Tag: green kitchen

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Articles Eco Eats Uncategorized

Go Italian for Meatless Monday with Stuffed Shells

Meatless Mondays, and other food-themed days of the week, were invented to help stave off the boredom of having the same dishes over and over again. Even within those parameters, though, you could find yourself falling into a rut when it comes to the meatless dishes that grace your table each Monday. Stuffed shells is a classic Italian dish that lends itself to a variety of different versions, making it easy for you to customize it to suit your palate.

Modern Twist on an Old Favorite Embraces Versatility

While you start this recipe the same way regardless of which version you make – by boiling water to cook the typical large shells that can easily be stuffed – there the similarities end. You can tweak the filling for the shells to suit your dietary restrictions. For example, you can use soy ricotta cheese if you are dairy free or an egg substitute if you are also a vegan, to make the filling for the shells.

It is All in The Sauce

The sauce that you use in this recipe is another avenue that allows for plenty of adaptation and customization. A good marinara sauce – store-bought or homemade from ingredients from your garden – provides a delicious and light taste that allows you to savor each of the individual flavors equally. Adding chopped vegetables – spinach, zucchini and carrots are just a few ideas – while the sauce is simmering increase the healthy quotient of this meal. Additions, such as tofu or textured vegetable protein (TVP), add a significant dollop of protein.

Basic Stuffed Shells Recipe

12 large pasta shells

1 teaspoon extra-virgin olive oil

2 teaspoons minced garlic or 2 cloves of fresh garlic

1-1/4 cups finely chopped onion

1-1/2 cups ricotta cheese or substitute

3 tablespoons Parmesan cheese

Seasonings to taste (black pepper, Italian seasoning, etc.)

1 egg, lightly beaten

1-1/2 cups of sauce

1 cup mozzarella cheese

1. Generously grease a 9 inch baking dish and set aside. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

2. Stirring often, cook pasta shells according to the directions on the package just until tender. Drain, rinse under cold water and set aside.

3. Heat oil in large skillet and add the onion and garlic, cooking until translucent.

4. Mix ricotta, egg and parmesan cheese, seasoning it to taste. Add cooked onion and garlic before mixing well.

5. Using about two tablespoons, generously stuff each cooked shell before arranging them in the dish.

6. Top with sauce and sprinkle with mozzarella cheese. Bake for 30 minutes. Makes about 4 servings.

 

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Articles Eco Eats Eco Tips Uncategorized

Ways to Preserve Summer’s Bounty

It might be hard to believe, but the end of the growing this summer’s growing season is right around the corner. Many of the fruits and vegetables are reaching their peak and must be picked now before they begin to wither on their vines or stalks. In order to enjoy the benefits of summer’s bounty, there are a few tricks and tips to implement now.

Freeze

One of the best ways to extend your enjoyment of summertime foods is to freeze them. Quick and easy, freezing foods at the peak of their freshness helps retain their vibrant colors and superior nutritional value. To freeze berries, gently wash them in cool water before patting them dry and lay them on wax paper-lined cookie sheets in a single layer. After they are frozen, place in a freezer safe container or bag, making sure to remove all the air first, before closing it securely. This method works for all berries except for blueberries. Washing them before freezing makes their skins tough so avoid doing so. Just be sure to do so before using them later.

Zucchini and other vegetables can be shredded so they can easily be added to baked goods and savory sauces before being placed in freezer safe bags. Be sure to label storage containers and bags with the type of food and the date.

Canning

Canning allows you to turn the berries, cucumbers and peppers you pick this summer into delicious, fresh-tasting condiments that can be enjoyed by your whole family, even when the season is over. Today, there is an array of different methods you can use to can different foods. Whether you want to go the traditional route and can foods using a pressure cooker or you want to try one of the newer no-cook methods, be sure to follow the directions carefully in order to ensure optimal results.

Be sure to have fun experimenting with the best ways to preserve summertime crops. Taking the time to do this now will ensure that you can enjoy the taste of fresh foods, even in the dead of winter.

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Eco Eats Eco Tips Uncategorized

Preserving Blackberries

The middle of summer means that blackberries are beginning to ripen. Whether you pick them yourself in the fields or buy them at a farmer’s market, blackberries have a sweet, tangy flavor that is reminiscent of the hot days, cool breezes, and long afternoons of summertime. Preserving blackberries for winter can give you a taste of summer during chilly January days.

