I'm all about greens these days.
Since the New Year, I have been going without refined sugar, and skipping most dairy. As an always-hungry omnivore, I resist restrictions in my diet like a petulant child being told to put down the candy. But once in a while, I just get to the point where my body needs a break. When one glance at a butter cookie starts to make to make my belly ache, it's time to switch things up. Amazingly, my biggest craving right now is for greens, and I'm not gonna fight a desire that's this healthy.
Last post, I shared a Breakfast Salad (Greens for breakfast? Yes, please!). Now, I have another recipe for you that packs a healthy punch. Dandelion greens are high in antioxidants, as well as Vitamin A, Potassium, and Vitamin Κ.*
(Plus, I love an excuse to photograph Meyer lemons from the little tree in my backyard....)
INGREDIENTS adapted from Heidi Swanson's Super Natural Every Day
(printable recipe)
- 2 cups cooked garbanzo beans, drained and rinsed
- 4 cups dandelion greens, washed and stems trimmed ( I think mustard greens would be good too)
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 4 cloves garlic, chopped
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes
- zest of one lemon
- juice of one small tangerine
- sea salt
Once all your ingredients are prepped, get out a large saute pan, and place it on the stove top. Pour in olive oil, garlic and red pepper flakes. Turn heat to medium. Once the garlic sizzles a bit without browning, add the greens. Toss everything a few times with tongs to coat the greens with the warm oil. Cover pan with a lid and cook for 2 minutes or until tender.
Add the wilted greens to your bowl of garbanzos. Stir. (I liked using my hands to mix everything together.) At this point I strayed from the original recipe and added the juice of a fresh tangerine: the sweetness of the citrus helps to temper the bitterness of the greens. Add sea salt to taste. Top with lemon zest.
Serve and enjoy. I ate this dish all on its own as a satisfying lunch. I also bet it would be delicious served over quinoa or other healthy grain.
*source on nutritional facts on mustard greens
