Spring is one of my favorite seasons of the year, not only because it is the arrival of warmer weather and beautiful, blossoming flowers, but because I start looking forward to serving my favorite Spring veggies such as artichokes, sweet corn, fresh spinach, crisp green beans, Swiss chard, asparagus and broccoli. These spring veggies are delicious and each one packs a serious nutritious punch with each bite!
Artichokes: One gorgeous artichoke has 10 grams of fiber along with scores of folate and vitamin C.
Broccoli: One cup of these little green trees provides us 2 grams of fiber alongside a nice dose of vitamin A, folate and vitamin C.
Green Beans: Each cup of crispy green beans fills us up with 4 grams of fiber, a nice dose of omega 3’s, vitamin A, folate and calcium.
Spinach: These dark leafy greens are my favorite; they are loaded with antioxidants such as folate, vitamin C, beta carotene, omega 3 fatty acids and a fabulous dose of calcium.
Sweet Corn: Corn on the cob is one of the most delicious ways to enjoy sweet corn; each ear awards us 2 grams of fiber, a load of antioxidant phytochemicals and folate.
Swiss Chard: This dark leafy green comes in two fabulous colors: deep green as well as vibrant red. My favorite choice, however, is the rainbow chard, which makes each dish look incredibly colorful! These tasty leaves pack in 4 grams of fiber, a load of vitamin A and beta carotene, as well as vitamin C, calcium and folate.
Here is a delicious spring veggie recipe that will satisfy your palate and get you ready for the warmer weather.
Sautéed Spring Veggies and Goat Cheese
Ingredients
• 1 Bunch Swiss Chard
• 1 Bunch Asparagus
• ¼ cup Dried Cherries
• 1 cup No-Salt added Vegetable broth
• 2 Tsp. Olive Oil
• ¼ cup Crumbled Goat Cheese
• ¼ cup Walnuts (Toast by lightly browning in a nonstick frying pan over medium heat, stir frequently)
• 1 Tsp. Minced Garlic
Directions
• Slice Swiss chard into thin strips. Cut ends off of both asparagus and Swiss chard. Rinse and drain well. Add to a skillet with 1 cup of vegetable broth. Cook for 5 minutes. Drain well.
• Add olive oil to the same skillet over medium-high heat. Add garlic and stir. Add asparagus and Swiss chard; sauté for 3 minutes.
• Transfer asparagus and Swiss chard to a serving dish. Top with toasted walnuts, dried cherries and crumbled goat cheese.
• Enjoy!
So, as this beautiful spring weather starts to arrive, be sure to check out your local farmer’s market and pick up some of these luscious spring vegetables. I hope each of you enjoys my Sautéed Spring Vegetable and Goat Cheese recipe above. Send me a comment and let me know your thoughts! I would love to hear from you.
As I mentioned previously, I am a Nutritionist with a passion for cooking, baking and healthy living in the Big Apple of NYC. My Nutrition Counseling is a unique, exciting innovation in health and nutrition. While most dietitians dwell on calories, carbohydrates, fats, proteins, restrictions and lists of good and bad foods, I work with my clients to create a happy, healthy life in a way that is flexible, fun and free of denial and discipline. No one diet works for everyone, therefore I will guide you to find the food and lifestyle choices that best support you. I will also help you make gradual, lifelong changes that enable you to reach your current and future health goals.
Contact me today at thehealthyapple@gmail.com for a free health consultation. We will discuss your unique situation in depth and determine how I can help you reach your personal goals. Aside from Nutrition Counseling, I also provide Menu Planning, Personal Shopping/Food Store Tours/ Cooking Parties and In-Home Demonstrations.
Thank you Ashley for asking me to guest post on your blog today. Have a wonderful day everyone- I hope the sun is shining wherever you are!
All the Best,
The Healthy Apple
http://thehealthyapple.wordpress.com/
