8 tasty meat-free dishes that are available every day of the week

It’s Earth Day and if you’re wondering what steps you can take to reduce your carbon footprint, you have tons of options. For example, you can implement reusable bags in stores, take advantage of public transportation and reduce the use of single-use plastics.

But the most impactful individual step we can take for the planet doesn’t start with any of these steps. It starts with what we eat. Moving in the right direction can be as simple as seeking out locally grown, produced, or made food (and supporting local restaurants that do the same).

Another tactic is to reduce the amount of meat we consume. And while you can approach this step with an all-or-nothing attitude, it’s much easier to start with one dish at a time.

Can you go meatless for a day this week? Bet you can. It’s even easier when you have a delightful list of options to choose from. These dishes, available at local restaurants, are just a sample of what’s available in the city. But they are a good starting point!

Blue Star Cafe

1619 N. Farwell Ave., (414) 273-9744
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Somali pancakes (malawah) are thicker than the French variety and slightly sweet. They are speckled with toasted brown spots, making an attractive and tasty wrapper for a hearty helping of spinach, peas, corn and carrots. Enhance the flavor with a dash of basbaas cagaar (green sauce) for herbs or the accompanying thick yogurt, which gives a fresh touch.

ARIA
Saint Kate – The Art Hotel
139 E. Kilbourn Ave., (414) 270-4422
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Aria’s newest menu offers a variety of plant-based options, including this vegetarian (and gluten-free) version of the classic French cassoulet. Infinitely lighter than the meaty original, this hearty bean-based dish features stewed sunchokes, kohlrabi, carrots, celeriac, fennel, cannelini bean ragu and a flavorful polanaise crumble.

Amilinda

315 E. Wisconsin Ave., (414) 369-3683

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The plant-based Escalivada Sandwich starts with a ciabatta roll filled with tender grilled eggplant, peppers and onions and a flavorful roasted fennel spread. It can be picked up at Amilinda on Thursdays and Fridays between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. Order online to pick up at the restaurant.

Saffron
223 N. Water St., (414) 539-4980
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Chaat is one of the most varied street food dishes in the Indian canon, offering a winning combination of sweet, salty, crunchy, spicy and savory ingredients. The latest version of Saffron, with crispy kale, avocado, potato salli (thin, fried potato chips), sweet and spicy mango chutney, Cajun spices and pomegranate seeds. It’s an excellent shareable appetizer that will immediately whet your appetite for the many other vegetable dishes on the menu.

L’Incontro

2315 N. Murray Ave., (414) 409-8040
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L’Incontro’s menu features numerous dishes that put vegetables front and center on the plate (including generously portioned vegetable sides that would make me happy on their own). But if you’re craving pasta, this layered pasta dish with spinach is delicious. Homemade spinach pasta is layered with ricotta, parmesan and stacchino in a striking spiral, flavored with tomato butter and topped with pecorino and pea tendrils.

Creperie Seven Swans
808 E. Chambers St.
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I’ve come to love the charming, relaxed atmosphere at Seven Swans Creperie, which serves a menu of delicious French-style stuffed crepes. The Frenchie is one of the most basic pancakes on the menu; but it is perfect in its simplicity. Filled with sweet caramelized onions and nutty, salty Gruyere cheese, the crepe is delicious just the way it is. But I like to take the option of adding sautéed mushrooms, which give the crepe a delicious boost of earthy umami flavor.

Sorella

2535 S. Kinnickinnic Ave., (414) 301-6255

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Yes, it’s a salad. But it is a delicious one. Tuscan kale meets celery, fennel and crunchy parmesan cheese in this beautiful twist on a classic Caesar. In fact, it is a great addition to pizza with vegetables or seasonal pastas such as potato gnocchi with asparagus, Pecorino Romano and black pepper.

The angry hoopoe
345 N. Broadway, (414) 223-0345
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This hearty homemade black bean patty is beautifully seasoned with a blend of Southwestern spices plus chunks of black beans, corn, and chunks of red pepper. It’s flavorful and just firm enough to hold its shape, and the standard toppings (lettuce, tomato, and sliced ​​red onion) add a nice vegetal component. While I don’t think it needs any extra toppings to make it shine, it’s also delicious with the addition of guacamole and jalapeños, which embrace the Southwestern feel of the burger and give it a little more pop.