America throws away nearly 80 million tons of food every year. That's about 40% of our food supply. Waste occurs throughout the food system, and the largest amount comes from households.

Here is one small tip to bring on your radar, that as a consumer can limit your spending and contribution to this national issue.

Of the five food groups recommended by MyPlate (dairy, vegetables, fruits, protein, and grains), this homemade dressing includes three! Although citrus is best fresh squeezed, and many things like olive oil make a terrific monosaturated fat, don't shy to toss in whatever pantry items have been taking up space. This only fuels your efforts at food waste reduction. 

Delightful Dijon Dressing

INGREDIENTS:

• mostly empty mustard jar (roughly 1 Tbsp. of mustard)
• 1/4 cup minced shallot or onions (sub 1 Tbsp. onion powder)
• 2 tsp. minced garlic or crushed garlic
• juice of 2 limes (sub 4 Tbsp. lemon juice)
• 1 tsp. maple syrup or honey
• 1/3 cup olive oil
• 1 tsp. salt
• black pepper to taste

INSTRUCTIONS:

1. Add all of the ingredients to an almost-empty jar of mustard (dijon mustard is used in this video).
2. If there are ingredients you do not have, feel free to substitute what you do have, including dried herbs and spices, and vinegar instead of lemon juice.
3. Close the jar and SHAKE! until all the ingredients are combined and the remaining mustard has been pulled from the walls into the mixture.
4. Taste your dressing and adjust as needed. Extra oil can be added if it tastes too strong for your liking. SHAKE again.
5. Once your dressing tastes good to you, pour it over salads, grain bowls, or whatever else you'd like.
6. If you have any leftover, make sure to label the jar and store it in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.

Case, a Bay Area native and program coordinator at 18 Reasons, developed a burning interest in healthy eating and varied meals shortly after the COVID pandemic, when his passion project ended up being to comb through his family’s accordion folder of recipes and prepare surprise feasts for them. He is firm on the belief that everyone deserves to feel their best, and that the nutritional and communal aspects of food together make it one of the best paths to getting there. When fresh produce are shopped for, seasoned and prepared with love and the right knowledge, mealtime can easily be the highlight of one’s day, providing our brain and body with all the nutrients and flavors they crave. His favorite activities include ecstatic dance, afternoon jogs through GGP, socializing at teabars, reading sci-fi thrillers, fusion cuisine, and meal prepping (black bean hummus or kimchi, anyone?)

18 Reasons is a Chef Partner of the Stop Food Waste campaign. They are a nonprofit cooking school on a mission to empower our community with the confidence and creativity needed to buy, cook, and eat good food every day.