Eat purple cabbage for great skin

18 Feb 2012: Apart from lending itself to salads and main dishes, purple cabbage with its anti-oxidant properties also works wonders for the skin.

 

This is a salad lover’s delight! Thinly cut strips of purple cabbage with a drizzle of balsamic vinegar or Greek olive oil can create a fun, healthy dish. Purple cabbage is also pickled and added to stir-fries!

 

Health benefit: Cabbage is a great store of vitamin C and vitamin K. The rich deep colour of this vegetable is due to a high concentration of anthocyanin polyphenols (strong dietary antioxidants, possessing anti-inflammatory properties), making it have even more phytonutrients than a green cabbage. A few studies also show that anthocyanins may help reduce the risk of heart disease, diabetes and certain types of cancer. It is rich in anti-oxidants which makes skin supple and clear.

 

How to store: Keep the purple cabbage in a plastic bag and place it in the refrigerator. It will stay fresh for up to two weeks.

 

Here is a quick fix recipe:

Sweet and Sour Cabbage

Ingredients:

Purple cabbage, thinly sliced: About 8 cups

Butter: 2 tbsp

Sugar: 3 tbsp

Balsamic vinegar: 1/4 cup

Sultanas and pine nuts: A handful

 

Method:

Take a large saucepan and melt the butter in it. Now, add the cabbage and saute this for a few minutes. Sprinkle the sugar and add the vinegar. Reduce heat and simmer for a few minutes. Take off the heat, season, add the sultanas and nuts. Serve.