Green Options

Ah, comfort foods. Whether you’re snowed in with the winter blues, sick as a dog, or suffering from a sadness that only carbs can fix, comfort foods make us feel warm and relaxed. I had a painful run-in with the dentist this weekend, so not only am I craving a little comfort, but something soft and mushy… and potatoey, and buttery… Ok, I’ll stop drooling now. It’s mashed potato time!

And of course, what’s more comforting than knowing that you’ve bought local, quality ingredients to add to your dish as well? Comfort foods should be as easy to make, as they are pleasing to eat. The great thing about mashed potatoes is, there’s no exact science to it.

Peel your potatoes (7 russet potatoes makes about 5-6 servings) and cut them into medium sized chunks. Boil for about 25 minutes, or until soft. Add in small doses salt, milk product, and butter product (I use soy milk and Earth Balance margerine). Mash, and experiment with the ingredients until you’ve got the desired consistency and flavor.

While I tend to be a bit of a potato purist, I know that the same old thing can get a little bland after a while, so here are three mashed potato varieties:

I’m not exactly sure why, but brussel sprouts somehow earned the reputation of the vegetable most feared by children everywhere. Threats of cleaning your plate before dessert have done a disservice to one of my favorite vegetables.

Another problem, alluded to in a comment in Ali’s post yesterday is that many people don’t quite know how to cook them. I was telling a friend recently how I typically cook these mini-cabages and she asked me, “You don’t boil them first?”

I gasped. Why would anyone do that to a vegetable? The truth is, save for potatoes that I intend to mash, I never boil my veggies. It’s a sure way to lose nutrients and flavor. Since brussel sprouts are in season in my area, (if you don’t see it listed on your local calendar, check the availability of cabbage), I cooked some up a side dish last night. In the spirit of keeping it simple, here’s the easy way I roast my brussels:

It’s Monday, and in the Green Options office that can only mean one thing: Soup Day!

Every Sunday evening I cook up a great big pot of veggie soup for our small team in San Francisco, and others bring bread or drinks. Not only does it add a little spice to an otherwise not-so-fun day of the week, but it also has some environmental benefits.

How so? Simple: less waste from take-out.

When you’re busy running a startup, it can be tough even for the greenest among us to bring lunch from home every day. So we end up consuming a lot of takeout. Even with more restaurants greening their packaging, you still tend to end up with way more napkins than you need, extra utensils, and more. Wouldn’t it be better to simply not worry about packaging at all?

I can bring in a big tupperware container of soup, and use the dishes and silverware in our kitchen, rather than disposables. Beyond that, when I cook from home, I know where every ingredient comes from. I try to use organic when possible, and everything that comes out of my kitchen is vegan-friendly.

So why not try some communal lunches in your office? Even if you work with a much larger group, start up a lunch club, where colleagues can alternate bringing in home-cooked meals. I’d love to hear about other ways you’re eating better in the workplace!

And of course, I’d be a tease to go on and on about soup without offering up a recipe. Without further adieu, here’s this week’s soup:

Tuna has been quite the newsworthy fish lately, popping up in all kinds of reports. The New York Times ran an article last month on dangerous levels of mercury in tuna used in sushi. A recent post on Sustainablog takes a look at the safety of canned tuna as well.

If you’re concerned about health risks (or have given up fish for other reasons), but can’t get enough of that lunchtime staple, here’s a simple recipe for an alternative to traditional tuna salad:

1 Can of chickpeas (Bonus points if you can soak them yourself. Find instructions here.)
2 Heaping tablespoons of mayonnaise, or alternative (My favorite is eggless Vegenaise.)
1 Tablespoon flax seed oil
1 Medium carrot, shredded
1/3 Cup chopped celery
4-5 Sprigs of dill, chopped
Salt and pepper to taste