Tatsoi with Mushrooms and Indian Spices

I know many of you are wondering what tatsoi is....it's not something you regularly see in the grocery store or even farmers markets.  But I got a bunch of it from the CSA this week and was not sure how I was going to cook it.  After a lengthy search, I found this recipe.  I used a combination of tatsoi and mustard greens, but wasn't impressed at first with the original recipe.  I made some modifications and I think it turned out pretty well, but I will probably make some changes the next time I make it (suggestions are welcome!).  It definitely has a different taste, but it was a good change of pace.

Tatsoi and mustard greens ready to be cooked!

• 2 Tbsp. peanut oil
• 6 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 onion, sliced thinly
• 2 1/2 tsp. turmeric
• 2 tsp. cumin
• 2. tsp garlic powder
• 1 tsp. coriander seeds (optional)
• 2 big bunches tatsoi, bok choy or other mustardy/cabbagey greens, chopped, stalks even more finely chopped so they cook evenly
• 1 (10 oz.) pkg. mushrooms, cleaned and quartered
• 1/4 cup water
• 2 tsp, tamari (or soy sauce)
• 1 handful of large flake coconut
• sea salt to taste
• 1 1/2 cups rice

1. Heat oil in wok or large frying pan. Add garlic and stir, one minute. Add onions and spices and cook, stirring, another 1-2 minutes. 

2.  Add mushrooms, tatsoi, water and tamari and stir well to wilt, then cover and cook until soft, about 5 minutes.  Serve over rice.

 

Health Benefits

Tumeric - I can't say tumeric is my favorite spice, but I try to eat it as much as I can because it is so good for you.  I've read it is one of the best spices you can eat and has a lot of great anti-inflammatory properties.  Dr. Oz calls it "the spice that keeps you smart" as it helps clear up brain-clogging proteins.  It has many other beneficial properties and applications including: treatment of gallbladder problems, indigestion and infections; used for Alzheimer’s disease, arthritis, asthma, athlete’s foot, boils, colic, dermatitis, diarrhea, gas, high cholesterol, inflammation, intestinal pain, irritable bowel syndrome, psoriasis and yeast infections.  Click here to see 20 health benefits of or here to learn even more!

This is what tatsoi looks like in case you were wondering!

Tatsoi & Mustard Greens - Mustard greens aid in digestion because of their ability to bind bile in the digestive tract, making it easier for bile acids to be excreted, which naturally lowers cholesterol. Cooked greens have a stronger binding ability. Two glucosinolates in mustard greens have well-documented cancer preventive and anti-inflammatory properties. Regular consumption of mustard greens in the diet is known to prevent arthritis, osteoporosis, iron deficiency, anemia and believed to protect from cardiovascular diseases, asthma and colon and prostate cancers. Click here for lots more info on mustard greens.