Chinese cabbage

Chinese cabbage, or as it is also called - Peking cabbage, despite its exotic origin, has already managed to gain popularity among lovers of fresh and healthy vegetables. Let's consider what is useful Chinese cabbage, what can be prepared from it and why it is considered an ideal product for weight loss.

Light, tasty, crispy and most importantly low-calorie Chinese cabbage is appreciated by healthy eating enthusiasts around the world. Chinese cabbage has a high nutritional value and has a number of useful properties that go well with the low calorie content of this vegetable. Chinese cabbage is a tasty ingredient in many oriental dishes and most importantly, a key element of a low-calorie diet for weight loss.

Chinese cabbage is an elongated head of cabbage with loose leaves of light green or yellowish color. This product is considered a salad vegetable and is used to prepare tasty and light snacks, salads and even first and hot dishes. Chinese cabbage belongs to the cabbage family and is an annual salad plant. This vegetable is the oldest vegetable crop of East Asia, and its numerous varieties grow all over the world.

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Varieties of Chinese Cabbage

Numerous varieties of Chinese cabbage belong to two types: Peking cabbage and Chinese cabbage. Thus, Chinese cabbage has oblong oval-shaped leaves, dark green in color, and Peking cabbage has light green leaves, light, embossed. The peculiarity of each variety of Chinese cabbage is the absence of heads. Let's consider the main varieties of Chinese cabbage.

• Goblet – has medium-sized heads of cabbage weighing up to 2 kg. Valued for its good taste and high yield.
• Vesnyanka is a variety of Chinese cabbage that is distinguished by its high content of vitamin C. It has juicy leaves and is resistant to flowering, and has excellent taste qualities.
• Pomegranate is an early-ripening variety of Chinese cabbage. The average weight of a head is 1.5-2 kg. It has light and tender leaves. It is often used to make salads, as it has a delicate taste.
• Monaco - refers to early maturing varieties, has a short head of lettuce color. Valued for its resistance to unfavorable conditions during cultivation.
• Optiko is considered an early-ripening variety of Chinese cabbage. It is undemanding to growing conditions and has a high yield.
• Khabinskaya - refers to the early maturing varieties of Chinese cabbage. It has a high yield, valued for its rich vitamins and microelements useful for the body juicy leaves.

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Properties of Chinese cabbage

The properties of Chinese cabbage largely determine its value. Chinese cabbage is valued for its medicinal properties and good taste. In addition, cabbage is considered the most useful of all vegetables. The usefulness of Chinese cabbage is in the leaves rich in vitamins and minerals. One head of Chinese cabbage contains twice as much ascorbic acid than any other cabbage variety. So, Chinese cabbage is a source of: vitamins, minerals, proteins and microelements useful for the body.

Chinese cabbage contains lysine, which is extremely rare in vegetables, but is very useful for the human body. Lysine improves the immune system and dissolves foreign proteins that enter the blood. Also, Chinese cabbage contains 2% fiber, 1% nitrogenous substances and 0.1% starch. Such a number of useful substances contained in Chinese cabbage makes it valuable in medicinal terms. Due to this, cabbage is used to treat problems with the digestive system, normalize metabolic processes, cleanse the intestines, prevent cardiovascular diseases and liver diseases. In addition, Chinese cabbage is indispensable when following a diet, as it has a low calorie content.

Regular consumption of Chinese cabbage significantly reduces the risk of developing cancer. And eating cabbage in winter gives the body all the vitamins and microelements necessary for normal functioning.

Benefits of Chinese Cabbage

The main benefit of Chinese cabbage is hidden in its composition. The high content of lysine and other amino acids increases the level of immunity and the body's resistance to various diseases. And fiber, which is also contained in Chinese cabbage, improves digestion processes and helps to normalize metabolic processes. Chinese cabbage is considered a source of longevity.

• Chinese cabbage is good for diabetics as it lowers blood sugar levels.
• Cabbage supports the cardiovascular system and improves calcium metabolism in the body.
• Chinese cabbage juice helps fight digestive tract diseases.
• Chinese cabbage is used to prevent colitis, gastritis and duodenitis.
• The vegetable helps to cope with insomnia.

Recently, scientists have stated that in the near future, the beneficial properties of Chinese cabbage will help in the fight against cancer.

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Harm of Chinese cabbage

The harm of Chinese cabbage occurs due to individual characteristics of the body and reactions that occur when exposed to the beneficial substances contained in the vegetable. Thus, a large amount of fiber can cause colic in the intestines, flatulence and even cause attacks of pancreatitis. Citric acid contained in Chinese cabbage increases the risk of stomach inflammation.

