Chicory.  No, Really.

We normally offer up a brunch recipe on Sundays, but, well, we slept in AND lost an hour to daylight saving's time, so chopping and mixing and sweating over a hot stove just isn't going to happen today. However, this doesn't mean that we won't have a chance to stop by the farmer's market for some seasonal vegetables to cook tonight.  On our grocery list today:  chicory, a leafy green with many varieties including radicchio, sugarloaf, and Belgian endive.  It's not sexy.  Sorry.  But it is beneficial for digestion, the circulatory system and the blood, and it's a good source of calcium, vitamin A and potassium.  Still not exactly drooling?  Check out these delicious recipes below, and try one out today:

Seared Sea Scallops with Banyuls Vinegar and Chicory Slaw -- this five-ingredient recipe is simple, but it looks and sounds impressive, so cooking this dish feels almost like cheating.  (But without the guilt.)

Chicory Salad with Walnuts and Parmesan -- this is another easy recipe that can be whipped up quickly.  We love that it integrates walnuts, which are rich in heart-healthy omega fatty acids and a long list of vitamins and minerals.

Flash-Seared Salmon with Rocket Pesto -- we LOVE pesto.  What is there not to love about garlic, pine nuts, parmesan cheese, and olive oil?  Salmon is another great love of our life, and it loves us back -- it is chock full of protein, omega fatty acids, and vitamins like Vitamin D and the B vitamins.  This recipe is pretty simple and oh so good.

Roasted Squash Chestnut and Chicory Salad with Cranberry Vinaigrette -- for those future Top Chef contestants who turn their noses up at easy recipes, this one is much more involved, with roasted squash, chestnuts, pancetta, and a made-from-scratch cranberry vinaigrette.

Baked Chicory with Chicken in a Sage & Mustard sauce -- this recipe is creamy, decadent, and cheesy (in a good way).  It's kind of like mac n cheese, but with low-fat, protein-rich chicken and nutrient-rich chicory instead pasta (though it's still not a great choice if you're counting calories, sorry). This dish also makes for the perfect crowd-pleaser at dinner parties.

Chicory and Camembert Quiche -- if you're really dying for some brunch food, this is a nice simple breakfast recipe that we adore.  Think of how virtuous you will feel when it's not even noon, and you already have a serving or two of vegetables under your belt.