Earth Day recipes

In addition to eco-friendly food, be the hostess with the most-est and impress your friends and family with an eco-friendly dinner party.

Earth-Day Recipes

Mushroom Kebabs

Makes 4 servings

Ingredients:
3/4 cup sliced fresh mushrooms, any kind
2 red bell peppers, chopped
1 green bell pepper, cut into 1-inch pieces
1/4 cup olive oil
2 tablespoons lemon juice
1 clove garlic, minced
2 teaspoons chopped fresh thyme
1 teaspoon chopped fresh rosemary
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper

Directions:
1. Preheat grill to medium heat and string mushrooms and peppers alternately on metal or soaked wooden skewers. Combine remaining ingredients in a bowl and brush onto skewered vegetables.

2. Place skewers on oiled grill and grill 4 to 6 minutes, turning occasionally and basting with oil. Mushrooms should be tender when finished.

Note: Use any local, seasonal vegetables you can find.

Fresh Fruit and Nut Coleslaw

Makes 6 servings

Ingredients:
1 (8-ounce) can crushed pineapple, drained, reserve 2 tablespoons juice
2 tablespoons lemon juice
1 banana, peeled, sliced
3 cups shredded cabbage
1 cup diagonally sliced celery
1 (11-ounce) can mandarin oranges, drained
1/2 cup chopped walnuts
1/4 cup raisins
1 (8-ounce) container orange flavored yogurt
1/2 teaspoon salt

Directions:
1. Place sliced pineapple in a large bowl and set aside. Combine saved pineapple juice with lemon juice. Mix in banana and combine with reserved pineapple.

2. Mix in cabbage, celery, mandarin oranges, walnuts and raisins. Mix yogurt with salt and toss with fruit mixture.

3. Cover and chill until ready to serve.

Note: If fresh oranges and pineapple are available, use that and substitute fresh orange juice for pineapple juice.

Angel Hair Pasta with Asparagus

Makes 4 servings

Ingredients:
8 ounces angel hair pasta, cooked, kept warm
1 tablespoon olive oil
1-1/2 pounds fresh asparagus, trimmed, cut into 1-inch pieces
1/4 cup chicken or vegetable broth
1/2 pound fresh mushrooms, sliced
1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese

Directions:
1. Heat oil in large frying pan over medium-high heat. Sautee asparagus until crisp-tender, about 3 minutes.

2. Mix in broth and mushrooms and cook another 3 minutes.

3. Combine pasta with asparagus mushroom sauce and toss. Top with red pepper and cheese.

Earth Day Dirt Cups

Makes 8 servings

Ingredients:
2 cups of cold milk
1 package 4-serving instant chocolate pudding
3-1/2 cups frozen whipped topping, thawed
1 (16-ounce) package chocolate sandwich cookies, crushed
Gummy worms or insects

Directions:
1. Whisk together milk with pudding mix until fully combined. Let mixture rest for a few minutes then gently fold in whipped topping and 1/2 of the crushed cookies.

2. Spoon 1 tablespoon of remaining cookie crumbs into the bottom of individual cupcake liners set in a cupcake tin, or a large shallow serving bowl.

3. Fill cups or bowl with pudding mixture and top with the rest of the cookie crumbs. Place gummy worms and insects around to decorate. Chill until ready to serve.

Celebrate Earth Day every day and make it a point to eat eco-friendly dishes on a regular basis. Try these scrumptious eco-friendly recipes featuring eco-friendly cheese.