That is why excessive consumption of Chinese cabbage is not recommended. If you are planning to sit on a low-calorie diet, the key product of which is Chinese cabbage and you have stomach diseases, it is better to consult a nutritionist or gastroenterologist.

Caloric content of Chinese cabbage

The calorie content of Chinese cabbage is very low, which makes it an excellent product for those who want to lose weight but do not want to feel hungry. Despite the fact that Chinese cabbage belongs to the cabbage family, it looks very much like lettuce. That is why Chinese cabbage is called salad cabbage. There are only 15 kcal per 100 grams of Chinese cabbage. Chinese cabbage contains about 2 grams of carbohydrates, 1 gram of protein and many useful microelements.

• 100 grams of Chinese cabbage contains up to 95 mg of ascorbic acid and vitamin C. This makes the vegetable an excellent antioxidant with a powerful general strengthening and immune system stimulating effect.
• Chinese cabbage contains vitamin B1 (thiamine), it is responsible for excellent physical development. And vitamin B2 (riboflavin) is responsible for the healthy appearance of nails, skin and hair, and also normalizes the thyroid gland.
• Vitamin A, which Chinese cabbage is rich in, prolongs youth and has a general strengthening effect on the immune system.
• Vitamin B6 (pyridoxine) has a beneficial effect on the nervous system and is responsible for normal hair growth.

Cooking Chinese Cabbage

Cooking Chinese cabbage usually does not take much time, as it is used for salads and light snacks. Chinese cabbage goes well with other vegetables, many types of meat and even fruits. Chinese cabbage salads are dressed with olive oil, lemon juice, mayonnaise or sour cream.

Since Chinese cabbage has become very popular, everyone tries to adapt this vegetable to their taste. Soups are made from Chinese cabbage, it is stewed, marinated, fermented. Cabbage rolls are made from Chinese cabbage and used as a light and healthy addition to fatty meat dishes. There are many simple and delicious recipes for cooking dishes from Chinese cabbage. But most importantly, Chinese cabbage is the lowest-calorie vegetable, so it can be consumed without restrictions (in the absence of contraindications).

Recipes for Chinese Cabbage Dishes

Recipes for dishes made from Chinese cabbage are always low-calorie, have excellent taste qualities and are prepared very quickly. Let's look at the most popular recipes that can be easily prepared at home.

• A light diet salad of Chinese cabbage for those on a diet. You will need a couple of fresh cucumbers, a tomato, hard cheese, Chinese cabbage and boiled eggs. For dressing, you can use olive oil or low-fat sour cream. Chop all the ingredients and dress with oil or sour cream.
• You can make a dietary vegetable soup from Chinese cabbage. Prepare vegetable or meat broth in advance. Cut onions, carrots, mushrooms and potatoes into small cubes. Fry the vegetables a little in olive oil. As soon as the broth boils, add the vegetables and cook. At this time, cut the Chinese cabbage, tomato and some bell pepper into small strips. Add the remaining ingredients to the broth, bring to a boil, taste and add spices if desired. After 15 minutes, remove the soup from the stove and enjoy the wonderful taste of low-calorie vegetable soup.
• You can make a delicious and nutritious salad from Chinese cabbage for a large company or the whole family. You will need a head of Chinese cabbage, a can of canned pineapple (pieces), some wheat croutons, a can of canned corn, boiled chicken breast and a glass of low-fat sour cream. Chop the cabbage into strips, add the remaining ingredients and season with sour cream. Lastly, add croutons and spices to taste.
• Another recipe for Chinese cabbage salad. To prepare the salad, you will need part of a cabbage head, a bunch of dill and onion, sunflower seeds, lemon juice, olive oil, and wheat croutons. Cut the Chinese cabbage, dill, and onion into small pieces. Mix the ingredients and add the seeds. Fry the wheat croutons in olive oil and add to the salad. For dressing, mix lemon juice and olive oil. Enjoy!

Hot dishes from Chinese cabbage

Hot dishes from Chinese cabbage are a real gastronomic miracle. Let's look at several simple recipes for hot dishes from Chinese cabbage.

1. Rolls

Ingredients:

• Head of Chinese cabbage.
• Carrot.
• Garlic (a couple of cloves).
• Dill and green onions.
• Chicken fillet.
• Olive oil.
• Spices to taste.

