ahem, back to vegetable recipes...

There is a great book called "Meals that Heal" which is part cookbook, but mostly fascinating book on nutraceuticals (nutritious compounds in foods) and how to get them in real food (as opposed to supplements). The author worked in a lab researching how to isolate these compounds then decided scientists often miss the point: that Mother nature packages these nutrients in a far better way than a laboratory, and adds a certain synergy (call it "life") that cannot be duplicted.

One of my favorite ways to eat broccoli comes from the Moosewood cookbook; it is called "Broccoli and Friends":

Saute finely chopped onion and broccoli with basil and thyme, salt and pepper, in butter. Add water to steam the broccoli along.

Put the veggies on a slice of hearty sourdough or wholegrain bread (you can toast it lightly first if you want). Top with grated cheddar cheese (or cheese of your choice; goat cheese would probably be lovely, too). Broil until cheese bubbles. Eat with knife and fork. YUM!

I like greens prepared the way my dad used to: steam them til just wilted, then top with butter, salt, pepper and a bit of red wine vinegar...or lemon juice. Fresh picked spinach, kale, beet greens, Swiss Chard, and dandelion greens are all fabulous this way.

Oh, and does anyone want my Cream of Nettles Soup recipe?