Cruciferous Challenge and Cauliflower Tabbouleh with Preserved Lemons.

Cruciferious is a fancy name for the family of vegetables known to botanists as Cruciferae or alternately, Brassicaceae.Like most other vegetables, cruciferous vegetables are good sources of a variety of nutrients and phytochemicals that may work synergistically to help prevent cancer.Read more about it here.

For Health Nut Challenge 5 lets get cooking with the crucial to the diet,Cruciferious veggies. Here are 2 simple steps to participate in the challenge :

1.Create a uniquely healthy side dish,soup,salad or main entree ,with one or more of the following Cruciferious vegetables :

* Kale
* Collard Greens
* Broccoli
* Cauliflower
* Cabbage
* Brussels sprouts
* Kohlrabi
* Turnip
* Radish
* Bok Choy
* Arugula
* Water cress.


2.Leave the link of your post in the comments section(by April 30th) while also mentioning in your post about the Health nut challenge.Old entries can be recycled,I just need the different ideas to incorporate these vegetables in everyday cooking.

Cauliflower Tabbouleh

Often times I have to think beyond curries to get my family interested in eating vegetables.The tabbouleh is an earthy Middle eastern salad made with bulgur,cucumber and lots of parsley.Cauliflower further enhances the nutrition of the salad.I add preserved lemons for a tangy bite to the salad.


Recipe adapted from Diabetic Cooking

Ingredients
1/2 a head of medium cauliflower,separate the florets
3/4 cup Bulgur wheat(can also use quinoa or roasted buckwheat)
1 cup flat leaf or curled parsley
1 small onion ,finely chopped
1 clove garlic
1/4 teaspoon cumin seeds
1/2 a medium preserved lemon(recipe follows),chopped
1 teaspoon black pepper,freshly ground
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1 tablespoon Extra virgin olive oil

Method
Bring 2 cups of water to a boil,add salt and bulgur wheat.Cook until tender about 15-20 minutes,drain excess water.
Coarsely grind the cauliflower,garlic and parsley in a food processor.Heat oil in a pan on medium,saute onion and cumin seeds for a minute,add the ground cumin and processed cauliflower mixture.Cook only for 4-5 minutes until tender.Mix in the cooked bulgur wheat.Turn off the heat and mix in the preserved lemons.Serve warm or cold on a bed of dark leafy greens like romaine lettuce or kale.

Moroccan Preserved Lemons

The preserved lemons are an quint essential relish of Moroccan cooking.The pickled lemons add a delicious tang to any salad,stew or entree.
Recipe adapted from Alia's Moroccan cooking video.
Ingredients
6 fresh lemons,rinsed
1/4 cup of salt
1 sterilized jar that can fit all the lemons

Method

Step 1 Cut off any stems of the lemons.Using a sharp knife cut vertically, not all the way to the bottom,make sure the base is still attached.Turn the lemon upside down.Cut again vertically while keeping the base intact.
Step 2. Use a teaspoon and stuff about 1/2 teaspoon of salt on each of the slit of the lemon.Repeat with rest of the lemons.Place in a sterilized jar,make sure all lemon are snug in the jar.Sprinkle another teaspoon of salt over the top.
Step 3 Keep in a dark cool corner of the house for 4 days.Then remove only to check if the juices have started to flow out in the lemons.Return to the corner and keep another month until lemons are all soft and pickled.Every week in between ,swirl the bottle to make sure all the lemons are submerged in juices.
Once pickled can be store in refrigerator for up to 3 months.Before using,discard seeds, rinse in cold water to remove the excess salt.Dice or slice,use in salads ,stews,tagines or Whole grain entrees.



The preserved lemons are my entry for Awed Africa,hosted by PJ of Seduce your taste buds



Thank you for the overwhelming response to Health nut Challenge 4.Hope to post the round up soon.

Comments

Unknown said…
Delicious take on the cruciferious veggie and the lip-smacking preserved lemons.I'm going to try the cauli tabbouleh soon.
Ann said…
Cauliflower in Tabbouleh? Now that is inventive! Bravo!
Sarah said…
The preserved lemons are one of my favorite relishes,thanks for the recipe.I'm off to get a bag of fresh lemons =)
Sarah said…
Preserved lemons are one of my favorite relishes,thanks for the recipe.I'm off to get a bag of fresh lemons =)
Anonymous said…
Fantastic idea! I have to try the cauliflower in tabbouleh.
So fresh and tasty! I love the idea!