Preparation:

Cut the chicken into strips and fry in olive oil with spices. Chop the carrots, onions and garlic and add to the chicken in the frying pan. Remove the leaves from the cabbage head, cut off the thick stem and beat it a little in the thick places. Pour a spoonful of filling into the cabbage and roll it up. Spread the remaining filling in the same way on the Chinese cabbage leaves and roll it up.

2. Chinese Cabbage and Chicken Soup

A delicate and healthy soup made from dietary Chinese cabbage and equally dietary chicken meat. An excellent recipe for those on a diet.

Ingredients:

• Chicken broth and chicken meat.
• Chinese cabbage.
• Green onions.
• Soy sauce.
• Spices to taste.

Preparation:

Add finely chopped Chinese cabbage to the chicken broth. After a couple of minutes, pour three spoons of soy sauce into the pan. Chop the onion and pour into the soup. Bring to a boil and add spices to taste. The soup should boil for 10-15 minutes, after which it can be served.

Chinese Cabbage Salad

Chinese cabbage salad is the simplest dish that can be prepared from this low-calorie and healthy vegetable. We offer you a couple of simple recipes for delicious Chinese cabbage salads.

• Take a head of Chinese cabbage, bell pepper, green onion and some canned corn. Cut the cabbage and pepper into strips, the onion into rings. Mix everything with the corn and season with olive oil or sour cream and mayonnaise dressing.
• Salad of Chinese cabbage, hard cheese from sesame seeds. Fry the sesame in olive oil until golden. Grate the cheese on a coarse grater, and cut the cabbage into strips. Mix all the ingredients and season with low-fat mayonnaise if desired.
• Cut the Chinese cabbage into strips, add grated apple and canned corn. Decorate the salad with pomegranate seeds. For dressing, take a spoon of olive oil and lemon juice.

Chicken with Chinese Cabbage

Chicken and Chinese cabbage go well together. Chicken and cabbage are used to make delicious salads, side dishes and even soups. We present to your attention the most delicious recipes for chicken with Chinese cabbage.

• Cut the chicken fillet into pieces and fry in olive oil until golden brown. Finely chop the Chinese cabbage and sprinkle with lemon juice. Add the chicken fillet and finely chopped tomatoes to the cabbage. Put everything in a frying pan, add 3-5 tablespoons of soy sauce, spices to taste and simmer for 5-7 minutes.
• You can make a delicious salad from chicken and Chinese cabbage. You will need boiled chicken fillet, fresh bell pepper, cucumber, tomato paste, mayonnaise, garlic and spices to taste. Cut the chicken and cabbage into strips, cucumber, garlic and pepper into cubes. Mix the tomato paste with mayonnaise and season the salad.
• Mix boiled chicken fillet with canned pineapple, finely chopped green onions and shredded Chinese cabbage. Dress the salad with a spoon of sour cream and a spoon of mayonnaise, add spices if desired.

Chinese Cabbage Stuffed Cabbage

Cabbage rolls made from Chinese cabbage are very tender and airy and are not inferior to a similar dish made from white cabbage. Let's look at several delicious recipes for cabbage rolls made from Chinese cabbage.

1. Cabbage rolls without heat treatment.

First, you need to prepare the filling for the future cabbage rolls. Mix a glass of boiled rice with canned corn, grated egg, finely chopped crab sticks and chopped apple. Season the filling with mayonnaise. Beat the cabbage leaves a little, put the filling in them and wrap them up. You can decorate the cabbage rolls with sesame seeds and mayonnaise.

2. Oriental style Chinese cabbage rolls.

To prepare cabbage rolls, you will need a head of Chinese cabbage, salmon fillet or other red fish, a glass of couscous, bell pepper, some hard cheese, a spoonful of flour, olive oil, spices to taste and cream for the sauce.

• Separate the head of Chinese cabbage into leaves, add salt and pour boiling water over it. Put a glass of couscous in the second bowl and pour boiling water over it.
• Chop the pepper and onion, fry in olive oil. Cut the onion and pepper into small cubes.
• Add chopped red fish and fried vegetables to the swollen couscous. Salt and pepper to taste.
• We take the Chinese cabbage leaves out of the water and cut off the hard parts. We put the filling in the leaves and form the cabbage rolls.
• Pour flour into a preheated frying pan and fry until golden brown. Add cream to the flour and stir, trying to avoid lumps. Put the cabbage rolls in the filling, sprinkle with grated cheese on top. Cover the frying pan with foil and put in the oven for 10-15 minutes.

