Vegan Recipe - Cabbage Medley

One of the easiest ways to reduce one's carbon footprint is to eat meatless meals. Why? Well, the fact is that plant based foods take far fewer natural resources to produce than foods derived from animals. For example, water ... it is estimated that to produce a single pound of beef it takes 1,800 - 2,500 gallons of water. A single pound of tofu (made from soy beans) takes approximately 220 gallons of water. That's quite a difference.

If you're shaking your head at this point, thinking that there is no way you could switch to a vegetarian diet ... well ... good news ... switch to just one plant-based meal a week to have a positive impact on the earth. Consider this ... “If 10,000 people replaced a beef meal with a vegetarian option just once a week for a year, we’d save enough water to fill roughly 605 Olympic-sized swimming pools” … Body + Soul Magazine, 2008. Isn't that amazing?

Still need a little encouragement? Well, each month ... right here on Reduce Footprints ... we'll post a vegan recipe ... something to tease your taste buds and delight your tummies. Ready to give it a try?

This month's recipe comes from jperceval at Delphi Forums. It was adapted from a recipe found in the original PETA cookbook The Compassionate Cook. I found it to be easy and delicious ... true comfort food on a cold winter's evening. I hope you enjoy it!


CABBAGE MEDLEY

Ingredients:

1 Tablespoon vegetable oil
1 Medium onion, thinly sliced
1/2 Head green cabbage, thinly sliced or grated
2 Veggie "sausage patties" *
1/2-3/4 Cup vegetable stock *
Cooked whole wheat pasta (amount varies based on your preference)
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder *
grated Parmesan cheese, to taste *

* denotes changes and/or additions to the original PETA recipe.

Process:

In a large frying pan, heat the oil over medium heat and saute the onion until translucent and starting to become tender. Add the cabbage and veggie sausage and saute until cabbage gets a little caramel color. Break up sausage as it cooks. Add the stock, lower heat, cover, and simmer until cabbage softens to your liking. Add the cooked pasta and stir until heated through. Season with salt, pepper, and garlic powder. Serve in a bowl with grated Parmesan on top.


Doesn't that sound great? It's easy, delicious and ... earth-friendly. What could be better!

As always ... I would love to hear from you!