Need some dinner inspiration to eat more local? We got you! Featuring weekly dinner meal plan ideas, highlighting seasonal items in stock at kauailocalfood.com! Subscribe to our blog to get the local meal plans sent your inbox each week.
A few important notes:
We’re not going for 100% local. There are many things we love that just aren’t readily available or accessible locally – such as rice, pasta, tortillas, noodles, etc. We’re shooting for better eating for our food system, not perfect.
The majority of our customers are meal eaters so you’ll see a local protein featured in each day’s meal, but feel free to swap out the meat with veggies if you’re a vegetarian!
We’re not providing detailed step by step recipes here, just local meal plan ideas. Recipes are easily Google’d, and so many of you are great cooks already- we figured you might wing it anyways!
Sunday: Grilled Sausages with Collard Greens – Grill your favorite sausages and pair them with sautéed collard greens cooked with garlic, onions, and a splash of apple cider vinegar. Serve alongside taro rolls and flavored butter for a simple, satisfying dinner.
Monday: Hamburger Watercress – Quick and simple, sautéed ground beef with garlic, onion, patis, shoyu, and watercress.
Tuesday: Pork and Mizuna Stir-Fry – Quick and flavorful, this stir-fry combines ground pork with chopped mizuna, garlic, and soy sauce. Toss in thinly sliced turnips and bok choy for added crunch. Serve over rice or noodles and garnish with fresh cilantro and a squeeze of lime.
Wednesday: Tortang Talong – Filipino Eggplant Omelette. A savory Filipino classic! Char-grill eggplants until soft and smoky, then peel and flatten. Dip in beaten eggs seasoned with salt and pepper, and pan-fry until golden. Serve with steamed rice and a side of fresh tomato salsa for a flavorful and simple end to the week.
Thursday: Beef Pad Thai Night
Enjoy a Thai-inspired classic! Sauté sliced beef with garlic and tamarind paste, then toss in cooked rice noodles. Add a mix of bean sprouts, green onions, and crushed peanuts for crunch. Finish with a squeeze of lime and fresh cilantro for a flavorful and vibrant dish.
Friday: Japanese Hamburger Curry Night – Warm up with a savory and hearty Japanese-style curry! Sauté ground beef with garlic and onions, then add chunks of carrots, green beans, eggplant, and ‘uala (Okinawan sweet potatoes). Simmer everything in a rich curry sauce until tender. Serve over steamed rice for a comforting end to the week.
Saturday: Caldo Verde Night – Savor the comforting flavors of this traditional Portuguese kale soup! Simmer potatoes, onions, and garlic in a savory broth, then blend until smooth. Add sliced sausage and ribbons of kale, cooking until tender. Serve hot with crusty bread for a hearty and satisfying meal.