People are often surprised to find out that my family’s diet isn’t 100% plant-based. I hear, “I didn’t think you ate meat!” often. Although unprocessed plants such as vegetables, fruit, beans and legumes make up the majority of what we eat, we do still regularly enjoy meat and seafood with our vegetables. Instead of focusing on meat and seafood as the center of my plate, I love finding recipes that use them to complement vegetables, beans and whole grains. That way I can choose the highest quality meat and seafood for my family while staying well within my budget, plus this ensures that our plates (and bellies) are still filled up with plenty of plants.Stir-fries are one of the simplest ways to let your meat and vegetables share the plate, and they’re one of my go-to dinner solutions. Don’t know how to transform the vegetables in the fridge into something everyone will devour? Just add garlic, ginger, your favorite seasonings or sauce to a pan full of vegetables with a bit of meat for flavoring and soon you will have created an aromatic delight that will look beautiful on the plate. Try Beef Stir-Fry with Bell Peppers, Carrots and Snow Peas opens in a new tab and Pork Stir-Fry with Asparagus, Peppers and Green Onions opens in a new tab.
Another easy way to have your meat and veggies is in soups and stews. Bison Chili opens in a new tab, Italian Chowder with Cod and Kale opens in a new tab, and Chicken and Brown Rice Soup opens in a new tab are all kitchen classics that pair flavorful animal protein with nutrient-dense vegetables, making them delicious!
Looking for meat and seafood dishes that are perfect for the warmer months? Just as I celebrate summer’s arrival with peppers, tomatoes and melons, I welcome wild salmon season happily every year.While grilling, poaching and oven roasting are wonderful ways to enjoy this buttery fish, I also love the ease of Wild Coho Salmon with Sunshine Rice opens in a new tab. Made in one pot and baked with cauliflower (or broccoli) and rice, this versatile dish lends itself well to the addition of extra herbs and seasonings. For a wonderfully summery salmon also try the crowd-pleasing Baked Salmon with Spinach and Strawberry Salsa opens in a new tab. Don’t forget, you can also combine cooked meat and seafood easily with any salad. Lemongrass Steamed Barramundi opens in a new tab with a big beautiful salad topped with Lemon-Miso Dressing opens in a new tab is a particularly good combination.
Choosing unprocessed, whole foods is a priority for me. I believe that these are the best ingredients for creating delicious and healthy meals for my family. Just as I want to make sure my vegetables are the freshest and most flavorful available, I also want my meat and seafood to be the best possible quality, raised and/or caught responsibly and consciously. Because of this, Cajun Grass-Fed Beef Skillet Supper opens in a new tab, is one of my favorite recipes, plus it’s super easy and delicious enough to please even the most devoted meat lover.
What’s your favorite way to have your meat and veggies too?
