I Spy....Vegetables and Legume Recipes: Ingredients 201

photo via P90x website

In setting out to inform the masses (you all :) about what new things to try/ buy from the store, it occurred to me that I can't just tell you about the ingredients without tempting you to try them in a recipe. So today, I will be featuring different sites' recipes for Veggies and Legumes in the second installment of my "Ingredients" series (Ingredients 101, here).

Let's talk vegetables! Our mom's always said to eat them, but they never quite rivaled the promised dessert you would get to eat if you simply ate more veggies. I'm glad to have grown out of that phase; wanting the "treat" over the health. I must say that over the last couple of years, I have fallen in love with vegetables of all kinds, from raw to baked, to sauteed. And from time to time, I'll come up with a "treat" recipe for them. Here are some vegetables by category, and don't forget to check out the recipes for each one that are out there in the blogosphere.

Cruciferous (Brassicas, etc)

• Cabbage (Napa, Chinese, Savoy, Red, White) - try this coleslaw
  
• Kale (Laciniato/ Dinosaur, Curly leafed) - "Chips" made from this
  
• Collard Greens
• Brussels Sprouts - Gratin made with these, I will be trying this with GF crumbs and Daiya cheese and coconut milk :)
  
• Kohlrabi - Raw "Fries" made from this- I have tried this recipe before, not too bad
  
• Broccoli
• Cauliflower - I happened to stumble upon this raw recipe for Mexican "Rice" with this - made it tonight and it was great, my husband (a non-raw eater) asked for seconds
  
• Bok Choy - great sauteed!
  
• Radishes (Red, Daikon)
• Arugula
• Watercress
• Turnips, and their greens
• Rutabaga - I make this into mashed potatoes, topping with Turkey Bacon and Chives
  

Other “Leafies”

• Endive
• Lettuce (Iceberg, Romaine, Butter, etc)
• Spinach - GF Pastry Puffs with this
  
• Swiss Chard -GF Black Bean Chilli w/ Butternut Squash and this
  
• Sprouts (Pea, Broccoli, etc)
• Mache
• great with this dressing from this post
  

Bulbs and Stems (Root Veg)

• Asparagus
• Celery
• Fennel
• Garlic
• Onion
• Shallots
• Leeks

Other “Root” Vegetables

• Carrot
• Beet
• Yams
• Jícama- I have made this recipe many times, and it's always best the second day
  
• Sweet Potatoes (Purple, White, and Red) - be looking for a recipe for these coming soon :)
  
• Parsnip
• Potatoes (White, Russet, Yukon, Fingerling, Gold, etc)
• Ginger - Sweet Potato Soup with this done up in your slow cooker!, or try this in a tea here
  
• Water Chestnuts
• Taro root
• Galangal root - Great in Tom Kha Gai - this is the best recipe I have found out there, and I have made if for friends and family with rave reviews!
  
• Artichokes
  

“Fruits” That are called Vegetables

• Zucchini - Fritters or Latkes made from this
  
• Squash (Spaghetti, Butternut, Summer, Acorn, etc)- Black Bean Chili with this and Swiss Chard
  
• Tomato, tomatillos
• Eggplant - Curry with this and tomatoes
  
• Corn
• Sweet Peppers/ Bell Peppers
• Avocados
  
• Cucumber
• Pumpkin

Legumes (Podded Vegetables)

• Black-eyed Peas
• Chickpeas
• Fava Beans
• Green Beans
• Lentils (Red, Green, etc) – Curried Sweet Potato Pie with these
• Lima Beans
• Mung Beans – these, sprouted, are great in Pad Thai and these burgers
• Okra
• Peas
• Peanuts – If you’re not allergic, check these recipes out
• Soybeans
• Pinto Beans
• Black Beans - Chili with these, Butternut Squash, and Swiss Chard
• Red/ Kidney Beans – Yummy 3 bean salad with these, chickpeas, and black beans
• White/ Navy Beans – see this recipe for how to make cake with this

Most Vegetables I buy can be found at Whole Foods, Trader Joes, or Costco (although I have only found carrots and spinach that are organic). Also, try your local Asian or International market for some goods like Galangal root or bean sprouts for Thai and other Asian dishes.

Look around and check out those recipes, and don't be afraid to try something you never have or you thought you didn't like... your taste-buds may have changed since you were six :).

Happy Hunting,
Eryn