plant-rich and nutrient-dense, use this as a base recipe and mix it up with different vegetables. Add sausage, smoked salmon, leftover chicken, or ground beef. Make a double recipe and enjoy it throughout the week for breakfast or lunch.

Variations:

  • Finely slice kale or Swiss chard, instead of spinach
  • Replace basil with parsley or cilantro. Or other finely chopped herbs such as rosemary, thyme, dill or oregano. If using fresh herbs, use spinach as the greens as it is more neutral than other greens
  • Or use arugula for the greens and skip the fresh herbs
  • Use finely chopped broccoli instead of greens
  • Add other veggies: asparagus, cauliflower, peas, green beens…
  • Add leftover chicken, bacon, sausage, ground beef

Toppings (optional)

  • Chopped fresh herbs
  • Sliced avocado
  • Chopped jalapeño

Serve with green smoothie from Simple Green Smoothie, a bowl of berries or Orange and Pineapple Medley

 

Veggie Egg Bake
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Veggie Egg Bake
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Instructions
  1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Brush a baking dish with butter or olive oil.
  2. Combine all vegetables, garlic and pepper. Add optional meat and mix well. Pour into casserole dish.
  3. Whisk eggs with milk and pour over vegetables.
  4. Top with cheese
  5. Bake for 50 - 55 minutes or until eggs are cooked through.
Recipe Notes

http://www.nutritionistreviews.com/2016/01/spinach-and-bell-pepper-egg-bake-fitbit.html

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Chicken and Veggies One Sheet Dinner

I found chicken one sheet dinners on Cooking Classy and have made innumerous variations depending on what vegetables I have on hand.

I prefer to cook the potatoes separately, to have the option of using just chicken and vegetables in other meals (such as tossed with pasta and pesto) so technically it becomes a 2-dish dinner.

Variations:
• Skip the potatoes
• Skip to tomatoes
• Use cauliflower instead of broccoli or both
• Use Brussels sprouts instead of broccoli, quartered
• Add 1 cup of green beans cut up
• Add fresh herbs after cooking, about 1/2 chopped basil, parsley or cilantro. Or 1/4 cup finely chopped rosemary

Check out Cooking Classy for many other Chicken and Veggie One Sheet Dinners.

Chicken and Veggies One Sheet Dinner
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4 servings
Chicken and Veggies One Sheet Dinner
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Instructions
  1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Place potatoes baking sheet and drizzle with 2 tablespoons. Toss to coat evenly. Sprinkle with salt and pepper, toss again and spread evenly onto baking sheet.
  2. Place in preheated oven and roast for 20 minutes. Toss and roast another 20 – 25 minutes.
  3. Meanwhile chop chicken and vegetables, cut the same approximate size to cook evenly
  4. Toss remaining 3 tablespoons olive oil with minced garlic
  5. Place chopped chicken pieces and vegetables on another baking sheet.
  6. Drizzle garlic olive oil over chicken and vegetables, sprinkle on hers and toss well. Spread evenly on baking sheet and put in oven.
  7. Roast 10 – 12 minutes, toss and roast another 10 – 12 minutes. Remove when chicken pieces are cooked through.
  8. Remove roasted potatoes when tender, test by piercing with a fort.
  9. Toss half of chicken and vegetables with potatoes, reserving the other half for another meal later in the week.
Recipe Notes

Modified from Cooking Classy: Chicken Broccoli Sweet Potato One Sheet Dinner

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Eggplant Ragu on Quinoa

Who knew eggplant could be yummy? It’s probably my least favorite vegetable, but this recipe makes an un-favorite veggie into a delicious meal!

I serve it over CMF Quinoa, or if time allows, I make quinoa “cakes”. The quinoa cakes are a great breakfast option, so I make enough go have for dinner and breakfast: topping them with eggplant ragu in the evening and later in the week with defrosted mixed berries I warm up 1 cup berries with 1 tablespoon maple syrup. Add a dollop of Greek yogurt and it’s like dessert for breakfast.

The smoked mozzarella gives this dish a unique, gourmet flavor, but it’s delicious with fresh mozzarella as well. Another delicious alternative is fresh Bulgarian-style feta cheese (I add the feta just before serving). I’ve also made this without cheese.

