Creating a Balanced Diet Microgreens and herbs are an addition to your diet that will give flavor, color, and nutrition. These nutrient-dense foods help give important vitamins and antioxidants. Adding freshness to a simple dish makes it special.
Why Include Microgreens and Herbs in Your Diet?
Microgreens and herbs are concentrated packages of nutrients, perking up not only a variety of dishes but fitting into a wide range of cuisines. Microgreens, harvested at the early stage of plant growth for crops like broccoli, radish, and peas, have their nutrient content preserved. Fresh herbs, like basil, parsley, and mint, imbue dishes with fragrance and depth, while offering their own unique sets of beneficial plant compounds. All these greens easily introduce variety and nutritional value when added regularly to your diet.
Fresh microgreens are grown with much care in Cooke County, TX. Want to add some vibrant greens in your diet? Explore our microgreens shop and pre-order now for the convenience of farm-to-table freshness in your kitchen.
How to Create a Balanced Diet with Microgreens into your Meals
Balanced meals don’t have to be complicated. With just a few tips and these fresh ingredients, you’ll be making healthy meals in no time. Here’s how:
Start with a base of whole grains and lean proteins
A balanced plate could begin with whole grains: brown rice, quinoa, or whole-grain pasta. Add a lean protein-grilled chicken, salmon, or legumes. Herbs and microgreens play their part well in lightly garnishing these foods with flavor and extra nutrition.
Example: Try adding a handful of sunflower microgreens and sprinkle some chopped parsley over a grain bowl with roasted veggies and chickpeas to round out your meal.
Amp Up Nutrition Density with Microgreens and Fresh Herbs
Microgreens are an interesting addition to just about anything-from sandwiches to soups, salads, and stir-fries. Because they are picked young, they have more vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants than the grown-up version. And herbs add in their own distinctive flavors and a bunch of beneficial compounds, including essential oils responsible for the antioxidant behavior.
Top a morning omelet with a handful of arugula microgreens and fresh basil for added flavor and extra nutrients.
Add Flavor with Fresh Herb Sauces and Dressings
Probably the most simple uses of herbs and microgreens are working them into homemade dressings, sauces, and pestos. Blended with a handful of basil, parsley, or cilantro, olive oil, lemon juice, and garlic make a fresh dressing just right for drizzling over grains, proteins, or roasted vegetables.
What’s more, a balanced diet with microgreens like mustard greens add a little spice to your dressing, hence bringing an unexpected twist to familiar flavors.
Getting the Best of Microgreens into Your Daily Meals
Microgreens are quite versatile and easily usable in many different ways. Here are a few simple ways to make them part of your daily cuisine:
- Salads: Mix microgreens together with your regular salad greens for a fresher variation. Combine them with herbs, like dill or mint, to add a touch of class.
- Wraps and Sandwiches: Add crunchy texture and a little peppery taste with microgreens like radish or pea shoots.
- Smoothies: It is rare to put sunflower shoots or wheatgrass in a smoothie, but it’s a good way to get added nutrition in one easy step.
- Egg Dishes: Sprinkle a handful of microgreens and fresh herbs over scrambled eggs, frittatas, or omelets for added color and flavor.
If you are around Cooke County, TX, then do not forget to taste our fresh homegrown microgreens, freshly picked right at your call. Locate our online microgreens shop to place your pre-orders and get the freshest greens possible.
Tips for Buying and Storing Microgreens and Herbs
You will get the best quality and flavor from fresh microgreens and herbs. Here are some tips for handling them:
- Buy Fresh: Bright, snappy microgreens are the best choice and tend to have no wilting. For herbs, bunches with solid, green leaves have optimal quality.
- Store Correctly: Microgreens are fragile. Store in the refrigerator in a sealed container. Loosely wrap herbs in a damp paper towel, then store in a crisper drawer.
- Use Quickly: Herbs like rosemary and thyme can hang around for several days, but as with most microgreens, if you want the best flavor and most nutrition, they are best used within a few days of purchase.
Using Microgreens and Herbs in Family-Friendly Meals
If you’re cooking for the family, microgreens and herbs are great for adding nutrition without overwhelming flavors. Children may especially enjoy the mild taste of sunflower microgreens or basil leaves in their favorite dishes.
- Pasta Toppings: Add fresh basil or parsley to pasta dishes. Sprinkle microgreens over pasta dishes for added crunch.
- Pizza Garnish: Sprinkle fresh microgreens, like arugula, on top of pizza after baking for a gourmet touch.
- Smoothie Bowls: Blend a few microgreens into your smoothies for a new spin. Sunflower shoots have a mild enough flavor and mix well with fruits.
Meal Inspiration: Microgreens and Herb-Rich Recipes
Try new recipes as a fun way to incorporate these nutritious greens into your meal. Get started with a few ideas here:
- Pesto Pasta with Herb and Microgreens: Toss your favorite pasta in a pesto made from basil, parsley, and a handful of arugula microgreens.
- Veggie Grain Bowl: Create a colorful bowl of cooked quinoa, roasted veggies, topped with a handful of spicy radish microgreens.
- Avocado Toast with Microgreens: Smear mashed avocado on toast, top it with sunflower microgreens, and a sprinkle of sea salt. It makes for a mouth-watering breakfast option.
Elevate with Balanced Diet Microgreens and Herbs in Your Meals
Adding microgreens and herbs to everyday meals not only flavors but also gives them that nutritional element to complete a meal. These vibrant greens are easy to incorporate into any meal, whether you’re looking to boost a smoothie in the morning, garnish a soup, or make a colorful salad. If you are in Cooke County, TX, enjoy the freshest microgreens grown when you order. Browse our microgreens shop to pre-order your batch and bring farm-to-table right to your door.
Kick-start with these power-packed greens that raise the flavor and nutritional quotient of any meal so effortlessly. Why wait? Dive in fresh with these options for a delicious wholesome upgrade today!