Of course, when you preserve blackberries, you can make them into jam or can them in a sugar syrup. However, the simplest way to put back berries for the long, cold winter months is to freeze them. You do not need a large deep-freezer to do this unless you plan on freezing many gallons of berries. Most of the time, your ordinary kitchen refrigerator-freezer will be sufficient.

Needed Supplies

Before you start, you should gather your supplies. You will need zip-top freezer bags in quart or gallon size. You will also need a colander, a clean kitchen towel, a clean cookie sheet, and a spatula.

Cleaning Blackberries

First, spread the berries on the cookie sheet. Examine them closely, and discard any berries that are bruised, soft, or squashed. Pick out any bits of foreign matter that you may find, like berry caps or pieces of grass.

Next, place the berries in the colander and put the colander in the kitchen sink. With the spray attachment at your sink, rinse the berries fully with cool water. You may want to shake the colander to rearrange the berries and make sure that they are all clean. Shake the colander to help the berries drain.

Spread your kitchen towel on the counter and pour the blackberries from the colander onto the towel. This will help blot up any excess water on the berries. You may want to gather up the ends of the towel in your hands and roll the berries around to get them drier.

Freezing and Storing Blackberries

Next, spread the berries in a single layer on your cookie sheet. Place the pan on an empty shelf of your freezer. Freeze the blackberries for five or six hours or overnight. The next morning, you can use a spatula to scrape the berries into the freezer bags. Seal the bags, removing as much air as you can.

Store the berries in the bags for up to six months in your freezer. You can thaw frozen blackberries by warming them in the microwave for 30-60 seconds. They are excellent in smoothies, cobblers, and baked goods or as toppings for waffles and pancakes.

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Eco Tips Uncategorized

Go Green in the Kitchen

The kitchen may be one of the busiest rooms in your entire house, and it’s no surprise that kitchen appliances use a large portion of a home’s energy. Additionally, due to dishwashers and sinks, much of a family’s water usage happens in the kitchen. Use these tips to conserve energy in your kitchen every day. Not only will you be helping to save the planet, but you will also be saving yourself some money. There’s no reason not to use these five tips to go green in your kitchen.

1. Washing dishes.

If you wash dishes by hand, don’t run the water constantly. Instead, fill one side of the sink with soapy water for washing, and fill the other side with clean water for rinsing to save water. However, most newer models of dishwashers are much more efficient than washing dishes by hand, and you won’t need to pre-rinse the dishes. However, you should only run the dishwasher when it is completely full to save on electricity and water.

2. Check fridge and freezer seals.

If the seals on the doors of your refrigerator and freezer are leaky, you could be losing money every month as cool air escapes from the fridge. Put a dollar bill in the door so that it is half in and half out. If you can pull the bill from the door easily, you should replace the seal or give it a good cleaning.

3. Use small appliances.

Instead of heating the oven every time you want to cook, try using a slow cooker. This will not only use less power, but it also helps you to avoid heating up your house in the summer. You should also consider using small appliances, like electric teapots, toasters, and rice cookers, instead of your stove if you can.

4. Fix the sink.

If your sink drips, you could be wasting gallons of water every day. A new washer only costs a few cents, but it could save you many times that on your water bill each month.

5. Install a water filter in the sink.

If you are used to using bottled water, try installing a water filter on your kitchen faucet. You can fill a water bottle and still have the convenience of portable water. However, you won’t have the expense of buying water bottles, and you won’t be generating trash. Alternately, you can use a water-filtering pitcher.

The kitchen is the heart of the home, so express your heart for the earth by utilizing these green kitchen tips.

~April F.

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Eco Eats

Which Fruits and Veggies Should Be Organic?

Some people have read reports about harmful chemical residues in their foods and worry that they will make their kids sick by feeding them fresh produce. These families may not be able to afford to only buy organic produce. Yet, these parents also know that a diet rich in fresh fruits and veggies is crucial for the health of the whole family. Some parents may feel that they are in a no-win situation when planning the family’s meals and snacks.

However, if you are in this position, there is good news. You can prioritize your spending and still feed your family well. Certain types of fruits and vegetables are more likely to be contaminated with harmful chemicals. These varieties should always be bought from an organic farm. However, other types of fruits and veggies are less likely to be contaminated. Those types can be bought from your traditional supermarket produce department.

Every year for the past few years, the Environmental Working Group has released a list of foods that are most likely to be contaminated by harmful residues. They called these foods “The Dirty Dozen.” Here are the foods that are most dangerous due to elevated pesticide levels. You should buy these foods organically if at all possible.