Cheers,

Rosa
Priya Suresh said…
Cauliflower tabbouleh looks marvellous, fantastic theme again Yas..will try to send my entries soon..
Rachana said…
Cauliflower Tabbouleh is surely innovative:) Fantastic!
Simplyfood said…
Lovely event will send an entry soon.
Joie de vivre said…
I can't wait to see the round up. I'll think about an entry!
Cool Lassi(e) said…
Dear,
The cauliflower tabbouleh looks very innovative and might I say pleasing to the eye. I have only heard of a bulgur variation. Count me in for your next event.
Melissa said…
Tangy indeed I use preserved lemons in salads.
CurryLeaf said…
Yum The tabbouleh and esp the preserved tangy lemon :P is droolworthy and definitely healthy.Love the next challenge Yasmeen.will surely participate
Lori said…
Just catching up on my reading and I've missed a ton of great recipes! We have been eating a lot of cruciferious lately, a great challenge.
Tina said…
Beautiful clicks dear..Sounds healthy and innovative.
Sarah Naveen said…
Thats a new idea for me..looks so fresh and yummy
Muneeba said…
oooo .. another new idea .. and look at the pretty cauliflower, my goodness! I've only recently started to appreciate cauliflower, but erm, ahem, it was fried ;)
Namitha said…
Cool...that's so innovative..looks too tempting :-)
Ooooh, gorgeous salad and a fun challenge, Yasmeen. I'll send you my recipe/s soon.
siddharth said…
Wish that preserved lemon pops out of the screen.I'm a sucker for tangy foods.
Cham said…
Interesting recipe with bulgur and cauli!
I happen to love all cruciferious veggie, so eating them is not a problem in my house. I'm planning to make preserved lemons sometime soon, I've heard they are incredible.
Anonymous said…
Cauliflower Tabbouleh sounds very unique and delicious, an excellent idea!
Ivy said…
What a coincidence. I am preparing a traditional Cypriot recipe today using cauliflower. It's quite a "tricky" recipe, so if it works I will surely participate.
Your tabbouleh sounds very interesting to try and preserved lemons is something I have been planning to make for quite a long time. When I get some organic lemons shall surely make it.
Hayley said…
Lovely event and intresting Cauliflower tabbouleh....
That is a nice recipe! I'm going to take on the cruciferious challenge :)
Prav said…
This is a very good and healthy post i think. Good to write and share about. Have a great writing and have a great readership. Thanks...
Anonymous said…
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Lori said…
Just made something that would work today. Here's my entry - http://www.fakefoodfree.com/2010/03/nutty-cauliflower-quinoa.html
Deepa G Joshi said…
That's a wonderful recipe. Very tempting I must say. Great clicks as well.

Thanks for lemon how to cut instruction as well.
tasteofbeirut said…
Thanks for the posting on lemon; now I have no more excuse not to do it! Love your tabbouleh! (ps the authentic one does not have any cucumber!)
Have a great weekend !
Anonymous said…
Happy I found your blog. The pickles seems realy interesting. I'll surely give it a shot!
The cruciferious vegetables are always on my shopping cart in the winter months. So healthy... Also, your tabbouleh looks so healthy!
Niloufer Riyaz said…
What a beautiful blog you have!
This is my entry for your wonderful event:
http://kitchensamraj.blogspot.com/2010/03/crunchy-murmure-chat.html
notyet100 said…
nice theme will try to send in something
saveur said…
Hi Yasmeen,
Your dish looks delicious.
Here is a link to my submission:
http://tastespace.wordpress.com/2010/03/20/tofu-hoisin-with-baby-bok-choy/
Niloufer Riyaz said…
Salams, yasmeen again a simple dish for your creative event:
http://kitchensamraj.blogspot.com/2010/03/cauliflower-in-yoghurt.html
T3 said…
I liked your Cauliflower Tabbouleh recipe so much I have passed it along to several friends. I love the way you used fresh lemons. Where we live we don't have ready access to fresh lemons so I order them online at http://www.buy-lemons-online.com/ which delivers fresh lemons picked right off the tree and shipped direct. I just went to the the website and I notice that they also have Moroccan Preserved Lemons. A question I have regarding your recipe is what kind of lemons do you use? Eureka lemons? Or Lisbon lemons? Also, do you have any recipes for Sweet Meyer Lemons?
Thanks a million for these terrific tips
T3
Yasmeen said…
Thanks for your entries Umm Razeen and Saveur :D
T3,glad you like the recipe.Not sure about the kind,I'm guess these are California grown Eureka Lemons :D
Gita Jaishankar said…
Hi Yasmeen, I have reposted 2 recipes for this event.

