Portland food writer and recipe developer Laura B. Russell (of The Gluten Free Asian Kitchen) is ready to reveal a new cookbook featuring all things brassica—and we’ve got a copy for one lucky reader looking to step up their veggie game. Brassicas—also referred to as cruciferous vegetables—are nutritional powerhouses, with an abundance of vitamins, nutrients, and cancer-fighting properties packed into every member of the veg family.

In Brassicas: Cooking the World’s Healthiest Vegetables (out April 8^th from Ten Speed Press; $23; 167 pages), Russell isn’t afraid to take on veggies will bad reputations—but boiled-down versions of these brassicas don’t stand a chance against the flavorful recipes she’s created for the home cook. Hungry readers will find: 

• Smoky Kale Salad with Toasted Almonds and Egg
• Charred Brussels Sprouts with Pancetta and Fig Glaze
• Roasted Broccolini with Winey Mushrooms
• Spicy Soba Noodles with Wilted Watercress
• White Pizza with Arugula and Prosciutto
• Grilled Baby Bok Choy with Miso Butter
• Mizuna Salad with Cumin-Roasted Cauliflower

In addition to the 80 mouthwatering and versatile recipes, the book comes equipped with tips and tricks for identifying, washing, storing, and prepping brassicas so that readers have the culinary courage to tackle these potent veggies. As for the recipes themselves, Russell cooks up crucifers with methods that highlight each food’s intrinsic flavors by roasting, grilling, and stir-frying everything from cauliflower to collard greens with complementary ingredients inspired by cuisines around the world. All recipes in the book are gluten free and come with modifications to accommodate vegetarian, vegan, and soy-free diets. 

Does it get any better than that? Actually, it does. Because we’re giving away a free copy to one of our readers! In order to win a copy of Laura Russell’s Brassicas, a $23 value, tell us your favorite brassica vegetable in the comments below. The contest will be open until noon on Thursday, April 17.

Hungry for more? To give Portlanders a taste of all that the cookbook has to offer, Harvester Brewing is whipping up a seven-course, gluten-free brassicas feast.

Gluten-Free Brassicas Dinner at Harvester Gastropub with Laura Russell

What: To celebrate the release of Laura Russell’s newest book Brassicas: Cooking the World’s Healthiest Vegetables, Harvester chef Neil Davidson (an alumn of Thomas Keller's Ad Hoc) will be preparing a seven-course gluten-free meal paired with Harvester’s killer selection of gluten-free beer. Menu highlights are set to include ale-braised beet short ribs with cauliflower rice, an Antipasti Platter with pickled veggies, smoky kale salad, smoked trout, prosciutto pizza, and hazelnut-crusted chocolate cake.
When: April 15, 7 pm
Where: Harvester Gastropub, 2030 SE 7th Ave
How Much: $65. Tickets available online.