Parenting Tips

Can Kitchen Scraps Be Ingredients? Eco-Friendly Recipes That Are Healthy and Delicious

Written by: Ms LEUNG, Ho Ki, Winky

United Christian Nethersole Community Health Service

Community Nutrition Service / Community Nutrition Promotion Officer

“Six eggs, how much sugar? Two teaspoons, and some orange peel.” Whenever I hear this line from a television advertisement, I can’t help but think, “Can orange peel be an ingredient?” My curiosity drove me to find answers, and I discovered several eco-friendly recipes that use kitchen scraps as ingredients. This new discovery inspired and reminded me that many of the ingredients we casually discard, such as fruit peels, eggs, and bread crusts, are actually useful and can be incorporated into dishes.

 

Take orange peel, for example: it is the main source of aroma in oranges. When food is infused with this natural fragrance and color, it not only enhances the flavor but also makes the presentation more appealing, thereby allowing cooks to reduce the use of chemical flavorings and seasonings.

 

Homemade Orange Jam: Sharing Eco-Friendly Eating Tips

 

Readers might want to try making refreshing orange jam at home. When preparing the jam, pay attention to whether the white part of the orange peel is bitter; if so, only use the orange part of the peel. Soak the orange peel in hot water, then simmer it with the orange flesh and juice until thickened. Once cooled, spread it on toasted whole wheat bread. Additionally, parents can make jam with their children, teaching them the importance of eating two servings of fruit daily while sharing the message of eco-friendly eating.

Food not only provides a sensory delight but also supplies us with energy and health. However, food waste often generates a large amount of kitchen scraps, impacting environmental health. I invite all readers, starting today, to put more thought and creativity into their “food” choices, enjoy with a grateful heart, and actively work towards the goal of “zero waste” in their lives, taking action to love our planet.

For Those Dining Out:

     Low-Carbon Eating Tips:

  • Practice a diet rich in vegetables and low in meat.
  • Order according to your needs (e.g., less rice, less noodles, less sauce).
  • Reduce consumption of coffee and soda (due to excessive fuel and water used in their production) or avoid using straws.
  • Dine in more often and order takeout less.
  • Bring your own food container to “pack” leftover food.

For Those Dining at Home:

Healthy Cooking Tips to Avoid Waste: Watermelon Rind Soup

 

Nutritional Benefits:

  • Watermelon rind has a sweet flavor that enriches the taste of the soup, reducing the need for seasonings.
  • Bread crusts can be baked into crispy sticks and enjoyed with low-fat yogurt.
  • Choosing whole grain bread along with the crusts increases dietary fiber intake, aiding intestinal peristalsis.

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