Struggle Meals Season 4 Episode 9 A Cruciferous Delicious Time

In episode 9 of season 4 of the show Struggle Meals, titled "A Cruciferous Delicious Time," cooking instructor and host Frankie Celenza focuses on incorporating healthy cruciferous vegetables into flavorful and affordable meals.

Frankie begins the episode by explaining what cruciferous vegetables are and why they're important for a balanced diet. He then heads to the grocery store to pick up some basics like cauliflower, broccoli, and Brussels sprouts, as well as some less common options like kohlrabi and Romanesco.

Back in the kitchen, Frankie gets started on his first recipe, a cauliflower "steak" with chimichurri sauce. He cuts a large head of cauliflower into thick slices and pan-fries them until crispy. For the chimichurri, he combines parsley, cilantro, garlic, olive oil, and red wine vinegar in a food processor and blends until smooth. The bright and tangy sauce pairs perfectly with the crunchy cauliflower.

Next up, Frankie tackles kohlrabi, a bulbous, green vegetable with a cabbage-like taste. He makes a kohlrabi slaw with sliced kohlrabi, red cabbage, carrots, and green onion, all dressed in a tangy vinaigrette made with mustard, honey, and apple cider vinegar. The slaw is a crunchy and refreshing side dish that would be perfect with grilled meats or burgers.

For the main course, Frankie makes a broccoli and sausage pasta. He sautés sliced sausage and broccoli florets in olive oil until the broccoli is tender and slightly caramelized. He then tosses the sausage and broccoli with pasta and a simple sauce made with butter, garlic, and lemon juice. The result is a hearty and satisfying meal that's perfect for a weeknight dinner.

Finally, Frankie whips up a simple but impressive side dish: roasted Romanesco with preserved lemon. Romanesco is a funky-looking, chartreuse vegetable that's similar to cauliflower. Frankie cuts the Romanesco into small florets and roasts them in the oven with garlic and olive oil until they're tender and golden brown. He then adds chopped preserved lemon for a salty and tangy kick.

Throughout the episode, Frankie gives helpful tips on how to prep and cook each vegetable, as well as suggestions for how to use any leftover ingredients. He emphasizes the importance of incorporating more cruciferous vegetables into your diet, not only for their nutritional benefits but also for their delicious taste and versatility in the kitchen.

With easy-to-follow recipes and a laid-back approach to cooking, Frankie makes healthy eating accessible and fun in "A Cruciferous Delicious Time" on Struggle Meals.