The Joy In Bok Choy

Growing up, my parents never had to counsel me to eat my vegetables. Especially not the green ones!

As I've gotten older, [green] vegetables are the main attraction of my breakfast, lunch, and dinner. I have the same tendencies as I did when I was a younger girl, where I would devour all of my vegetables prior to tasting my starch or protein, on my plate.

The more I discovered my way around the grocery store, the longer the trips seem to be. Whether I'm learning about new vegetables for my taste buds to try or enjoy shopping the sales, bok choy has been on my list of vegetables to explore.

Assuming it's along with the flavors and 'foodie' relations to cabbages and brussel sprouts, bok choy has an interesting history urging me to know more about the mini, yet tall cabbage.

Also known as Pak Choi, the green delicacy originated from China.

Bok choy comes from the Brassica family of veggies like kale, broccoli, cauliflower, collard greens, and rutabaga - name a few.

The Chinese vegetable staple is popular in the Phillippines. In the United States, bok choy is grown [and available] between warmer and cooler months, such as June and October.

There are three types of bok choy you can enjoy. As a lover of baby bok choy, I'm interested in developing recipes with bok choy with white stem and green stem. Bok choy can grow upwards of 12 inches.

Bok choy is packed with tons of antioxidants!

Like other green vegetables, bok choy is packed with essential nutrients and antioxidants to reduce ailment risks.

The 'white cabbage' is packed with beta carotene, folate, vitamin C, and vitamin E which aids in cell damage repair, prevents cancer cell formation, and improves skin health and immunity.

Folate, potassium, and vitamin C and B-6 act together to prevent homocysteine.

Vitamin K found in bok choy aids in bone health and reduces bone fractures.

Eating bok choy is beneficial for athletes too!

The mini baby cabbages have multiple anti-inflammation properties, like choline, to aid with sleep, muscle recovery, and memory.

Selenium found in bok choy can terminate bacteria and viruses. This essential mineral can detox early cancer cells as well as prevent inflammation and tumor growth. Consuming selenium-enriched foods can improve the functionality of the thyroid glands.

Studies show eating cruciferous vegetables, like bok choy, can lower the risks of developing lung, prostate, and colon cancer.

Another study shows eating bok choy at least once a week can lower the risks of oral, esophageal, colorectal, breast, and kidney cancers compared to occasionally eating cruciferous vegetables.

True cardiovascular help to the rescue!

Strokes are a red flag to your health. Adding bok choy to your diet lifestyle can help reduce the risk of cardiovascular ailments that can restrict you from living your best life.

Healthy blood pressure is a huge influence on your cardiovascular health.

Potassium, calcium, and magnesium found in the low-calorie vegetable can help lower your blood pressure as well as improve your overall heart health.

Introduce bok choy to your diet lifestyle.

Growing up, my dad loved making fried corn. When I moved to North Carolina, I found many foodies are in love with fried vegetables too!

Whether you're a southerner lover of sauteed, seared, or fried vegetables, there's a heightened flavor appreciation. Additionally, pan-fried vegetables are an easy way to introduce bok choy into your meal planning and preparing!

When shopping for your bok choy, choose a Chinese cabbage with firm stalks and crisp leaves. Refrain from wilted, spotted, or discolored stalks. Always wash your bok choy to remove soil prior to preparing.

For a simple recipe, I like to chop the bok choy root at the end. Add a few drizzles of olive oil in a cast-iron skillet over medium-high heat. Add a few dashes of Stella Bistro Foods Noches Mexicanas Sultry Spice, Stella Bistro Foods Rustic Italian Sultry Spice, and Stella Bistro Foods Universalt Sultry Spice.

Lightly toss to coat the bok choy with olive oil. Reduce to medium heat, tossing every six to seven minutes or until wilted and seared.

Garnish with a few pinches of Stella Bistro Foods Everything Rustic Bagel Sultry Spice.

Place on the dinner table and allow the earthly aroma and herbs to tantalize everyone's taste buds!

How do you like your bok choy prepared and cooked?

What's your favorite bok choy recipe?

Share your favorite bok choy recipe with us below!