Roasted Bok Choy

With spring now in full effect, things are looking a little livelier here in Michigan. Leaves are reappearing on trees, the grass is growing, and flowers are blooming. The world is suddenly a whole lot greener. This has us thinking about ways to add some green to our plates as well. One of our favorite green vegetables is also one that, until recent years, has often been overlooked in the United States. Bok choy is the hidden gem of the produce section. This petit green superfood packs a powerful nutritional punch and is the perfect companion to any number of dishes.

Bok choy is a type of cabbage that is absolutely loaded with vitamins and minerals, making it one of the most nutritionally-dense vegetables on the planet. A single 3.5-ounce serving contains 54% of the recommended daily value for Vitamin C, and 44% of the daily value of Vitamin K. It is also rich in antioxidants and contains essential minerals such as calcium and magnesium. How do you cook bok choy? The short answer is however you want. Bok choy can be added to a stir-fry, grilled, braised, sautéed, or even just eaten raw.

One of the easiest ways to prepare bok choy is to roast it. Oven-roasting bok choy preserves all the nutrients and results in a texture that is at once soft and crunchy. Bok choy is naturally a little on the bitter side; oven roasting it caramelizes the leaves and mellows out the bitterness. Roasted bok choy pairs well with just about any sort of seasoning. We like to brighten it up with a little lemon and finish it with a dash of black garlic powder. Black garlic is the result of heating whole cloves of garlic at low temperatures for long periods of time; the process turns the cloves black and softens their flavor to the point that they are almost unrecognizable as garlic. Rather, black garlic tends to have a tangy sweetness reminiscent of molasses or balsamic vinegar. This flavor pairs incredibly well with the slightly bitter bok choy, and the result makes a remarkably healthy and delicious addition to any meal.

Bok choy with lemon and garlic
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Roasted Bok Choy Recipe

Bok choy is naturally a little on the bitter side; oven roasting it caramelizes the leaves and mellows out the bitterness. Roasted bok choy pairs well with just about any sort of seasoning. We like to brighten it up with a little lemon and finish it with a dash of black garlic powder. 
Prep Time5 mins
Total Time17 mins
Servings: 4

Ingredients

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 450 degrees.
  • Slice the bok choy in half length-wise. Wash and pat dry.
  • Place onto a lightly oiled baking sheet. Drizzle with a small amount of olive oil.
  • Sprinkle all the bok choy pieces with black garlic powder and sea salt.
  • Roast at 450 degrees for 10-12 minutes.
  • Remove from oven and drizzle with lemon juice. Serve immediately!