Green Cooking

Ok, there's been way too much hype on being green. So much so, that companies are now making many green profits by producing green products. In my dictionary, though, cooking green means literally cooking something green! But we'll get to that later.

There are many ways to "cook green" or in other words, without destroying our environment. Some of the ways in which to do this is to utilize containers that are reusable to store food such as glass corning or pyrex dishes. They come in many sizes and can be used right from the fridge to the oven or microwave. You will save a bunch of money on throw away plastic containers and you will also help to keep that stuff from the overflowing land fills.

Another way to be green in the kitchen is to utilize environmentally friendly products to clean with. There's so many brands out there to choose from. Pick one you like and go with it. Or make your own cleaners. There's a variety of resources on the web to show you how to make a great cleaner out of vinegar and water, or baking soda, or other natural ingredients.

There's even green cookware, that is, cookware that is made with a nonstick coating that doesn't give off poisonous gases when cooking. Now that one is a great improvement for us home cooks. You're already pretty green if you've used stainless steel, cast iron, or enameled cast iron which were always green and last a lifetime. But every home usually has at least one nonstick pan so I'm all for getting one of the newer ones that is both better for you and the planet. I've thrown way too many nonstick pans out in the garbage over the years since the finish always degrades. Next pan will be green, I promise!

A final way to be green...utilize local ingredients, where possible. This is more difficult here on Long Island in the winter...so I can't say that this task will be an easy one. But if you do visit our local farm stands in summer...than that's wonderful. This not only helps our planet but it keeps our farmers on Long Island! And, if you can't buy local than shop local, that is at the nearest store to your home to save on energy. Or at least ride your bike once in a while to the local market with a nice big backpack to carry your groceries in!

So back to Green Cooking and my definition therein. I share with you a quick green cooking recipe I made tonight for dinner. Takes but a few minutes and is oh so delicious!

Italian Style Steamed Spinach

1 package baby spinach
1 clove garlic pressed
2 tablespoons good quality extra virgin olive oil, for drizzling
Salt and Pepper, to taste
2 tablespoons pignolia nuts (pine nuts)

Place the spinach and pressed garlic in a microwave safe dish and cover with a vented plate cover (this is green since I don't use plastic wrap to cover dishes in the microwave..oh, and using the microwave is green since it uses less energy to cook food quickly). Cook on high for 1 minute until the spinach is wilted.

Drizzle the olive oil and season with salt and pepper. Toss with pine nuts and serve.