Holiday is coming around the corner (or it has come for some of you) and in some to most holidays, you have the perfect time to try some recipes for yourself, your friends, and your loved ones. After all, this season is perfect for parties, so you can cook as many as you want!
To make things even better, make healthier and more eco-friendly food so you’ll benefit yourself and the environment. Here are the recipes that you should definitely try.
1. Pancakes
Ooh, homemade, fluffy pancakes for holiday breakfasts? Sounds great to me. Pancakes are not only great starters for your day, but also easy to make. The healthier version of this pancake includes ripe bananas (the browner the skin, the better) and whole wheat flour. With this, you’ll reduce sugar, save money, and reduce food waste (overripe banana skin is easier to compost, too).
2. Blueberry Slush Papaya Boat
Slushies are great, especially if you live in hotter, tropical areas. Not only that this blueberry slush refresh and cools you down, it doesn’t have added sugar. Simply put, this dessert is something that you almost can’t get enough of (unless your belly can take more).
To make it green, buy frozen fruits to prevent food wastage. With this, you save landfill space and energy to grow, transport, and sell food a little bit. Even though it’s not much, every little thing counts.
3. Dark Chickpea Salad
One of the best ways to go green for holiday cookings is going meatless. This recipe requires dark chickpeas and a blend of indian spices, lemon juice, and fresh herbs. Even though it’s simple, this salad is perfect for breakfast, lunch, or dinner.
Tip: cut your food in smaller chunks or pieces so you’ll have less cooking time. This way, you’ll also reduce energy usage in kitchen and bills! Faster cooking also means you can have more time cooking other foods. A great party recipe that you should have.
Read also: 5 Edible Insects And Its Yummy Secret Recipes
4. No-sugar or low-sugar yogurt with berries
When you’re hosting a party, it never hurts to make some snacks and desserts. You can make things easier and healthier with yogurt. Get sugar free or low sugar yogurt, preferably from brands that offer high protein yogurt like Siggis or Icelandic Provisions.
Just top it with some berries and other healthy stuff like granola, and you have great snack to entertain yourself or your guests. If you like, you can also freeze it and make a nice dessert!
5. Black Bean & Sweet Potato Vegetarian Kebabs
Again, all meaty recipes don’t have to include meat like in this recipe. Despite the name, this recipe is so quick and simple to make. It’s also perfect for you who are short in time and low in ingredients. And by going meatless, you personally cut down a good amount of water usage that’s used to take care of animals.
6. Quinoa Mung Bean Salad
Did you know that by eating more beans help the environment. Pulses like beans have low carbon footprint because farmers only add a bit to no nitrogen fertilizer. Other than that, beans only use half amount of water that’s usually used to produce other sources of protein. That being said, you should try this energizing and meatless salad.
Read also: Lunch Time is Great, but Eco-Friendly Lunch Habits Will Make It Greater
7. Funeral potatoes
The name is rather off putting, but it has a reason. The Mormons usually make this dish when they’re grieving (or one day after somebody’s funeral). Even though the name sounds grim, the food itself is a really great comfort food which is just perfect for holidays. The real recipe requires potatoes, cheese, butter, creamy soups, and potato chips or cornflakes for topping.
Don’t worry, there’s also a healthier version for this. Basically, you make everything lighter (using low fat cheese and sour cream, for example) and you substitute them, but the result is just as delish.
8. Green Smoothie Bowl
Smoothie bowl is so fast to make but the nutrition is so packed and the taste is heavenly. It’s so refreshing, dairy free, and sweet without added sweeteners. This recipe uses soy milk, which will reduce your water footprint significantly.
According to a Dutch study, the water footprint of cow’s milk is around one thousand liters while soy milk only takes about 300 liters. Therefore by using soy milk, you’ll preserve water more and you also reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
9. Meatless meatballs
You can’t deny the fact that meatballs are quality comfort foods, and you can make your guests satisfied without too much hassle. Now, one of the perfect ways to make eco-friendly meatballs is using vegetarian ground meat (which looks and tastes like the real deal) or mushrooms. With this recipe, you’ll eat more healthily and you also reduce your carbon footprint!
Read also: Love Cooking? Here are 10 Tips for a More Eco-Friendly Kitchen
10. Scrambled eggs on whole grain toast
Scrambled eggs is a rich source of protein, and to make a healthy appetizer or breakfast, you should get whole grain bread toasted in olive oil (instead of butter). Adding some veggies and herbs is also recommended for a dish full of smart carbs, fiber, and healthy fats!
11. Grilled cheese
Grilled cheese is finger licking delicious and so easy to make. But, the traditional recipe is so high in calories and saturated fat, and you get little nutrition from it. To make it healthier (and still tasty or flavorful), get whole grain bread (less than 110 calories per slice) and add another 100 calories of quality cheese.
Then, add veggies such as roasted red pepper, spinach, tomatoes, arugula, or some fruit like green apples. To finish, add a bit of cheddar or blue cheese.
12. Pumpkin-Bean Burger With Chili Avocado Mash
Vegan burger that tastes heavenly? This recipe is the answer. What’s great about this recipe is that you can make it in bulk and store in freezer, and you can reheat it for your lunch the next day.
Make this recipe more eco-friendly by getting pumpkins (and other produce) seasonally. Produce that you can find all the time leaves more carbon footprint because of transportation, storing, packaging, and refrigerating.
Did you find any recipe that you can’t wait to try? Or do you have any other comfort food alternatives or eco-friendly recipes that you’ve tried? Let other readers know by commenting down below.
Also, don’t forget to check out this article for a related reading!
Source(s)
https://shahzadidevje.com/mindful-dining-14-eco-friendly-recipes-earth-day/
https://www.mnn.com/food/recipes/blogs/healthier-recipes-funeral-potatoes-comfort-foods
https://www.mnn.com/food/healthy-eating/blogs/craving-stopping-healthy-late-night-snacks
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