Despite being a fairly health conscious vegan, who loves fresh produce and a variety of veggies, I’ve never been much of a salad fan. Actually, I tell a lie. I love pasta salads, rice salads and Mediterranean mezze salads. But green lettucy style salads aren’t really my idea of good grub.

However, I may have to reconsider my indifference to the green stuff, after recently discovering that salads most popular ingredient, Watercress, is one of the most nutritious things we can munch on. Despite consisting of over 90% water, and looking like a ropier younger brother of the more popular spinach, Watercress is in fact a bit of a vitamin power house.

It has more than double the vitamin C of Oranges, four times the vitamin A of Apples and Broccoli and contains high levels of vitamin K and flavonoid antioxidants. And when compared to such delicious produce as citrus fruits, Spinach, Broccoli, Tomatoes and Kale, Watercress also comes up in the top three most nutrition dense sources of Iron, magnesium, zinc and Calcium. In fact, some studies have found that those who eat more Watercress in their diet are also less prone to wrinkles!! Maybe this rabbit food has some appeal after all!

But what if, like me, a handful of Watercress on a dish sounds like a waste of plate space? Well, I’ve found these creative, easy and delicious Watercress recipes; which will help you to stock up on all the green goodness without becoming a walking salad!

10 Easy, Delicious Vegan Watercress Recipes

 

Avocado Watercress Salad

 

Watercress and Pea Risotto

 

Watercress Hummus

Watercress, Mushroom and Cashew Stir-fry

 

Asian Pear and Watercress Smoothie

 

Watercress and Avocado Pesto

 

Sauteed Watercress with Garlic

 

Watercress Soup

 

Smokey Chickpea and Watercress with Mango and Avocado

 

Beetroot, Apple, Carrot and Watercress Smoothie