Are you looking to add extra nutrition, flavor, and visual appeal to your salads? Look no further than microgreen salad! These tiny, edible greens pack a punch of flavor and nutrients, making them a perfect addition to any salad.
In this blog post, we will explore the health benefits of microgreens, provide tips for incorporating them into your dishes, and share some delicious microgreen salad recipes. So, let’s get started on this journey of discovering the magic of microgreens!
What are microgreens?
Microgreens, also known as baby greens, are edible greens harvested at the seedling stage of growth. Because they are harvested so young, they pack a lot of nutrients and flavor into a small space.
Microgreens can be grown from a wide variety of plants, including but not limited to sunflower shoots and basil. The exact time to harvest your microgreens will vary based on the plant type and growing conditions.
What Makes Microgreens So Good?
Microgreens are unique in that they have just emerged from the soil or have been harvested for less than three days. At this stage, microgreens still carry nutrients, making them of great value.
By eating microgreens and using them in salads, you can add variety to your meals while also getting a boost of nutrients! Microgreens also promote healthy eating because they provide so many tiny bites of vegetation.
This can make them a great way to increase the number of vegetables you consume. Eating a lot of greens is beneficial because leafy greens are rich in minerals and vitamins. Check out this article to learn about the health benefits of eating green leaves.
There are so many ways that microgreens can be added to dishes, making them a great addition to any meal. They can be tossed into salads or incorporated into smoothie recipes.
How to Use Them in Salads?
Microgreens are best when added as a finishing touch to salad dishes. The best way to do this is to combine them with other greens and ingredients already in the salad.
This will allow you to get the most flavor possible while preventing your greens from wilting or browning due to their shorter shelf life. We recommend combining microgreens with baby spinach, red leaf lettuce, or any of your favorite salad greens.
The best way to do this is to toss all the salad ingredients into a bowl with your favorite salad dressing. Once you have done this, sprinkle the micro greens on top, and you’re all set to serve!
Another way microgreens can be used in salads is by adding them as garnish. Microgreens are often sold with different greens, like red radishes and pea shoots. This makes for plenty of exciting combinations that look beautiful on top of any dish, whether a simple green salad or your favorite pizza!
How to make Microgreen Salad?
- Prepare Time: 10 Mins
- Make Time: 10 Mins
- Total Time: 20 Mins
- Servings: 2 People
- Calories: 87kcal
Ingredients:
- 2 cups microgreens
- 2 cloves garlic
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- sea salt and pepper to taste
- cracked black pepper, to taste [to sprinkle on top]
Directions:
Step 1.
Add the garlic and olive oil to the cup. Please put it in a blender until it is finely blended. Pour into a bowl, add the micro greens, and mix until evenly coated. Add salt, pepper, and cracked black pepper to taste.
Step 2.
Place on top of salads, pasta, or sandwiches. Add extra toppings if you’d like, or just enjoy it as is.
Nutrition Boosters in Microgreen Salad Recipes
As previously mentioned, microgreens are a great way to add nutrients, flavor, and visual appeal to your dishes. This makes them great for adding nutritional value to any dish. Here are some of the benefits that you can get from these tiny greens:
They Are High in Vitamins
Microgreens are exceptionally high in Vitamin C, with 100 grams containing 31% of the daily recommended value. This vitamin is essential, as it helps to keep your skin looking young and healthy.
It also aids in helping your body produce collagen, which is necessary for producing new bone tissue, eye diseases prevention, strengthening the immune system, and much more.
They are High in Minerals
Microgreens are a great and delicious way to add minerals to your diet. They are high in Iron, Potassium, and Calcium, making them an excellent supplement for people who do not get enough iron and calcium in their diets.
Microgreens are Rich in Antioxidants
One of the best things about eating microgreens is that they contain antioxidants. Antioxidants help protect your body from free radical damage, speeding up the aging process. This makes microgreens a great way to stay young and healthy.
Microgreens are High in Fiber
Because microgreens are so high in fiber, they are an excellent tool for helping you feel fuller and longer. This makes them a great way to eat less while also feeling satisfied.
How to Store microgreens?
Although microgreens are harvested so early, they still take a few days to grow and are not the most high-quality greens. You will get the most from your microgreens by using them the day you harvest them.
It would help if you stored your microgreens properly to retain their nutrients, look fresh and vibrant, and last long periods. To do this, you will need the following supplies:
- A mason jar
- A paper towel
- A plastic bag
Water bottles or something similar that can fit around your jar.
Step 1.
Add your mason jar to the water bottles and put it where it will be completely undisturbed. For example, you could use a cupboard or an unused corner of your refrigerator. This will allow you to keep the microgreens fresh for much longer.
Step 2.
While your microgreens grow, you should keep them covered. This will help to prevent them from drying out, which increases their storage time by a few days at most. To do this, tear a paper towel in half and use it to cover the top of the jar. You can also use a coffee filter for this.
Step 3.
Wrap your paper towel or coffee filter in plastic wrap to ensure that it stays in place while keeping water out of your microgreens’ growing environment.
Step 4.
Once your microgreens have grown, you need to transfer them to a plastic bag where you will also put your mason jar. This will allow as much air as possible to circulate the greens while growing so that they do not wilt or rot.
Step 5.
Put your jar and bag into an area where the microgreens will be kept for multiple days. You can return them to your refrigerator if you prefer to keep them in a calm and dark place.
Step 6.
Leave the microgreens inside your plastic bag for up to one week before eating. This will ensure they stay fresh for as long as possible without losing nutrients or flavor.
Step 7.
When you need microgreens for a meal, take the jar out of the bag and use it immediately before returning it to the plastic bag and putting it back into storage. It is best to use the greens within a week, but you can still leave them for at least a day or two until you need them.
Tips for Preparing and Presenting Microgreen Salad
1. Try to make the salad dressing before you serve it, as the microgreens will not wilt and turn brown.
2. Use an eye-dropper or a spoon to pour the dressing over your salad. This way, the microgreens will be easier to eat and won’t fall off your fork like if you use a whisk to drizzle them with dressing.
3. Don’t mix the microgreens with your dressing. This will help them keep their color and be seen on top of your dish.
4. Chop ingredients you want to put on top of your salad, such as tomatoes, mushrooms, or peppers, into small pieces. This will allow you to quickly put these ingredients onto the salad without using a spoon or an entirely new plate.
5. To make microgreen salad look even more appealing, consider using a plate contrasting with the greens. For example, if your salad is green from the microgreens, use a white plate to make it more vibrant.
6. Make sure to use the best olive oil that you can find for your microgreen salads. This will allow you to enjoy their delicious flavor and help them stay fresher for much longer.
7. Experiment with a variety of different microgreens, dressings, and ingredients so that you can find the combinations that you like the most.
Conclusion
Microgreens are a great addition to almost any dish and can be an excellent way of eating greens while still enjoying the taste that comes from fresh ingredients.
It would help if you tried microgreens whenever possible, as they are easy to grow, convenient to use, and even make a pretty appearance on your plate.
I hope this was helpful, and I look forward to hearing from you! Please feel free to comment below.
