Mindful cooking is climate-friendly cooking: no-waste meals, more sustainable and planet-conscious ingredients. With small changes to your day-to-day cooking routine, you can make a big impact on the health and future of our planet. We’ve rounded up nine weeknight dinners that show how cooking with the environment in mind can be easy, affordable, and delicious! Check them out below.
Carolina Gold Risotto
The nuanced flavors of heritage grains like Carolina Gold rice are allowed to shine when used in simple side dishes like this pared-down risotto. Rich, homemade chicken broth will make this recipe from Anson Mills exceptional, but if that’s not possible, use the best brand available in stores.
Pasta with Veggie Pesto and Peel Chips
As it turns out, no-waste meals can be incredibly delicious! Stop Food Waste Day’s pasta uses all parts of the vegetables to create a play on textures that makes this recipe stand out from many others. Plus, no stinky garbage the next day!
Nori Taco Bar
Nori, the highly sustainable dried seaweed seen most often in Japanese cuisine, replaces tortillas here for a fun, low-cal twist on Taco Night from Furthermore. Your nori can be filled with all kinds of fish (cooked or raw!) and vegetables, including radish, cucumber, carrots, and celery. The possibilities are endless.
Sorghum Grain Bowl
Cheap and plentiful, sorghum has long been a beloved staple sweetener in the South. It’s also a “superfood,” boasting protein, fiber, iron, and potassium. Here, it’s the star of a quickie weeknight dish featuring a delectable miso-mushroom mix from Cooking Light.
Sheet Pan Fish-and-Chips
Earth-friendly tip: Buy sustainable seafood and give this healthy twist on comfort food a try. There are plenty of great seafood shops around Texas that offer sustainable seafood options—it truly tastes better too.
Bean and Grain Stew with Garlic Chiles
Pro tip: Base your meals around more sustainable beans, lentils, and grains. Beans are a great source of protein, but they are also a great way to enjoy a meat-free meal that doesn’t have to taste like you are missing out on anything. We love this grain stew from Bon Appétit that is packed with garlic and chiles and makes you feel good as well!
Spinach and Sweet Potato Stuffed Shells
Try going vegan on certain days of the week. Dairy-free alternatives are so good these days, you won’t even miss the cheese in our flavorful stuffed shell recipe that is filling, vegetarian, and good for you.
Southwestern Veggie Burger
This Southwestern twist on a burger from A Thought for Food offers a nice break from the classic version and toppings, plus it’s better for you and the planet. The black bean patty provides the perfect base for spicy homemade grilled corn salsa and creamy avocado.
Roasted Carrot Tart with Carrot-Green Pesto
This recipe from EatingWell uses every part of the carrot, turning the green tops into a vibrant pesto. No-waste cooking does require some creativity, but you’ll be amazed at what you can do with some of your food scraps. When in doubt, pop them in a bag in your freezer and make our no-waste freezer stock!
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