Try This Simple, Delicious Kangkong (Water Spinach) and Garlic Recipe

Kangkong (or Water Spinach) is a very popular vegetable not only in the Philippines but around the entire Asia-Pacific region. It is one of the cheapest vegetables around because it's a 'pest' that can practically grow anywhere. Asians eventually found out that when you saute Kangkong in garlic, some fish sauce (patis), and oyster sauce, it becomes a really delicious dish that explodes with flavor. I personally love cooking this dish because it's cheap, nutritious, and it's so easy to make.

Before I begin, I just want to say that the picture on top is only for show. You will be cooking around 4 times as much Kangkong if you plan to follow the proportions given in this recipe. So, let's begin.

Nutritional Benefits: 
Back when we were kids, remember how Popeye gets his superhuman strength just by eating a can of spinach? Just like spinach, Kangkong is a low-calorie dish jam-packed with nutrients. A serving of this dish will provide 297.1mg of Potassium, 2g of Fiber, 2.8g of Protein, 110.4% of your daily Vitamin A requirement, 82.7% of Vitamin C, 7.2% of Calcium and 8.8% of Iron at only 41 calories! It's also loaded with antioxidants that help boost your immune system. Not bad for one of the cheapest vegetables in the planet.

An Easy Steamed Okra Recipe

Okra is one of my all-time favorite vegetables. I'm from Iloilo and we love making Laswa (a delicious vegetable soup) which is usually served with lots of Okra. I'm going to share the recipe for Laswa next time. For now, let's talk about another easy recipe - Steamed Okra. 

I know there are a lot of ways to cook Okra since you can either steam, fry, or boil the pods. My personal favorite cooking method is steaming. The reason why I like it is that the nutrients get locked in during the cooking process and it doesn't lose any of it's flavor. It's so easy that this might not count as a valid recipe.

Nutritional Benefits:

Okra is a low-calorie meal rich in valuable nutrients such as soluble and insoluble fiber, Vitamin A, Folic Acid, and Vitamin C and minerals such as Calcium, Iron, and Potassium. A cup of Okra will contain 31 calories, 3.2g of Fiber, 2g of Protein, and 35% of your daily Vitamin C requirement. 

Stir Fried Pechay with Tomatoes and Mushrooms Recipe

Here's a great vegetable dish that anyone can make. This Pechay Stir-Fry Recipe involves just a couple of healthy vegetables. It's best served as a healthy side to go along with some protein and rice. It's a recipe that I got from my mom and it is also one of the first vegetable dishes I ever cooked.