Greens

Green  Vegetables


Savoy Cabbage

Most of us have memories of disliking greens when we were little.  I did not like the dark leaves of green cabbage.  There is a dish in Java that is made out of it- 'gudeg cabbage';  however, I don't mind it now.

I cook beautiful dishes from the savoy cabbage; the whole cabbage stuffed with chestnuts if they are in season;  Cabbage rolls, Sauté cabbage, Cabbage soup, and Cabbage salads.

Snake beans, green beans are good for green curries. Green vegetables braised in coconut milk - sayur lodeh,  is my cooking today.

Snake Beans

Lodeh Kacamg Lanjaran-Snake Beans and Green Vegetables Braised in Coconut Milk

Snake Beans and Vegetables
Braised in Coconut Milk

Leafy greens such as lettuce, endives, baby spinach, they are lovely for salads and delicious for cooking.  Silver beets, cabbages, Chinese greens, are suitable for cooking stir-fry.
I cooked iceberg lettuce in butter it was so fresh, light but nutty.

Iceberg Lettuce

Sautéd Iceberg Lettuce in Butter

Endives

Green vegetables are very nutritious.  Leaf vegetables are typically low in calories, low in fat high in protein,  high in dietary fibre,  high in iron and calcium, and very high in vitamin C, as well as Vitamin K.

Green pandan leaves are good for flavouring savoury dishes and also for sweets.  Most dishes from South East Asia use this green; from fragrant rice to cakes.

Showing off the colour of Pandan Cake

Petit Pandan Cakes

Green herbs; coriander, leeks, basils, thymes, sages, rosemaries, parsley, chives and dills are playing a big part in cooking. From bouquet garni, herbs scones, bread, salads, stews, curries, pesto to garnishes.

Fresh Dills

Bouquet Garni



Green chillies, green capsicums, green tomatoes, and beans are essential for green curries.  Every Country has its own green curries.  I am sharing a recipe from Java, it is a very simple curry, but so delicious.  It does not need a complicated curry paste, only fresh herbs and spices.

Green apple salad is very ravishing; slice Granny Smith apple, shredded coss lettuce, mix with chopped fresh coriander and citrus dressing.
It is excellent to serve with BBQ pork and any fried crumbed meat, chicken or fish.

 Coriander   -   Coss Lettuce   -   Coriander

       

Lodeh Kacang Lanjaran ( Snake Beans braised in Coconut milk)

Ingredients:

Herbs and Spices

2 green chillies

1 green capsicum, sliced thinly

1 shallot, slice thinly

2 cloves of garlic, sliced thinly

1 small slice galangal

1 little piece palm sugar

salt to taste

1 cup of water

1 bunch green snake beans, cut into 5cm length

Mix fresh greens: cabbage, lettuce, green beans

1 cup sliced tempeh

2 cups of coconut milk

tablespoon fish sauce

Method:

Place all the herbs and spice in a pot, add in water

Cook the herbs and spices over medium heat until releasing the fragrances

Add the tempeh and vegetables, and the coconut milk

Braise for 10 minutes, uncovered, stir it from time to time.

To serve: Serve with steamed white rice

The green vegetables

The cooking

I hope you enjoy this post about the greens.  Green is fresh and healthy.

Until Next Time

Susy