The colors are so pretty, it’s a nice meal for dinner guests. Here are a couple of menu ideas:

Appetizer
White Bean Dip with Rosemary (or other CMF hummus/bean dip) with veggie sticks (carrot, bell pepper, celery etc) and pita or tortilla chips.

Main Course
Rosemary Pork Tenderloin

OR Broiled Chicken Breasts with Artichoke Hearts

OR broiled fish fillets with lemon

Any spinach-based CMF salads. It’s especially nice with the Spinach and Orange Salad giving the meal a Mediterranean flair. Or the Greens Edamame Salad for a more international fusion-style.

Dessert
Zucchini Brownies or Epicurious: Raspberry Buttermilk Cake.

Eggplant Ragu on Quinoa
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Who knew eggplant could be yummy? It’s probably my least favorite vegetable, but this recipe makes an un-favorite veggie into a delicious meal!
Servings
4 servings
Servings
4 servings
Eggplant Ragu on Quinoa
Print Recipe
Who knew eggplant could be yummy? It’s probably my least favorite vegetable, but this recipe makes an un-favorite veggie into a delicious meal!
Servings
4 servings
Servings
4 servings
Ingredients
Quinoa Cakes
Adjust servings: servings
Units:
Instructions
Eggplant Ragu
  1. Make CMF Quinoa. While quinoa is cooking make eggplant ragu.
  2. Heat olive oil in large heavy skillet until it begins to shimmer. Add eggplant, onion, garlic, oregano, and 1/4 teaspoon each of salt and cook over medium heat, covered, stirring occasionally, until softened, about 5 minutes.
  3. Stir in tomatoes, roasted peppers, and water and simmer, covered, stirring occasionally, until eggplant is very tender and mixture is thick about 10 minutes.
  4. Carefully mix in the diced mozzarella cheese and let melt for 5 minutes before serving.
  5. Serve over CMF Quinoa. If time allows, I like to make quinoa cakes. I serve the eggplant ragu over the quinoa cakes and use the remainder for breakfast with poached eggs and spinach or defrosted from mixed berries I warm up 1 cup berries with 1 tablespoon maple syrup. Add a dollop of Greek yogurt and it’s like dessert for breakfast.
Quinoa Cakes
  1. Toast quinoa in saucepan over medium heat until it starts to make popping sounds. Add water, and bring to a boil. When it begins to boil, reduce heat and simmer 20 minutes. Turn off heat. Let rest 5 minutes.
  2. Preheat oven to 350. Generously brush a muffin tin with olive oil.
  3. Transfer to a large bowl and cool, stirring occasionally, 10 minutes, and then stir in eggs.
  4. Pack muffin cups two-thirds full with quinoa using the back of a spoon or a spatula, dipping in water if it gets too sticky. Place in oven and bake 25 minutes.
  5. Remove from oven and cool 5 minutes. Carefully remove from muffin tin with a spatula and place on plate.
To Serve
  1. While quinoa cakes are cooling, stir in parsley and half of mozzarella into eggplant ragù and on low heat simmer just until cheese begins to soften, about 1 minutes.
  2. Spoon over ragu quinoa cakes, sprinkle remaining mozzarella on top.
Recipe Notes

*Fresh mozzarella can be used instead of smoked mozzarella. I also use fresh Greek or Bulgarian feta cheese instead of mozzarella. If using feta, I cut into pieces and put on top of ragu just before serving (do not on heat the feta).

Modified from Quinoa Cakes with Eggplant Tomato Ragu and Smoked Mozzarella

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Turkey Meatball and Kale Soup

This recipe is part of my “naked kitchen menu” because it has no spices. Consider this a base that can be varied by using different ground meat, or vegetables and adding spices.

