Sustainable Sunday: Veal Sliders with Onion Rings

Happy Earth Day everyone! We celebrated the Earth on this lovely Sustainable Sunday with veal sliders and onion rings.

A couple weeks back we made our way up to the Waimea farmer's markets where we can find delicious goodies not sold at the markets here in town, such as mushrooms, goat cheese, and lamb. (Although I did see that Ohia Farms had lamb this week in Keauhou). Let's be real, it's a splurge to drive an hour out of the way to buy Hawaii raised meat, so we stocked up a bit.

We scored some ground veal from Hawaii Ranchers, who raise their cows hormone and antibiotic free on grassy free-range ranches. This a meat product I can get behind.

Now, I don't want you to think we are going meat crazy around here. It is true that after spending the last year on a vegetarian diet and the first part of this year mostly vegan, I am feeling rather indulgent what with all the lamb and charcuterie that's made its way into my kitchen as of late and I'm loving sharing the happiness these meats have brought to my tummy. In real life, we eat meat about once a week as I'm very aware that it's easy to overdo it. My main goal is to make our diet mostly plant based, for health and saving the Earth purposes.

Speaking of saving the Earth, I hope you'll enjoy this week's Sustainable Sunday fare, recipes below.

Veal Sliders
serves 2-4

1 pound ground veal (from Hawaii Ranchers)
1 clove garlic, sliced
1/8 cup Worcestershire sauce
salt & pepper to taste
6-8 taro sweetbread rolls (from Punalu'u Bake Shop)
6 lettuce leaves
1 tomato
cheese, mayo, ketchup, mustard as desired

Combine veal, garlic, Worcestershire, and salt & pepper in a bowl. Form meat into 6-8 patties, depending on how many you are cooking for.

Add a little olive oil to a pan over medium high heat. Cook patties in the pan for about 3 minutes each side for medium rare. Split buns and toast in pan. Assemble with lettuce, tomato, and whatever goodies you like. Enjoy!

Veal from Waimea Farmer's Market, rolls and sea salt from KTA, lettuce and tomato from Keauhou Farmer's Market, other ingredients not locally sourced (sorry!).


Baked Onion Rings
serves 2-4

1 Maui onion (or other sweet variety)
1 egg
1/2 cup milk
1 cup flour
1 cup panko
salt & pepper to taste

Preheat oven to 450. Slice onion into 1/2" rings and separate rings from each other. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

In a small bowl, combine egg and milk along with some salt and pepper. Place flour and panko on 2 separate plates, season both with salt and pepper.

Dip/dredge rings in this order: flour, egg mixture, then panko. This process takes a little time, so try to get a helper. Place rings on the baking sheet. I was able to fit them all onto one, but you may need more sheets.

Bake for 10 minutes, then carefully flip rings and bake for another 10 minutes. Crunchy and delicious, best when eaten immediately. Enjoy!

Maui onion from Costco, egg from Keauhou Farmer's Market, sea salt from KTA, other ingredients not locally sourced.