Green Recipes for Earth Hour

by Michele Cheplic | More from this Blogger

29 Mar 2008 06:39 AM

If you plan to go "green" tonight to celebrate Earth Hour (the event encourages people around the world to turn off their lights at 8 p.m. to raise awareness about climate change) then why not whip up a few green dishes to spice up the festivities?

I know, it seems a bit corny, but ever since I missed making a green colored dish on St. Patrick's Day my young daughter has been begging me to make amends. So instead of waiting until Earth Day (April 22, 2008) to make the following dishes I figured I would do so tonight in honor of Earth Hour.

The first recipe is as kid-friendly as they come (especially if your child loves fruit as much as mine does). All it calls for is any green colored fruit that your family will eat. It takes less than 15 minutes to prepare and the best part... it's good for you.

The second dish is a classic broccoli stir-fry that features a delicious Chinese inspired sauce. (It's the sauce that makes the dish.) It too is simple, healthy, and... undeniably GREEN.

GREEN FRUIT SALAD

Ingredients:

2 cups honeydew melon (you could either use make balls or chunks)

2 cup green seedless grapes

2 kiwi fruit, sliced

2 cups green apples, diced or thinly sliced

Juice from 1/2 a lime

1 sliced lime

Fresh mint

Directions:

In a large bowl gently toss together fruit with fresh lime juice. Scoop fruit into individual clear glass bowls or in one large clear glass bowl.

**If you are serving this dish to adults you could pour a little champagne on top of the fruit.

Garnish with fresh limes slices and fresh mint.

Serves 6-8.

BROCCOLI STIR FRY

Ingredients:

1/2 head broccoli, cut into florets with stems trimmed

1/2 red bell pepper, sliced julienne

1/4 cup toasted almond slices

Peanut oil

Ingredients for Sauce:

2 tablespoons vegetarian oyster sauce

2 tablespoons soy sauce

1 teaspoon sugar

1/2 teaspoon sesame oil

3/4 cup vegetable broth

1/4 teaspoon white pepper

Directions:

***Pre-mix 1 tablespoon cornstarch and 1-2 tablespoons of water for thickening at the end.

Place broccoli and oil in large pan and stir fry on medium-high for several minutes.

Combine ingredients for sauce.

Add the red bell pepper and sauce to the broccoli and continue cooking until the broccoli is tender.

Add cornstarch to veggies to thicken.

Remove from heat.

Garnish with almond slices.

Related Articles:

Mint Chocolate Treats

Broccoli Soup Your Kids Will Love

Easy Broccoli Coleslaw

Learn more about Michele Cheplic

Michele Cheplic was born and raised in Hilo, Hawaii, but now lives in Wisconsin. Michele graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Madison with a degree in Journalism.

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