Whether it’s game day, movie night, or a simple get-together, you can always count on a chips-and-dip combination to satisfy your taste buds. While these items are both appetizing, they’re not the healthiest that you can serve and eat.
Many brands of chips and dips available today are processed, usually made with trans fats and other harmful ingredients that could leave negative impacts on your body. This Creamy Parmesan-Broccoli Dip submitted by Mercola.com user Rachel tastes great, but offers even greater health benefits.
The cheese provides a velvety and creamy texture, while the broccoli delivers a unique crunch. Plus, if you pair this dip with fresh and crunchy organic vegetables, you’re not only treating yourself to a snack, but you’re giving your body a healthy boost as well.
Parmesan Broccoli Dip Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 to 2 Tbsp. Dr. Mercola’s coconut oil
- 3/4 pound finely chopped raw organic broccoli
- 3/4 cup shredded organic cheddar cheese (raw if available)
- 1/4 cup organic cream cheese
- 1/4 cup organic or homemade mayonnaise
- 1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese
- 1/4 cup minced onion
- 2 garlic cloves, finely chopped
- 1/2 tsp. salt
- 1/4 tsp. black pepper
Procedure
- Preheat oven to 375°F. Coat a 1-quart casserole or pie dish with coconut oil.
- Combine all ingredients, except ¼ cup of organic raw cheese, in a large bowl. Spoon mixture into prepared dish and smooth into an even layer. Sprinkle with ¼ remaining cheese.
- Bake for 25 minutes until top is lightly browned and dip is bubbly. Serve warm with fresh vegetables.
Try This Delectable Creamy Parmesan-Broccoli Dip
Broccoli, with its eye-catching color and distinct appearance, has established itself as a nutritional powerhouse courtesy of its numerous health benefits. It has anti-cancer, anti-viral and anti-inflammatory properties that are effective in inhibiting diseases. Most of broccoli’s health-promoting effects come from the two compounds in it: sulforaphane and glucoraphanin.
A sulfur-rich compound, sulforaphane can stop a cartilage-destroying enzyme, enhance blood pressure and kidney function, encourage antioxidant defense pathways in the body to lessen oxidative stress and immune system decline, and assist in repairing skin damage. Meanwhile, glucoraphanin refines cell enzymes that combat molecular damage from cancer-causing chemicals, controls DNA methylation, and keeps your heart healthy.
Most store-bought cheeses today are pasteurized and processed, removing many of its health benefits. Some cheeses are also made with milk from cows raised in confined animal feeding operations (CAFOs). CAFO cows are fed an artificial diet of growth hormones and additives, and kept in horrible living conditions that make them susceptible to bacterial infections.
So when it comes to cheese, buy those that are made from raw, grass-fed cows’ milk, because of the following health benefits that you can receive:
- A healthy ratio of omega-6 to omega-3 fats. Both types of fat, especially omega-3s, are good for you, but too much omega-6s can set you up for cardiovascular disease, cancer, Alzheimer’s disease, rheumatoid arthritis and diabetes
- High-quality protein and amino acids
- Five times more conjugated linoleic acid (CLA), a nutrient that can improve your metabolism and fight cancer
- Higher amounts of calcium, magnesium, zinc, phosphorus, beta-carotene and vitamins A, B2, B12, C, D, and E
- Vitamin K2, which is formed during the fermentation process, assists in preventing inflammation, osteoporosis, and arterial calcification, and boosting insulin sensitivity and bone health
Coconut oil is becoming popular these days for all the right reasons. It’s healthier than most vegetable oils because of the lauric acid in it that’s converted into monolaurin — a monoglyceride that effectively wards off viruses, influenza, measles, gram-negative bacteria and protozoa. Coconut oil is also known to work wonders for your heart, brain, thyroid, immune system, skin and metabolism.