Not only has Oddbox delivered over two million boxes to Britons’ doors since its launch in 2016, it has also saved almost 16,000 tonnes of food waste. The brand also offers a plethora of both easy and healthy recipes on its website for you to try at home.
Emilie Vanpoperinghe, CEO and Co-Founder of Oddbox, spoke to Express.co.uk about the importance of being aware of the environment when preparing and cooking food, and how Oddbox can help you do this.
She also went on to share some of Oddbox’s favourite recipes that you can try out at home.
Speaking about her brand, Emilie said: “Each recipe is fighting waste.
“You can find the impact information to show how much energy and water was saved from going to waste if the fresh produce is sourced from our Oddbox weekly fruit and vegetable boxes.
“We’re able to include this because our delicious fruit and veg is rescued from farms where it was either deemed ‘too odd’ to be sold elsewhere, or the farmer had ‘too much’, and is therefore saved from becoming food waste.”
Emilie added: “A massive amount of energy and water goes into growing food, and is also wasted if the food isn’t eaten by us.
“For example, growing just 400g of broccoli generates 520g carbon emissions and uses 34.8L of water, so using these recipes and Oddbox produce avoids that water being wasted and the carbon emissions being generated for nothing.
“We also include tips on how to minimise waste in the kitchen in every recipe in our blog.”
Emilie stressed the importance of “carefully considering what and how much food you’re buying and how you’re storing it in order to ensure you’re using everything you buy and maximising its freshness”.
She added: “Reducing food waste in the home is a small step everyone can take that collectively has a big impact on the planet.”
Following Oddbox’s recipes can also help you follow a healthy diet, as they contain plenty of vegetables and are all plant-based.
Emilie said: “It might not be the most revolutionary answer, but the classic quota of five fruits or vegetables per day helps to make sure your body is getting the right nourishment.
“We’re [Oddbox] also champions of connecting with food provenance and cooking meals from scratch using fresh ingredients, rather than filling your fridge with heavily processed foods.”
Oddbox recipes
Miso-Roasted Broccoli & Tofu Buddha Bowl with Sesame Dressing
Serves two – three people
Prep time: 10 mins
Cooking time: 20 mins
Total time: 30 mins
Ingredients:
400g broccoli (stalks and florets)
2 garlic cloves
½ tbp miso paste
1 tsp of chopped ginger
2 tbsp soy sauce
Pinch of chilli flakes
1 block of firm tofu, drained
2 tbsp Sesame oil
2 tbsp Light soy
2 tbsp Maple syrup
Sesame seeds
½ tsp miso paste
2 tbsp Rice vinegar
1 tbsp Tahini
1 tbsp Maple syrup
50ml water
300g of cooked brown rice (quinoa or barley also work!)
Fresh coriander
Method:
Preheat the oven to 180 degrees. Drain the tofu and dice it into small pieces. In a separate bowl, add the tofu, soy sauce, maple syrup and sesame seeds. Mix and spread on a tray and pop in the oven for 20 mins until golden.
Prepare your broccoli by cutting the florets and stalks into small bite-size pieces.
In a bowl, add the miso paste, soy sauce, garlic, ginger and a pinch of chilli flakes. Mix the marinade and add in your broccoli. Pour onto a tray and then pop in the oven for 15 mins.
In a bowl, whisk tahini, rice vinegar, maple syrup and miso. Add a little water to loosen.
Time to build. Add your cooked grains for your base, topped with the delicious roasted broccoli, sticky tofu and fresh coriander. Drizzle over the creamy sesame dressing generously.