Variations:

  • Use ground bison or grass-fed beef instead of turkey, or ground lamb
  • For the soup, use leeks instead of onions, add a chopped turnip or rutabaga
  • Add 1 cup of chopped broccoli or cauliflower
  • Add 1 cup peas or green beans
  • Add 1 cup of diced potato
  • Reduce the amount of broth to make a chunky stew instead of soup
Turkey Meatball and Kale Soup
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4 servings
Servings
4 servings
Turkey Meatball and Kale Soup
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Servings
4 servings
Ingredients
Meatballs
Soup
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Instructions
  1. Pour milk into a large mixing bowl, tear bread into small pieces and add to the milk; soak 10 minutes.
  2. Add ground turkey, chopped green onions, minced garlic and mix together.
  3. Scoop out with spoon and roll between wet palms to form 1/2-inch balls.
  4. Set aside.
Soup
  1. Heat olive oil in a pot over medium heat just until it starts to shimmer. Add onions, carrots and celery. Cook, stirring occasionally until vegetables soften, add chopped garlic and cook, stirring, 2 more minutes.
  2. Place meatballs on top of vegetables.
  3. Gradually pour in broth. Gently stir broth into vegetables without breaking the meatballs. Cover and cook over low heat, just barely bubbling until meatballs are cooked through.
  4. Add kale or spinach, cover and simmer just until kale/spinach is wilted. Gently mix together and serve.
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Soba Noodles with Mushroom and Cabbage

Cabbage does not sound exciting, but the flavors of this dish are marvelous!

I’m always looking for delicious ways to maximize the nutrients in our meals and this recipe fits the bill exceptionally well because it includes 5 of 6 GBOMBs (Greens, Beans, Onions, Mushrooms, Berries, Seeds/Nuts), the most nutrient-dense foods.

Mushrooms and cabbage are powerful anti-cancer foods and this dish is loaded with them. It’s a quick dinner recipe, easily adapted to different ingredients.

Leftovers are even more delicious as the flavors meld and… it’s also yummy cold; double the recipe and voila! Lunch to take to work or to enjoy later in the week. So despite the most unattractive name of this recipe, it is a most attractive dish to make for many reasons.

[su_expanding_quote_book alignment=”right” source_author=”Joel Fuhrman MD” source_title=”Super Immunity” full_quote=”Cruciferous vegetables (such as cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower and turnips) have a unique chemical composition with proven and powerful immune-boosting effects and anticancer activity. A 20% increase in cruciferous vegetables intake corresponds to a 40% decrease in cancer rates…Mushrooms contain many unusual disease-fighting compounds that empower the body to react quickly and powerfully when we are exposed to viruses and bacteria. Frequent consumption of mushrooms can decrease the incidence of breast cancer by up to 60%. The combination of mushrooms and greens is a powerful anticancer cocktail. (Green vegetables include kale, cabbage, collards and cruciferous)” short_quote=”The combination of mushrooms and greens is a powerful anticancer cocktail”]

Variations:

  • For family friendly-dinner, leave the Sriracha out of sauce and have it on the side
  • As is for a one-dish vegan dinner
  • Use any cabbage: purple, Napa, baby bok choy
  • Add other veggies: finely sliced carrot, broccoli, bell peppers etc
  • Replace soba noodles with udon or whole-wheat spaghetti
  • Add frozen shrimp, letting them cook in the steam from the veggies
  • Add leftover chicken, I’ve even added leftover steak, thinly sliced
Soba Noodles with Mushroom and Cabbage
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4 servings
Soba Noodles with Mushroom and Cabbage
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Instructions
  1. Stir together water, soy sauce, brown sugar and Sriracha (if using) until brown sugar is dissolved, then set sauce aside.
  2. Toast sesame seeds in a dry 12-inch heavy skillet over medium heat, stirring, until pale gold. Cool.
  3. Heat sesame oil in skillet over medium-high heat until it shimmers, sauté ginger and garlic, stirring, about 1 minute.
  4. Add mushrooms and sauté, stirring frequently, until tender and starting to brown, 6 - 8 minutes. Reduce heat to medium, add cabbage and half of scallions, cook, stirring occasionally, until cabbage is crisp-tender, about 6 minutes. Add sauce and simmer 2 minutes.
  5. While cabbage is cooking, cook soba and edamame together in a pot of boiling water until noodles are just tender, about 6 minutes. Drain in a colander and rinse under cool water to stop cooking and remove excess starch, then drain well again.
  6. Toss soba noodles and edamame with vegetables and most of sesame seeds and reserved scallions.
  7. Sprinkle remaining sesame seeds on top and serve.
Recipe Notes

Modified from Epicurious.com: Spicy Soba Noodles with Shiitakes and Cabbage

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CMF Rice

I usually use short-grain brown rice, but sometimes I’ll make wild rice or white rice. If using white rice, reduce the amount of water from 1 3/4 cup to 1 1/2 cup.

