Look After Your Gut with This Delicious Vegan Recipe

Inside out bodies live trillions of microorganisms, including bacteria and fungi that are collectively known as the ‘gut microbiome’ or ‘gut flora’. Looking after these microorganisms and maintaining the right balance of them is important for both our physical and mental health.

There are several ways in which we can keep the balance of gut flora happy including taking probiotics and reducing our stress levels, but did you know the foods you eat can also help look after your microbiome?

Today, we're sharing a delicious plant-based recipe from Dr Divya Sharma (@doctorbowl) that'll keep you and all that good bacteria in your gut happy!

Broccoli Tabbouleh with Feta and Pomegranate

Ingredients

350g tenderstem broccoli cut into florets
Hemp seed hearts
Brown rice
4 green shallots, thinly sliced
400g can chickpeas, rinsed and drained
1 cucumber, coarsely chopped
200g tomatoes cut in half
½ cup of fresh mint leaves, finely chopped
2 cups of fresh parsley leaves, finely chopped
1 lemon, juiced
2 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
40g vegan feta, crumbled
Pomegranate seeds, to serve
Lemon wedges, to serve

Method

Step 1:

First, put your broccoli in a food processor it’s finely chopped and resembles rice. If you don’t have a food processor, then cutting it finely with a knife will work fine too.

Step 2:

Cook the brown rice as per the instructions. Remember, brown rice will take longer than white rice to cook.

Step 3:

When the brown rice is cooked, combine it with the broccoli, shallot, chickpeas, tomato, cucumber, mint, and parsley in a large bowl. Add in some seasoning and toss to combine.

Step 4:

Place the lemon juice and balsamic vinegar in a small jug and whisk to combine and season.

Step 5:

Pour the lemon juice and balsamic vinegar over the tabbouleh and mix.

Step 6:

Top with crumbled vegan feta, lemon wedges, and pomegranate seeds to finish!

We hope you (and your gut) enjoy this recipe! Remember, to keep the trillions of different microbes happy on the inside, then be sure to feed it plenty of plant-based foods including fruit, vegetables, nuts, and pulses.