My link is
http://gitaskitchen.blogspot.com/2010/03/reposts-for-events.html

Take care.
Kiran said…
Dear Yasmeen,A very healthy collection of recipes.I love cruciferous veggies and would like to participate in the event.I am reposting recipes in the archive for this event.Please find them here:
http://kiranjay.blogspot.com/2010/03/reposting-for-event-participation.html

Thank you,
Kiran
Kiran said…
Hi Yasmeen,
I could not find the comment that I wrote earlier showing my interest in participation for this event and I reposted my entries and pasted the URL with the comment.
I am writing back to you again to make sure you received my recipe url with my previous comment.
Please let me know if you received it or not.If not I will resend.

Thank you,
Kiran(http://kiranjay.blogspot.com)
Anonymous said…
Yasmeen,

Here is my entry for the event, cabbage pachadi

http://myspicykitchen.wordpress.com/2010/03/31/cabbage-pachadi/

Nice event!
Niloufer Riyaz said…
Yasmeen, Here is my entry for your event:
http://kitchensamraj.blogspot.com/2010/04/broccoli-soy-pulkas.html
Hey yasmeen, love this cauliflower tabbouleh, i go crazy for this crunchy flower.
Had a post in my blog done last month, reposting it for this event

http://a-lifestyle-change.blogspot.com/2010/03/cauliflower-pepper-stir-fry.html
Priya Suresh said…
Hi Yas..

Am sending my entries for HC5th event..

1)Nutty Cabbage Salad- http://priyaeasyntastyrecipes.blogspot.com/2010/04/nutty-cabbage-salad.html

2)Pepper Cabbage Dal - http://priyaeasyntastyrecipes.blogspot.com/2010/04/pepper-cabbage-dal.html

3)Cabbage Almond Kheer - http://priyaeasyntastyrecipes.blogspot.com/2010/04/cabbage-almond-payasam-kheer.html

4)Japanese Cabbage Pancake - http://priyaeasyntastyrecipes.blogspot.com/2010/04/japanese-cabbage-pancake.html

Hope everything suits prefectly for this event..else let me know..

Thanks
Priya
nisha said…
Hi Yasmeen

Here is my entry : Kale Junka
http://nishaskitchen.blogspot.com/2010/04/kale-junka-kale-cooked-with-chickpea.html
Unknown said…
Yasmeen, here is my recipe for the event.
http://mharorajasthanrecipes.blogspot.com/2010/04/phool-gobhi-aur-kasoori-methi-ki-sabzi.html

I love love love your Cauliflower Tabbouleh recipe.
Umm Mymoonah said…
Salams Yasmeen, Nice healthy theme. Here is my entry to your wonderful event.
http://tasteofpearlcity.blogspot.com/2010/04/cauliflower-adai-and-kale-green-chutney.html
Umm Mymoonah said…
Salams Yasmeen, My another recipe for your event.http://tasteofpearlcity.blogspot.com/2010/04/garlic-and-kale-naan.html
Suma Gandlur said…
Yasmeen, I am sending over my Kohlrabi Sambhar for the event.
URL is http://veggieplatter.blogspot.com/2010/04/kohlrabi-sambhar-knol-khol-sambhar.html
harini-jaya said…
First time here..Great recipes..

Our entries to ur wonderful event..

1. Baked Brussel Sprouts
http://tamalapaku.blogspot.com/2010/04/baked-brussel-sprouts.html

2. Cabbage Kootu
http://tamalapaku.blogspot.com/2010/04/cabbage-kootu.html
Unknown said…
Hey Yasmeen..

Here is my entry for your event
http://personaltadka.blogspot.com/2010/04/cabbage-parathas.html

Its about Cabbage :)
Padmajha said…
Hi Yasmeen,I will defiantly send u some entries.Cauliflower Tabbouleh looks delish and so do the preserved lemons.I am hosting AWED African this month and if u are interested u can send in preserved lemons for my event..
Simplyfood said…
simply.food

http://simplysensationalfood.blogspot.com/

Cabbage Rice

Recipe URL-http://simplysensationalfood.blogspot.com/2010/04/cabbage-rice.html
Meena said…
Hi there Yasmeen,

Here is my entry for this Cruciferous Challenge: Traditional South Indian Cauliflower Side-dish aka Cauliflower Podimas and the link is:

http://southernspiceworld.blogspot.com/2010/04/back-to-grassroots-of-south-indian.html
Hai Nice event.. I am sending following recipes to your event..

http://www.vidhya-ravikumar.co.cc/2010/04/cabbage-pakoda.html

http://www.vidhya-ravikumar.co.cc/2010/01/mixed-vegetable-sabzi.html
Hai.. i am sending another recipe to your event..

http://www.vidhya-ravikumar.co.cc/2010/01/mixed-vegetable-kurma.html
Priya Suresh said…
Hi Yas..