Crab salad with Chinese cabbage

Crab salad with Chinese cabbage is delicious, light and most importantly, it is prepared very quickly. Let's look at the classic recipe for crab salad with Chinese cabbage.

Ingredients:

• Head of Chinese cabbage.
• Packaging of crab sticks.
• A can of canned corn.
• 3-4 boiled eggs.
• Mayonnaise and spices to taste.

Preparation:

Finely chop the cabbage, cut the eggs and crab sticks. Mix the ingredients with canned corn. Dress the salad with mayonnaise and add spices to taste. Eat the salad chilled.

Chinese cabbage in Korean style

Chinese cabbage in Korean style is a real spicy oriental dish. To prepare Chinese cabbage in Korean style you will need: a head of Chinese cabbage, onion, garlic, hot pepper, soy sauce, ginger root, sugar, salt, vinegar and pepper.

During the cooking process, remove the leaves from the cabbage and cut into thin strips. Place the cabbage in a saucepan and sprinkle with salt. Cover the saucepan with cling film and leave overnight so that the cabbage is well salted. The cabbage will release juice, but it must be drained. Cut the onion into thin half rings, chop the garlic, do the same with the hot pepper and ginger. Now prepare the sauce - mix vinegar, soy sauce and sugar and pour it over the cabbage. Cover the cabbage with a lid, mix well and leave for 2-3 days to infuse in a cool place.

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Braised Chinese Cabbage

Braised Chinese cabbage is a great dish for those who want to try a new taste of a low-calorie vegetable. To prepare braised cabbage, you will need onions, garlic and Chinese cabbage. Please note that one hundred grams of braised cabbage contains 82 kcal, of which 4.5g are fats, 3.2g are proteins and 8.2g are carbohydrates.

Cut the onion into thin half rings, chop the garlic, and shred the cabbage. Fry the onion and garlic in olive oil. Add the Chinese cabbage. Cover the cabbage with a lid and leave to stew for 10-15 minutes. Boiled rice and boiled chicken breast are great as a side dish. Tasty, filling, and most importantly, low-calorie.

Pickled Chinese Cabbage

Pickled Chinese cabbage is a great appetizer. The recipe below can be used to pickle not only Chinese cabbage, but also other vegetables. So, to prepare pickled cabbage you will need:

• Head of Chinese cabbage and carrots.
• A glass of vegetable oil and half a glass of vinegar.
• Sugar, salt, pepper, bay leaf and cumin.

Preparation:

Separate the Chinese cabbage into leaves and cut into thin strips. Grate the carrots on a coarse grater. Place the vegetables in a glass jar and mix. Add a glass of boiled water, vinegar, salt, pepper and sugar. Mix everything again, close the jar with a lid and leave to marinate for 6-8 hours. Marinated Chinese cabbage goes well with potato dishes and any porridge.

Can nursing mothers eat Chinese cabbage?

Can nursing mothers eat Chinese cabbage? This is a pressing question for women who care about their bodies and the body of their baby during lactation. Many nutritionists agree that Chinese cabbage can cause colic and increased gas formation in the baby. But this theory has no evidence, since milk is formed from blood and lymph, and not from the contents of the mother's stomach. That is, the enzymes of digested Chinese cabbage do not enter the baby's body.

But official recommendations from doctors indicate that in the first month after giving birth, a nursing mother should avoid eating Chinese cabbage. During the entire lactation period, Chinese cabbage is recommended to be consumed after heat treatment, that is, stewed, boiled or fried. But in any case, Chinese cabbage helps restore the body's functioning, normalizes metabolic processes and helps bring the figure into excellent shape.

Chinese cabbage for weight loss

Chinese cabbage for weight loss helps to quickly and effectively bring the figure into shape. Chinese cabbage removes toxins from the body, cleanses the intestines and improves metabolic processes. Cabbage has diuretic properties and is an excellent product for detoxifying the body. Nutritionists advise eating Chinese cabbage not only for weight loss, but also to reduce pigmentation on the body and solve other skin problems. Chinese cabbage contains a lot of fiber and a minimum of calories. It is recommended to spend fasting days on Chinese cabbage and use it as one of the main ingredients of a low-calorie diet for weight loss. All the above recipes are great for weight loss. Cabbage perfectly saturates, satisfies hunger and takes care of the slimness of the figure.

Chinese cabbage is a healthy and tasty low-calorie vegetable. You can make many salads, appetizers and hot dishes from cabbage. Cabbage helps you lose weight and saturates your body with the necessary amount of vitamins, minerals and microelements.