They are a good source of vitamin B and iron. Beets are a source of betalains, which have been shown to provide antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and detoxification support. B-vitamins have been shown to prevent brain atrophy. This soup is a delicious way to introduce beets into your family’s repertoire. Beet’s bright pigment can stain, so be careful!





Prep
6 large beets
2 shallots, finely chopped
½ inch fresh ginger, grated
2 limes, juiced
 
To roast beets, preheat oven to 350°.
 
Wash beets gently to leave skin in place. Trim, leaving an inch or so of the stem and taproot.  Place in a baking dish with about ½ cup water, cover and bake until soft, about 45 minutes. Allow to cool slightly, rub skin off and dice.
 
Peel and finely chop shallots. Grate ginger. Juice limes.

Soup
1 teaspoon cumin, ground
1 teaspoon coconut oil
1 quart (32 oz., or 4 cups) chicken or vegetable stock
1 15-oz. can coconut milk
2 tablespoons cilantro

 
Sauté shallots, cumin and ginger in coconut oil in a large soup pot over medium heat. When shallots are soft, add beets and stock. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer 5 minutes. Let cool slightly, then use an immersion blender or transfer to a blender to puree. Stir in coconut milk and lime juice.

Serve
Ladle into bowls, garnish with cilantro.
 
Preparation: 10 minutes, plus 45 for roasting
Serves: 4

Prep
1 pound shiitake mushrooms
3 limes
2 shallots
2 cloves garlic
1 cup cilantro
2 teaspoons salt
4 tilapia fillets

Prep mushrooms by wiping clean and slicing thinly.  Juice two limes and slice the other into wedges. Peel and thinly slice shallot. Peel and press or mince garlic. Roughly chop cilantro.
 
Mix salt and lime juice, pour over tilapia.

Fish
3 tablespoons coconut oil
2 teaspoon chile powder
1 teaspoon pepper

In a skillet, heat coconut oil and cook fish over medium heat 2-3 minutes on each side. Remove from pan and set aside.
 
Add shiitake mushrooms, shallot, salt, pepper, garlic and chile powder to skillet. Cook for another 2 or 3 minutes, or until mushrooms are soft.

Serve
4 cups mixed baby greens
 
Divide fillets among dishes, top with mushrooms. Serve on a bed of mixed baby greens. Garnish with a slice of lime and cilantro.
 
Preparation: 15 minutes
Serves: 2

Prep
1 cup brown rice
1½ cups vegetable broth
¼ cup pumpkin seeds
⅓ cup cilantro
1 cup spinach
1 clove garlic
½ cup celery
½ lemon
 
Cook rice in a medium saucepan with broth, according to package instructions. Allow to cool.
 
Toast pumpkin seeds in a dry skillet over medium heat, stirring occasionally.
 
Finely chop cilantro, spinach and garlic. Slice celery and lemon.

Assemble
3 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
1 tablespoon walnut oil
½ teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon ground pepper
¼ cup feta cheese
¼ cup dried cranberries

In a small bowl, combine oils, salt and pepper, whisk gently. In a large bowl, combine cilantro, spinach and garlic. Toss with oil mixture. Stir in celery, salt, pepper, and pumpkin seeds. Stir in rice. Sprinkle with feta and cranberries. Toss again right before serving.

Serve
Serve with a squeeze of lemon.
 
Preparation: 45 minutes
Serves: 4

Prep
1 large shallot
2 cloves of garlic
1 lime
1 can black beans, or 2 cups cooked beans
1 large sweet potato
1 bunch chard
1 avocado
¼ cup cilantro

Peel and finely chop shallot and garlic. Juice lime. Rinse and drain beans.  Grate sweet potato, leaving skin on.  Cut the chard leaves from the stems, set aside. Finely chop chard stems.  Peel, pit and slice avocado. Roughly chop cilantro.

Filling
1 tablespoon coconut oil
2 teaspoons curry powder
½ teaspoon turmeric
2 teaspoons cumin
½ teaspoon chili powder (optional)
Salt and pepper to taste
½ cup water

Sauté garlic and shallot in coconut oil until shallot is soft. Add spices and sauté a few minutes longer, stirring constantly.
 
Add sweet potatoes, chard stems, lime juice and water; cover and simmer until sweet potatoes are nearly done, adding more water if necessary and stirring occasionally. Add in black beans and continue to cook until beans are warm and liquid is gone.

Wraps
Rinse chard leaves, but don’t dry them.
 
Heat a dry skillet, place leaves individually or a few at a time on skillet and cover. They will steam with the water left on the leaves from rinsing. Watch them carefully; it only takes about a minute!

Serve
Wrap a few spoonsful of the filling in each leaf. Garnish with avocado and cilantro.
 
Preparation: 30 minutes
Serves: 4