The benefits of endive
Endive is a healthy vegetable that looks very much like a salad, with the exception of its characteristic “curliness” and narrow leaves. The recipe from salad chicory I will definitely give below.
In general, salads based on fresh vegetables and herbs are an integral part of a healthy diet, especially in summer, when it is hot outside and the body is quickly dehydrated. I really love these dishes for their variety. There are practically no limits for imagination. Take the leaves as a basis and add whatever you want: beans, cereals, seafood, fish, nuts, fruits and vegetables. Create, change ingredients, find interesting options, add variety. Try to eat at least 4-5 servings of fresh vegetables and fruits per day. The body will thank you for this.
And if you want a new taste, I suggest adding salad chicory more often. And not only in salads. Because the beneficial properties of endive are truly impressive. And that’s why.
Spicy and bitter (almost like arugula), intibine gives the endive taste. This substance positively affects the activity of the digestive system, stimulates the pancreas and gall bladder, as well as the liver. Every day, she is forced to process a huge amount of toxins that come to us with food additives, pesticides, alcohol, etc.
Many factors affect our liver function, including our diet. And these foods, such as fresh vegetables and fruits, protein, green tea, garlic, turmeric, milk thistle, and, of course, endive, will help strengthen it.
In general, it is useful for the circulatory system.
Endive (or salad chicory) is rich in trace elements, especially copper. It also contains macronutrients potassium and magnesium: both are necessary for the health of our cardiovascular system.
As for vitamins, here the benefits of salad chicory are obvious. For example, it contains vitamin A, which is necessary for vision, as well as for the production of collagen. Or a vitamin B group, important, in particular, for the normal functioning of the nervous system, muscles and for many metabolic processes. And in endive – a huge amount of vitamin K (phylloquinone).
Finally, almost 4 grams of dietary fiber, which you get with each serving of endive, will help you keep your blood sugar under control, as well as promote healthy digestion.
Endive in cooking
I repeat: endive can be used not only in salads. Darker leaves are ideal for stewing or steaming.
Endive can be cut into narrow strips and added to the soup. And it also produces a refreshing and very healthy juice.
Useful recipes from endive
You will find several recipes with endive in my application. In the meantime, I found another recipe with this wonderful plant – and I want to share it with you:
Pear, Ginger and Endive Juice
Ingredients:
pear – 1 pc.,
endive – 1 pc.,
ginger – 1 piece 2.5 cm long,
cucumber – 1 pc.,
lemon – 1/2 pcs.
Cooking
Peel the lemon and ginger.
Remove the seeds from the pear.
Cut all the ingredients into medium-sized pieces.
Mix all the ingredients in a blender or pass through a juicer.
Using endive in cooking is a fresh decision to bring in a new flavor that will diversify your table and give you new sensations.
