This cauliflower-black lentil stew is so delicious — please try it as it is loaded with health-promoting ingredients. It is so versatile. Today I did not have sweet potatoes or spinach on hand so I used carrots and watercress–but I did have both white and purple cauliflower, which was amazing. Other times I used the sweet potatoes and spinach. Always delicious.

Cauliflower-Black Lentil Stew:

Ingredients:

1 tablespoon coconut oil or ghee

1 large onion, diced, or 4 shallots, sliced

1 tablespoon minced fresh ginger, or 1 tsp dried

1-2 tablespoons curry powder or turmeric, to taste

1 ½ teaspoons ground coriander

¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)

1 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin

1 teaspoon Ceylon cinnamon

½ teaspoon ground cardamom

4 cups chicken bone broth or vegetable stock

1 cup black beluga lentils (red lentils may be substituted)

1 head cauliflower, cut into bite-sized florets

1 medium sweet potato, diced but not peeled (optional)

3 large carrots, sliced but not peeled,  3/4 inch thick (optional, but best to include either carrot or sweet potato or both)

3 stalks celery, sliced 1/4 inch thick (optional, but provides valuable anti-cancer apigenin)

1 cup baby spinach, arugula, or other green leafy vegetable, chopped if large leaves

1 teaspoon fine-grain Celtic sea salt (or Real Salt)

Freshly ground black pepper

1/2 cup chopped cilantro

1 avocado, optional, skin and seed removed, diced, or 1 tsp olive oil

Serves 4

Serve with Super Seed Bread or Flax Seed Muffins

1. In a large saucepan, heat the coconut oil or ghee over low heat. Add the onion and sauté for 6-7 minutes until translucent. Add the garlic and sauté 1 more minute
2. Stir in the spices and sauté for 2 more minutes
3. Add the broth and lentils and stir to combine. Bring to a low boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 4-5 minutes
4. Add the cauliflower, sweet potato and/or carrot, and celery. Cover and cook over low heat for 20-25 minutes, until the vegetables are tender. Season with salt and pepper
5. Add the greens of choice and cook 3-5 minutes more, depending on the toughness of the greens
6. Stir in cilantro; divide into 4 bowls
7. Drizzle with olive or or top with diced avocado, if desired (the healthy fat will boost absorption of nutrients)

Why You Should Eat This: (beyond tempting your taste buds):

Cauliflower contains a variety of antioxidants that protect and repair DNA. It also exhibits strong anti-inflammatory activity that help detoxify the body of harmful toxins.

Onions and shallots have many anticancer benefits, offering potent antioxidant and anti-proliferation apoptotic abilities.

Garlic protects organs from heavy metal toxicity and contains the anticancer powerhouse B6.

Carrots reduce cancer growth and lower inflammation

Celery is rich in apigenin, which induces apoptosis through the p53 pathway

Sweet potatoes have many anticancer properties that dramatically lower one’s risk for breast and other cancers.

Ceylon cinnamon has cytotoxic properties (toxic to cancer cells) and helps regulate blood sugar

Curcumin (turmeric) is a powerful anti-inflammatory, anticancer spice that cuts off many pathways for cancer

Cumin is rich in antioxidants and is a natural immunity booster

Black beluga lentils are a rich source of plant protein and have high concentration of cancer-fighting anthocyanins

Spinach gives cancer the one-two punch. It protects DNA and inhibits cancer cell and tumor growth.

Cilantro is a strong detoxifier of heavy metals such a mercury

Avocado and olive oil offer significant anti-cancer, health-boosting nutrients

Elyn

~~If you don’t know your options, you don’t have any~~

Elyn Jacobs is a breast cancer survivor and holistic cancer strategist who helps people make better, healthier, non-toxic choices. She emphasizes the critical nature of addressing the root cause of cancer and not just its presenting symptoms (such as the tumor). Elyn specializes in understanding the role of estrogen in breast cancer and debunks the myths associated. She is a Contributing Editor for The Truth About Cancer and was creator and host of the Survive and Live Well Radio Show on the Cancer Support Network. Elyn is on the Medical Advisory Board for BeatCancer.Org and is on the Advisory Board to the Radical Remission Project. Elyn was the former Executive Director of the Emerald Heart Cancer Foundation. Contact Elyn via her website. Elyn offers consults via Skype, phone or in person.