Whether you’re kickstarting your health journey or looking for clever ways to add more vegetables to your children’s foods, there are plenty of unique and appetizing recipes utilizing microgreens.
Understandably, greens might not be your top choice when making any dish. However, you can conceal them in many recipes. Over time, you’ll begin to add more greens and appreciate their unique flavor profile.
Here are some of the best creative ways to incorporate microgreens into your cooking:
1 – Innovative Salads
Using microgreens in your salads might be the most straightforward way of enjoying these healthy vegetables. However, this doesn’t mean you’ll eat a bland green salad!
Instead, you can make a roasted salad with chickpeas, chicken, and a base of fresh arugula. On the other hand, a strawberry and spinach salad is an impressive recipe that makes eating microgreens enjoyable.
If you want to keep it simple, a Caprese salad with basil and mozzarella is heavenly delicious. To add some healthy fats to your salad and create a fully balanced meal, incorporate nuts and seeds into your dish.
2 – Pasta Sauce
Microgreens pair perfectly with pasta sauces. Not only do they add an interesting texture, but they can also enrich the flavor of the sauce.
One of the most popular sauces using microgreens as a main ingredient is pesto. You can go for basil or arugula.
The result is a creamy emulsion that the entire family will love. The best part is that pesto sauce will remain fresh in the fridge for up to a week!
If you’re not a fan of greens in your pasta, why not conceal the taste with a bunch of cheese? Creamy and cheesy Alfredo sauce allows you to hide plenty of greens without compromising the flavor.
Then, you have the simple yet mighty marinara sauce to which you might add basil, pea shoots, and broccoli.
3 – Smoothies
There’s a reason why many nutritionists recommend blending greens into your smoothies. For starters, you’ll get your fiber needs without crunching on plenty of vegetables. Instead, all you have to do is drink a delicious smoothie full to the brim with microgreens.
Keep in mind that microgreens have a strong flavor. So, if it’s your first time blending them into a smoothie, start with a small amount, and balance the bitter taste with plenty of sweet fruits.
Furthermore, make sure to enjoy the smoothies right after you blend them. Otherwise, they might separate, leading to an unpleasant texture.
4 – Pita Wraps
Most pita wrap recipes already have microgreens in the ingredients. That’s because these greens make for a satisfying crunch, pairing perfectly with the soft wrap.
The key to making exceptional pita wraps is layering. To keep all the wrap ingredients in place, start with the spread or condiment that will act as glue.
Then, the second layer should be the larger greens, such as lettuce, kale, or broccoli. Alternatively, you can chop the microgreens finely, adding them to a condiment or sauce. You can either load the wrap or dip it in the green sauce.
5 – Stir-Fry
Frying your vegetables might be a relatively unhealthy option, but it’s still a great way to add more greens to your diet. What easier way to prepare vegetables than a stir-fry?
Stir-fry is an excellent dish as you can add almost any vegetable to your noodles or rice base. Accordingly, it’s the ideal recipe if it’s time to clean out your fridge!
What’s more, beginners will love making stir-fry, as it’s foolproof. You only use the ingredients and seasonings you like, and taste as you go.
6 – Quiche
Quiche is a quintessential dish that includes plenty of microgreens. The reason is that the unique flavor and texture of quiche rely on the green vegetables.
Quiche might seem difficult to make at first, but the trick is to saute the vegetables before adding them to the filling mixture. Then, bake the quiche until the middle is just about to set.
This way, you’ll avoid having an overbaked quiche with mealy eggs and soggy vegetables.
7 – Toast
Start your day the right way by adding microgreens to your breakfast toast. The leafy vegetables are the perfect addition to any savory toast recipe, from avocado toast to eggs on toast.
The sky is your limit when topping your toast with microgreens. You don’t need to follow a recipe, but you’ll end up with a tasty and gratifying breakfast.
The great thing is that you’ll be using fresh greens, retaining all their vitamins and nutrients typically lost when cooked.
8 – Any Recipe!
Here’s the thing, a small amount of microgreens can go a long way. So, if you, or your kids, absolutely hate eating greens, they’re unnoticeable in several recipes. This way, you’ll get all the nutrients while still enjoying tasty dishes.
Concealing pea shoots, kale, or arugula on top of a burger will add a satisfying crunch. Moreover, you can blend microgreens into any soup, juice, or sauce without tasting a difference!
Why not take it a step further? Baking is another exceptional way to incorporate more greens into your diet. The next time you’re baking bread, just add a handful of greens to the dough.
Growing up with a mom who filled her home (inside and out) with all sorts of plants, Lisa got her start in gardening at a young age. Living now on her own with a home and yard full of plants (including an indoor greenhouse), she shares all the gardening tips she’s gained over the years.