Since 2020, Chef Christine Wansleben, Owner and Culinary Director of Mise En Place in downtown Richmond, VA has been cooking for homeowners and guests at Mosaic at West Creek. With over 20 years of culinary experience, Chef Christine offers monthly cooking demonstrations at The Conservatory at Mosaic in Goochland County. These demonstrations are a fun way for homeowners to get to know one another, share cooking stories or favorite restaurants and learn new culinary techniques. Now that winter has arrived, we sat down with Chef Christine as she shared her favorite healthy winter ingredients.
- Dark Chocolate: It may not be obvious, but dark chocolate has numerous health benefits. Cocoa’s flavanols have antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and free-radical scavenging properties which have been proven to help protect your heart, reduce the risk of diabetes and lower blood pressure. Dark chocolate also has a richness in flavor and depth making it a great winter treat.
- Salmon: Salmon is a superfood loaded with numerous vitamins and minerals that help replenish and strengthen our bodies – especially during the winter months. Not only is salmon a great source of protein, but it is also rich in omega 3 fatty acids which offer a variety of health benefits including relieving symptoms of dry eye disease, helping manage symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis, and improving cognitive function. Salmon can also help regulate your sleep because it contains an amino acid called tryptophan. There is nothing like enjoying a comfortable sleep on a long winter night.
- Kale: Kale has made a triumphant return over the past several years as more and more people understand and appreciate its numerous health benefits. Kale is packed with vitamins A, K, B6 and C, calcium, potassium, copper and manganese. These essential vitamins make it a super leafy vegetable. One of the things that make kale a great ingredient to use during the winter months is how versatile it is. Kale can be used in soups, stews, salads, or even part of a stuffing mix. There are endless possibilities for this cruciferous vegetable.
- Beets: Beets are another versatile vegetable perfect for winter dishes. They get their color from betalains, a type of natural plant pigment that provides a health boost. Betalains contain both antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties. These can help with heart disease, cancer, high blood pressure, and obesity. Beets are also high in fiber and contain plenty of potassium, magnesium, and vitamin C. Like kale, they can be boiled, stewed, or even eaten raw.
- Red Cabbage: Red cabbage is a great dish for winter. Braising or sautéing it really helps the flavors come alive and it can be mixed with apples, onions, and a variety of other ingredients. Red cabbage is the wealth of phytochemicals, antioxidants, nutrients, vitamins, and minerals. These essential components include B-vitamins calcium, manganese, magnesium, iron, and potassium, as well as vitamin C, vitamin A, vitamin E, vitamin K, dietary fiber.
At HHHunt, we believe it’s how you live that matters and providing our homeowners with world-class experiences that enhance their lives are at the heart of our master-planned communities. We hope that you enjoy these recommendations from Chef Christine and enjoy healthy ingredients this winter!