Plant-Forward Challenge
Take the 5-Day Plant-Forward Challenge
In 2019, the EAT-Lancet Commission — 37 experts in human health, agriculture, political sciences, and environmental sustainability from 16 countries — released a headline-making, in-depth report that outlined the principles for the healthy and sustainable diet that will feed a growing population of 10 billion by 2050. The Commission confirmed the philosophy that has long guided us as a company:
“A diet that includes more plant-based foods and fewer animal source foods is healthy, sustainable, and good for both people and planet. It is not a question of all or nothing, but rather small changes for a large and positive impact.”
TRY ONE PLANT-FORWARD TIP EACH DAY THIS WEEK FOR A MORE PLANT-FORWARD YOU
Use Smart Techniques
Apply cooking techniques often reserved for meats to plants:
- Grill, smoke, braise, marinate, or brown most any vegetable.
- Brine plant-based proteins such as tofu, seitan, and beans.
- Add umami from mushroom powder, bonito flakes, seaweed, kombu, and fish sauce.
Make Fruits and Vegetables Superstars
Use all parts of the plant and make your plate half produce:
- Get creative using the WHOLE vegetable! Pickle peels, toast seeds, and make vibrant salsas from tender tops. Never stop seeking ways to pay homage to the beauty of the entire plant.
- Fill your plate first with in-season vegetables, legumes, and whole grains, only then adding a small amount of well-seasoned meat. Add blasts of flavor with capers, olives, chilies, oyster sauce, garlic, and lots of herbs.
- Plate differently. Lay smaller slices of meat or fish on top of a plant-based dish for big flavor.
Be a Blender
Blend animal proteins with vegetables, whole grains, beans, and/or lentils:
- Replace half the ground beef, pork, or poultry in a recipe with roasted, chopped mushrooms and/or cooked grains.
- Combine equal parts cauliflower rice and regular rice when making fried rice.
- Stack your usual burger with a heap of grilled vegetables. You can reduce the size of your patty in half while boosting flavor, texture, and color.
Get Saucy
Use plant-based sauces, chutneys, salsas, and dips to add flavor and interest:
- Puree cooked carrots + olive oil + herbs + garlic + your favorite spices for an all-vegetable “aioli”.
- Make an umami-packed vegan tapenade to drizzle over fish, slather on bread, or toss with pasta. Create a rough paste of olives + garlic + capers + parsley + lemon juice, then fold in some extra virgin olive oil.
- Replace the classic meat broth- and cream-based sauce with cashew sour cream. The results are creamy, nutty, and pleasingly sour, just like the original version.
Try a New (Plant-Based) Protein
Be it tofu, seitan, beans, or plant-based “meats” ̶ try a plant protein that is new to you:
- Use beans from around the world in different colors, shapes, and sizes. They add a ton of flavor and make a great conversation starter!
- Think you don’t like tofu? Try it with your favorite marinade or sauce or blend it with seasoning as a sauce or mayo replacement.
- New plant-based “meats” come packaged as burgers, dogs, chicken, and more. Try these products in your café or at home.
Plant-Forward Recipes
USE SMART TECHNIQUES: PARMESAN HONEY-ROASTED CAULIFLOWER STEAKS
Move over meat — by marinating and roasting (much like you might with meat), this cauliflower “steak” is hearty enough to steal the center-of-plate stage.
USE SMART TECHNIQUES: QUINOA BEET BURGER WITH HERBED GOAT CHEESE SPREAD AND QUICK-PICKLED CARROTS
Burgers do not have to mean just meat. Try this nutrient-packed all plant-based burger (with a touch of goat cheese) for a hearty, indulgent burger you’ll love.
BE A BLENDER: BLENDED TOFU EGG SCRAMBLE
Get the best of both worlds, more plants without giving up animal foods, with this tasty, blended version of your morning eggs.
MAKE FRUITS AND VEGETABLES THE STARS: OYSTER MUSHROOM BACON BLT
Have fun experimenting with this plant-based “bacon” that can be stacked high for a delicious BLT.
GET SAUCY: AU GRATIN YUKONS WITH BUTTERNUT SQUASH CASHEW SAUCE
With this creamy, rich sauce, you will not miss the dairy! The sauce can be used for any dish (think mac n’ cheese, pastas, and more) that usually calls for a dairy-based cream sauce.
TRY A NEW PLANT-BASED PROTEIN: ROASTED ORANGE TOFU
Give tofu a chance — it takes on the flavors of what it’s cooked in! A combination of savory seasonings with a slightly sweet orange sauce, will make this tofu recipe a favorite.