Cooking at Home
Cooking at home can help you and your family enjoy nourishing and delicious meals. It can also be a fun way to create memories with friends, family, and children, pass down food skills, and connect with your culture. Cooking at home can also help you save money.
Use the resources below to help you cook and eat more plant foods. Eating mostly plant foods like fruits, vegetables, whole grains and beans is good for your health and can help you manage and reduce your risk of type 2 diabetes. Visit our Nutrition Tips page for information on planning healthy meals.
Recipes
Try using these recipes to help you eat more healthy foods. Remember that you can make changes to recipes based on you and your family’s tastes and preferences and the foods that are most available to you.
- Farmers Market Recipes (PDF) highlight local produce available at farmers markets, farm stands and food boxes in NYC. Ingredients can also be found at many grocery stores. They are arranged in alphabetical order by main ingredient.
Other Languages (English versions included): Español | 中文 | 简体中文 | Русский | 한국어 | Kreyòl ayisyen | اردو | العربية | Français | বাংলা | ײִדיש - Try these Eat a Whole Lot More Plants recipes for balanced meals featuring plant proteins.
- Tofu and Green Bean Stir-fry with Corn (PDF)
Other Languages: Español | 繁體中文 - Black Bean Tacos with Pineapple Salsa (PDF)
Other Languages: Español | 繁體中文 - Jerk Style Black Beans (PDF)
Other Languages: Español | 繁體中文 - Chopped Broccoli Salad with Walnuts (PDF)
Other Languages: Español| 繁體中文 - Chickpea Curry (PDF)
Other Languages: Español | 繁體中文 - Sweet Potato and Red Bean Chili (PDF)
Other Languages: Español | 繁體中文 - Watch: Culinary Skills Videos and see how to prepare healthy, plant-filled recipes.
- School Food Plant-Powered Recipes: These nutritious plant-based recipes are served in NYC Public Schools and adapted to be made at home.
- NYC Health and Hospitals Plant-Powered Recipes: These recipes include a variety of dishes inspired by the flavors of Latin America, Asia, and other regions.
Cooking and Meal Preparation Tips
Here are some tips and resources to help you prepare and cook ingredients at home for meals and snacks.
- Try cooking with low or no salt. There are lots of great flavors in herbs, spices, fruits and vegetables that can enhance the flavor of your food, with or without adding salt.
- Boost the flavor of your food with spices, herbs, fruits, and vegetables.
- Try using homemade spice blends.
- Save money and reduce food waste by using all parts of fruits and vegetables in your cooking.
- Dried and low-sodium canned beans and lentils can be used in many meals and snacks. They also keep for a long time in your pantry.
- Check out these tips on how to store, prepare and cook with beans.
- Check out these ideas on how to prepare meals and snacks with different types of protein.
- Avoid getting sick from what you cook and eat at home. Visit our Food Safety page and read easy ways to keep food safe for more information.
Read cooking and meal preparation tips in other languages:
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Store Food So It Stays Fresh Longer
Properly stored fruits and vegetables stay fresh longer, taste better, maintain nutrients and can save you time and money. Properly stored food also helps make sure you have food on hand to make meals and snacks when you need them.
- Check out how best to store fruits and vegetables.
- Use these tips to freeze fresh fruits and vegetables so they last longer.
- Use these tips to buy, store, wash and prepare fresh leafy greens.
Read food storage tips in other languages:
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繁體中文 |
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Additional Resources
- Guide to Healthy Eating and Active Living in NYC (PDF)
Other Languages: Español | 繁體中文 | 简体中文 | Русский | 한국어 | Français | العربية | Italiano | Kreyòl ayisyen | Polski | ײִדיש | اردو | বাংলা