Sustainable, Canadian-grown microgreens are the stars of these 7 delicious recipes
These days, it’s more important than ever to support Canadian companies. Specifically, Canadian companies that create their goods in Canada.
An easy place to start is in the kitchen. While up to 90% of leafy greens are imported from Arizona or California and trucked thousands of miles to Canadian grocery stores, GoodLeaf Farms is growing micro and leafy greens right here in Canada.
Established in 2012, GoodLeaf is the only vertical farming operation in Canada serving the entire country, with three state-of-the-art vertical farms that grow year-round in a controlled environment.
This means that Canadians can access fresher, better-tasting greens while supporting local communities and sustainable practices. We’re talking farming free from pesticides, herbicides, and fungicides, and up to 97% less water used than conventional farming practices.*
These microgreens are also more nutritious!
The nutty, peppery Intensely Arugula Micros have four times the Vitamin C of mature arugula per gram. Magic Micro Broccoli is a great source of Vitamin K and delivers over 21 times the Vitamin A per gram compared to mature broccoli, and the sweet and crisp Sweet Pea Shoots pack a nutritional punch with nine times the Vitamin A of mature peas per gram.
What will you cook up with GoodLeaf Hero Greens? Here are seven delicious recipe ideas to get you started.
Ham & Arugula Breakfast Bagel
If breakfast is the most important meal of the day — it should be a meal you look forward to. The ham & arugula breakfast bagel uses GoodLeaf Farms Intensely Arugula Micros to strike a deliciously fresh and crispy contrast to pan-fried eggs, ham, cheese, and a toasted bagel.
Add any condiments or extra add-ons you like and you’ve got a customizable breakfast perfect for mornings at home or on the go.
Microgreen Cold Rolls
If one of your goals this year is to save money, packing a lunch instead of buying one is a great place to start, and these microgreen cold rolls taste just like takeout, only fresher!
Rice paper wrappers, vermicelli noodles, and a GoodLeaf Farms Hero Green of your choice are the bases of this dish, and you can elevate it with your favourite vegetable or meat add-ins. 45 minutes of prep and cooking in exchange for a week of lunches? Yes, please.
Microgreen Goddess Salad
This green goodness salad bowl uses Intensley Arugula Micros, Magic Mirco Broccoli, and Sweet Pea Shoots for the salad base.
A medium-boiled egg, grilled asparagus, avocado, pumpkin seeds, cooked quinoa, snap peas, and cucumbers ensure that this salad leaves you satisfied in both taste and nutrition, while the creamy basil-yogurt dressing is so crave-worthy it just might become a staple in all your salads.
Bacon Peas Tomato Sandwich
Introducing a nutritious twist on the BLT you know and love. The BPT – that’s bacon peas and tomato — replaces lettuce with GoodLeaf Sweet Pea Shoots and subs out mayo for a healthier pea and avocado spread. But don’t worry — the bacon isn’t going anywhere.
Butternut Squash and Micro Broccoli Pesto Pizza
Did someone say pizza night? GoodLeaf Farms’ Magic Micro Broccoli stars in the homemade pesto recipe, which acts as the base for fresh, rolled-out pizza dough. Top with squash, onion, and feta, and bake until crispy. A micro-broccoli garnish and a dash of chilli flakes complete the dish.
Black Bean Stuffed Sweet Potatoes
Who said a loaded baked potato couldn’t pack a punch of protein? This deliciously fluffy and nutrient-dense alternative fills oven-roasted sweet potatoes with beans, sour cream, feta cheese, and of course, a handful of arugula. Pro-tip: Kick things up a notch by adding a drizzle of your favourite hot sauce.
Pea Shoot Primavera
Fresh, high-quality ingredients can transform a good pasta dish into a great one, and this pea shoot primavera is no exception. Cherry tomatoes and sauteed julienned vegetables get tossed with pasta, roasted garlic, rosemary, and lemon juice in this vibrant take on a classic comfort dish.
Top your finished meal with parmesan and pea shoots — and don’t be afraid to get generous!
With an endless array of recipes, it’s easy to enhance your meals while supporting local growers and sustainable practices, just by adding GoodLeaf Hero Greens to your grocery list. Retailers include Safeway, Whole Foods, Superstore, Sobeys, NoFrills, Save On Foods, and more.
*Based on GoodLeaf Farms Internal Measures vs. Comparison of Land, Water, and Energy Requirements of Lettuce Grown Using Hydroponic vs. Conventional Agricultural Methods, International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, ISSN 1160-4601.
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