The primary differences among types of rice can be attributed to the predominant type of starch. Long grain rice expands more when cooked to form drier, firmer more separate grains of rice. Short-grain rice absorbs more moisture, which makes it moister, softer and more clingy.
Variations:

  • Herbed: Add 2 -4 tablespoons minced fresh herbs (parsley, cilantro, basil, dill etc) after cooking
  • Nutty: Add 1/4 cup chopped nuts after cooking
  • Broth-based: Substitute chicken or vegetable broth for water
  • Veggie rice: Add 1 cup chopped carrots, peas, broccoli or other fresh or vegetables the last 5 – 10 minutes of cooking rice
  • Multi-grain: Instead of rice only, mix with other grains in equal ratio. For example 1/2 cup rice and 1/2 cup barley. Or 1/3 cup rice + 1/3 cup buckwheat + 1/3 cup quinoa
CMF Rice
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4 servings
CMF Rice
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Servings
4 servings
Servings
4 servings
Ingredients
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Instructions
  1. Heat oil in a saucepan over medium heat until it starts to shimmer. Add onion and cook, stirring occasionally 5 – 8 minutes until it is translucent, add the rice and garlic and cook another 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
  2. Add water and salt; bring to a boil. Immediately turn down heat to simmer and cover.
  3. Cook 30 minutes for white rice, 40 – 45 minutes for brown or wild rice or multi-grain mix.
  4. If it gets dry and starts sticking, add 2 tablespoons of water.
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Rosemary Roasted Leg of Lamb with Tri-Color Potatoes

Of the bijillion hours (or so it seems) I’ve spent happily cooking, this is only the second time in my life I’ve cooked lamb. The first time was last Christmas requested by my cousin Dax and was possible thanks to my very dear friend Lorena who patiently coached me through it, taking my multiple frantic calls on Christmas Eve. The results (after panic subsided that I was either burning it or potentially serving it raw) exceeded my expectations and encouraged me to try again, this time venturing with seasonings.
As will all meat I purchase, I buy organic. Yes it’s crazy expensive, but this is a once, maybe twice a year expense.
The secret to lamb, Lorena taught me, is to trim ALL the fat off.

I like (surprise! after all there is a reason this food blog is Color My Food) color in my food first because it’s pretty and second because color generally means more nutrients, so I looked for the multi-colored potatoes and was glad to find them. My second option was to use 1 1/2 pound diced russet potatoes mixed with 1 1/2 pound diced sweet potatoes.

Rosemary Roasted Leg of Lamb with Tri-Color Potatoes
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Servings
8 servings
Servings
8 servings
Rosemary Roasted Leg of Lamb with Tri-Color Potatoes
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Servings
8 servings
Servings
8 servings
Ingredients
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Instructions
  1. Preheat oven to 475°F.
  2. Zest the two lemons.
  3. Mix zest in a small bowl with 4 tablespoons finely chopped rosemary, 2 tablespoons minced garlic, 1 tablespoon lemon juice, 2 tablespoons olive oil, salt and pepper.
  4. Place leg of lamb in roasting pan. Cut slits all over lamb and rub rosemary mixture over lamb, rubbing into slits.
  5. Place leg of lamb into oven for 20 minutes.
  6. Meanwhile, cut potatoes in half.
  7. Mix 2 tablespoons chopped rosemary, 1 tablespoon minced garlic, 1 tablespoon oil and 1/2 teaspoon salt. Sprinkle over potatoes and mix.
  8. Turn heat down to 350°F. Remove lamb from oven and place potatoes around lamb. Put back in oven and roast 40 – 50 minutes, stirring potatoes occasionally, until meat thermometer registers 140°F
  9. Remove from oven and let rest for 15 minutes.
  10. Transfer lamb to a cutting board and slice thin across the grain. Place on serving platter, surround with potatoes and garnish with parsley or a few rosemary sprigs.
Recipe Notes

A Color My food recipe

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Mushroom Barley Soup

More than a soup, this is a meal in itself—flavorful, filling, and nutrient-dense.

