Kelp has replaced kale as the superfood de rigeur. Here are 5 ways to enjoy it
Kelp, also known as seaweed, doesn’t just decorate the ocean floor. This vegetable is a nutritional powerhouse with countless health benefits. A natural source of Vitamins A, B1, B2, C, D and E, as well as minerals including zinc, iodine, magnesium, iron, potassium and copper, kelp also contains the highest natural concentration of calcium of any food – 10 times more than milk. Here’s how to incorporate it into your diet:
1Drink it in a smoothie
Throw a teaspoon of powdered seaweed into your preferred smoothie combo and adjust the amount as you get used to it. Try it with almond milk, honey, kale, and bananas or berries.
2Mix it into a salad
Cut up the kelp into thin slices. Then, boil it in a pot of hot water and mix it in a bowl with light soy sauce, vinegar, chopped scallions, chopped chili peppers and chopped garlic. Heat Chinese cooking oil until hot and then pour the hot oil over the salad and mix well.
3Stir it into your soup
While cooking your soup stock, toss in a few strips of Kombu or Wakame (both brown versions of seaweed that are often used to make miso soup), and strain it out along with the other ingredients. Do the same when cooking stew. Don’t fret if you leave any small pieces in; they’re edible and will add extra flavor to your meal.
4Use it as a wrap for your sushi
Nori is a red seaweed that can be purchased in dried sheets and is often used to make sushi rolls. When selecting it, make sure the sheets look shiny and feel firm to the touch. They should be dark green in color and have a brittle texture.
5Toss it into a casserole
Select kelp noodles at your local health foods store. They’re low in carbs and calories, making them a healthy plant-based alternative to pasta and grains. They have very little flavor but can add texture to any dish.
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