Here is my 2more entries..

1)Baked Oats Crusted Broccoli Patties: http://priyaeasyntastyrecipes.blogspot.com/2010/04/baked-oats-crusted-broccoli-patties.html

2)Carrot & Cabbage Halwa: http://priyaeasyntastyrecipes.blogspot.com/2010/04/carrot-cabbage-halwa.html

Thanks
Priya
CurryLeaf said…
Hi Yasmeen,Here's my entry : Creamy Cauliflower Mash :
http://tastycurryleaf.blogspot.com/2010/04/creamy-cauliflower-mash.html
harini-jaya said…
Here is another entry from us..

http://tamalapaku.blogspot.com/2010/04/baked-broccoli.html
Hi Yasmeen,

Here is another recipe using bok choy:
http://tastespace.wordpress.com/2010/04/26/chilled-soba-with-baby-bok-choy-snow-peas-spinach-and-tofu/
Anonymous said…
waow, this cauliflower tabbouleh looks delicious and it is a brilliant & creative idea for a pic-nic or summer dinner!
Here is my entry for the Crucial Cruciferous challenge: A cabbage and tofu "millefeuille".
http://sweetartichoke.wordpress.com/2010/02/25/cabbage-and-tofu-millefeuille-cake/
Yasmeen said…
Thanks you all for the crucial contributions :D
Cooking Foodie said…
Hi Yasmeen, here is my entry for the event
http://cookingfoodie.blogspot.com/2010/04/khariyu-cabbage-stir-fry.html
sangeeta said…
just saw someone sending an entry here......i missed so many things in the recent past.
i am trying to make it before 30th Apr as i have so many crucifer recipes in a drafts.
sangeeta said…
http://healthfooddesivideshi.blogspot.com/2010/04/tomato-salsa-salad-with-arugula.html

this is my entry to the challenge Yasmeen .... i am quick this time n surprised myself...:)
Hi Yasmeen hope i am not too late to contribute. Here is my link: http://mykitchenantics.blogspot.com/2010/04/brussels-sprouts-cooked-with-grated.html
LK said…
You have a beautiful blog! Here is my entry: Potato & Cauliflower Soup
http://palatedesires.blogspot.com/2010/04/potato-cauliflower-soup-microwave.html
LK said…
One more...Cabbage & Peas curry: http://palatedesires.blogspot.com/2010/04/cabbage-peas-curry.html
Nithu Bala said…
Dear Yasmeen, Here goes my entries...
http://www.nithubala.com/2010/04/cauliflower-orange-salad.html
http://www.nithubala.com/2010/04/cabbage-and-beans-curry.html
http://www.nithubala.com/2010/02/mixed-vegetables-and-fruits-salad.html
http://www.nithubala.com/2010/02/brocoli-cauliflower-spinach-and-lima.html
http://www.nithubala.com/2010/03/apple-and-red-cabbage-soup.html
Nithu Bala said…
One more entry..
Cauliflower Gravy : http://www.nithubala.com/2010/04/cauliflower-gravy.html
notyet100 said…
hi there
my entry for ur event
http://asankhana.blogspot.com/2010/04/shadi-ki-thaliya.html
cheers
TAZAIKA said…
Salam yasmeen hope doing gr8 some entry for ur event.
http://foodscapital.blogspot.com/
http://foodscapital.blogspot.com/2010/04/chicken-brocolli-with-goodness-of.html
tk care
Swathi said…
Yasmeen,

My entry is

http://kitchenswathi.blogspot.com/2010/04/gobi-gajar-masalacauliflower-carrot.html
Lemon Tree said…
Preserved lemons are to die for. I think adding cauliflower to tabbouleh is a brilliant idea also.
Janine
Agoura Hills, CA
Caviar Salmon said…
Is there any difference in the health properties of preserved lemons vs. fresh lemons? Also, in terms of flavor and healthiness does it matter whether they are Lisbon lemons, Eureka lemons or Meyer lemons?
Thanks,
Cav
Chatsworth, CA

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