Mushrooms contain many disease fighting compounds.  Mushrooms and greens (spinach, kale, etc) together makes a powerful immune booster combination

[su_expanding_quote_book alignment=”full” source_author=”Joel Fuhrman, MD” source_title=”Super Immunity: The Essential Nutrition Guide for Boosting Your Body’s Natural Defenses” full_quote=”Mushrooms contain many unusual disease-fighting compounds that are just beginning to be understood. These immune-supporting ingredients empower the body to react quickly and powerfully when we are exposed to disease-causing pathogens such as viruses and bacteria. Mushroom phytochemicals may even be helpful for autoimmune-diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis and lupus because of their anti-inflammatory and immune-modulating effects.” short_quote=”Mushrooms contain many unusual disease-fighting compounds”]

The aroma of mushrooms and onions, the comfort of a pot simmering with healthy goodness on the stove, cupping my cold hands around a hot bowl and savoring the hearty soup with its chewy barley and harmony of vegetables…this is one of my favorite winter meals.

Variations:

  • Leeks instead of onions
  • Add 1 cup white beans, cooked or canned
  • Add 2 cups spinach or chopped kale
  • Add 1/4 cup fresh chopped herbs before serving (basil, dill, cilantro are some of my favorites
  • Add 8 oz jar of sun-dried tomatoes, chopped

Serve it with a nutrient-dense leafy green salad like Kale, Apple and Cranberry Salad with Pumpkin Seeds

Mushroom Barley Soup with White Beans
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Servings
8 servings
Servings
8 servings
Mushroom Barley Soup with White Beans
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Servings
8 servings
Servings
8 servings
Ingredients
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Instructions
  1. Heat olive oil in large pot over medium-high heat. Add mushrooms and onions; cook, stirring occasionally until onions are translucent
  2. Add carrots, celery, onion and barley. Sauté, stirring, about 10 minutes until vegetables soften.
  3. Stir in garlic and cumin. Gradually pour in broth. in broth. Bring soup to boil, stir.
  4. Reduce heat to medium-low, cover and simmer about 30 minutes until barley is tender.
  5. Add white beans, mixing and cook another 10 minutes or until barley is tender.
  6. Add spinach, mix in and cook just until barely wilted. Serve.
Recipe Notes

A CMF original recipe

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Lemon Roasted Green Beans

Sometimes the simplest foods are most enjoyable.

Roasting the green beans brings out a different texture and flavor than boiling or even steaming them. The lemon zest gives this dish a delightful zip.

Or punch up the color and micronutrients by adding red bell pepper.

For a change of flavor, add chopped fresh herbs when the green beans come out of the oven. Experiment with fresh basil, parsely or dill instead of the mint.

Asparagus can also be prepared this way, simply use in place of green beans.

Variations

  1. Add 1 red bell pepper, chopped and toss with green beans and minced garlic.
  2. Add 1/4 cup pine nuts (or chopped almonds) with the green beans and minced garlic
  3. Omit lemon juice and lemon zest and toss with 2 tablespoons finely chopped mint.

 

 

 

 

 

Lemon Roasted Green Beans
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Servings
8 servings
Servings
8 servings
Lemon Roasted Green Beans
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Servings
8 servings
Servings
8 servings
Ingredients
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Instructions
  1. Preheat to 450°F. Brush a baking dish with 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil.
  2. Combine green beans and minced garlic,. Drizzle with oil, and toss well.
  3. Roast vegetables 15 minutes. Mix. Continue roasting until green beans are tender about 10 more minutes.
  4. Remove from oven, toss with lemon juice and lemon zest.
  5. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
Recipe Notes

A Color My Food original recipe

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