Cooking with colour March 26, 2021

We’ve all heard the age old adage that ‘an apple a day keeps the doctor away’, but what about a rainbow a day? Fresh fruit and veggies are packed with essential nutrients, vitamins and minerals, which is why a vibrantly coloured plate is so important at mealtime.
So why not set yourself a challenge and see how many colours of the rainbow you can pile onto your plate? To help you get started, we’ve pulled together some of our most colourful (and delicious) dishes!
Red, Orange & Yellow
Great news if you’re a fan of red veggies like tomatoes and red capsicum! They’re coloured by a natural plant pigment called lycopene, which is an antioxidant that has been linked to good heart health.
Cheesy Veggie-Loaded Grilled Gnocchi – 3.58 star rating
Veggies in this group get their vibrant colour from carotenoids, which have been said to have anti-inflammatory and immune system benefits. Some carotenoids are converted to vitamin A, which helps to maintain healthy eyes.
Golden Zucchini, Carrot & Cheddar Fritters – 3.59 star rating
Chicken & Creamy Peppercorn Sauce – 3.64 star rating
Green
We all know that greens are good for us! They’re full of phytochemicals that have been said to have anti-cancer properties. Plus, leafy greens like spinach are excellent sources of folate.
Haloumi & Sweet Potato Tacos – 3.59 star rating
Loaded Lentil Cheesy Nachos – 3.55 star rating
Purple
The plant pigment anthocyanin gives purple veggies their unique colour, as well as having antioxidant properties.
Seared Salmon with Mint Pearl Couscous – 3.63 star rating
Japanese Beef Rice Bowl – 3.66 star rating
Brown & White
White produce like bananas and potatoes are good sources of potassium, while others (like garlic) have health-promoting phytochemicals such as allicin that have antibacterial and antiviral properties.