  1. Apples–The old saying, “An apple a day keeps the doctor away.” may not apply to conventionally grown apples. The health benefits of this flavonoid-loaded fruit may be outweighed by the poisons that conventional growers must spray to keep bugs at bay.
  2. Celery–Celery is one of the worst offenders for pesticides. Never buy conventionally grown celery because the pesticide residues are sky-high.
  3. Bell Peppers–Red and green bell peppers are loaded with antioxidants and Vitamin C. Thankfully, they are easily grown at home in a garden or on a patio in pots if you can’t afford organic peppers.
  4. Peaches and Nectarines–Because of their thin skins and abundant insect pests, peaches and nectarines are very likely to have residues. Even frozen and canned peaches can be contaminated, so buy organic.
  5. Strawberries–These soft berries are prone to fungal infections, so commercial growers typically use fungicides on them. Organic varieties may be a bit smaller, but they often have higher levels of antioxidants and greater flavor.
  6. Grapes–Grapes and raisins are sources of resveratrol, an antioxidant that repairs cell damage. However, choose organic versions to avoid pesticide exposure.
  7. Spinach, Lettuce, Kale–Leafy greens are a great source of iron, Vitamin K, Vitamin C, and a host of other crucial vitamins and minerals. Buy organic types to get all of the benefits without the poisons of pesticides.
  8. Cucumbers–Organic cucumbers can provide a cooling burst of sweetness on a hot day and provide plenty of Vitamin K.
  9. Blueberries–Blueberries have one of the highest levels of cancer-fighting antioxidants of 60 tested varieties of fruits and veggies. Commercial growers typically spray their berries with pesticides, so get your antioxidants safely by buying wild-grown berries.
  10. Potatoes–Most of the nutrients found in a potato are in the skin and the thin layer of flesh directly beneath the skin. Choose organic varieties to ensure no harmful pesticides in this root vegetable.
  11. Green Beans–Green beans are great sources of Vitamin C and flavonoids. They are frequently sprayed in commercial fields with pesticides, so organic is a must for this popular veggie.
  12. Cherry Tomatoes–What would a salad be without a few cherry tomatoes? This popular vegetable is loaded with lycopene and can improve prostate health. Choose organic for the most health benefits.

~April F.

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Featured Gadgets & Gear

4 Green Kitchen Gadgets You Shouldn’t Be Without

With people around the country looking for ways to reduce their impact on the environment sometimes the kitchen is overlooked in favor of the laundry room or living room. However we have found 4 eco-friendly kitchen gadgets you shouldn’t be without.

6-Way Opener

Toss your old bottle-opener, and pick up a multifunctional six-way opener. Instead of purchasing multiple gadgets for each task, using a multifunctional device allows you to cut down on materials used, cut down on storage space, and still have the functionality of all six kitchen gadgets.

Handheld Juicer

A lot of kitchen appliances use a lot of energy and an electric juicer is no different. Electric juicers use a lot of energy, take up precious counter space, and using a handheld juicer isn’t really too much of a chore. Newer models of handheld juicers are easier to use, require less hand strength then past models.

Bamboo Cooking Utensils

Bamboo is a great eco-friendly material. It also makes great cooking utensils. These utensils last a long time and don’t stain easily. Bamboo cooking utensils are easy on cookware and won’t scratch your pots and pans.

Faucet Water Filter

We all know that bottled water is bad for you and the environment. However you can still help out the environment by purchasing an inexpensive snap-on faucet filter. You can not only save money but you can save the environment by cutting out the expensive bottled water.

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Eco Tips Featured

4 Things to Help Keep Your Kitchen Eco-Organized

Space is a valued commodity in most kitchens, so we came up with a few new uses for old items that most of us already have stashed away or collecting dust in a closet.

Vintage ceramic crocks. Keep an eye out for ceramic crocks at a second hand store or antique shop. Use them in the kitchen to hold utensils or dried herbs.

Wicker baskets. Wicker baskets are easy to find at most resale shops or just stashed around the house. Use larger baskets for organizing or storing placemats, plates or silverware.

Glass jars. Old glass jars can be labeled and reused as small canisters to hold healthy snacks like almonds, granola or dried fruits.

Loaf pans. Retired loaf pans are ideal to use for neatly classifying and storing kitchen spices or seasonings in cabinets. Label each pan based on general use:  baking spices, poultry seasonings or meat seasonings.