Image: Jørgen Schyberg. CC NC, ND 2.0. Accessed November 13, 2014.
As the holiday season approaches, so do thoughts of holiday food. While calorie-rich comfort dishes such as turkey stuffing, mac’n’cheese, truffle oil mashed potatoes and in my household, Ina Garten’s Beef Bourguignon have their place at the table, there is room for healthier sides, especially veggie sides that are easy to throw together for holiday gatherings.
Enter, the festive red cabbage, the second star in our Perricone Diet Series. As previously discussed, eating a wide variety of colorful foods is a central part of the Perricone Diet, which its creator, Dr. Perricone, claims can help fight the signs of aging and improve overall health. Red cabbage fits right into the colorful array of recommended foods.
A member of the cruciferous family of vegetables, red cabbage is a health aficionado’s dream: low in fat, high in protein and fiber. One cup of red cabbage contains 56 percent of the recommended daily intake of vitamin C and 32 percent of the recommended intake of vitamin A for adults. The benefits continue.
Flavonoids, which give red cabbage its distinctive dark color, also aid in protecting cells from free radical damage AKA aging. No wonder this amazing vegetable is a staple of the Perricone Diet. Studies have also shown that the consumption of red cabbage can prevent the growth of tumors of certain types of cancer, read more about that here.
Cabbage rolls aside, there are countless ways to prepare red cabbage. Read on for our holiday favorites!
Image: Kale Slaw, by Tracy Benjamin. CC NC, ND 2.0. Accessed November 13, 2014.
Braised Red Cabbage: slice into chunks and cook in your favorite fat of choice: butter, avocado oil, sunflower oil, bacon. Cook until shiny and then braise with your choice of liquid (apple cider, vinegar, chicken broth) until soft. If you prefer a fancier braise, check out Jaime Oliver’s recipe for red cabbage with apple, bacon and balsamic vinegar.
Red Cabbage Salad: red cabbage make an excellent companion to kale, apple, carrot and a host of other vegetables; it’s also a star on its own as well. Try this red cabbage salad with blue cheese and maple-glazed walnuts or this festive red cabbage salad with apples and beets.
Our absolute favorite, it this recipe for mulled red cabbage with clementine. With only 15 mins of active prep time required, you will have lots of time left to stud a lemon slice with cloves for a hot toddy.
Still thinking of salmon? Read the first installment of the Perricone Diet Series here.
