10 Delicious Summer Recipes to Make With Sustainably Made Dairy
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Dairy makes everything taste better — and we’re not just talking dipping your chocolate chip cookie in a cold glass of milk or adding a scoop of vanilla ice cream on top of your apple pie.
Dairy is a cook’s best-kept secret. From using yogurt in baking to moisten cakes and breads, to adding milk to Bolognese sauce for more depth of flavor, to marinating steak in yogurt for extra tenderness, cooking with dairy makes all kinds of dishes even more delicious.
In honor of National Dairy Month this June, let's celebrate dairy the best way we know how: Cooking and baking with delicious, sustainably made dairy.
What is sustainably made dairy?
Sustainability is a way of life for dairy farmers, and the milk they produce is made with the environment in mind. As caretakers of their herd and the land, dairy farmers care about protecting the planet today — and for future generations.
The farmer-owners of Dairy Farmers of America (DFA), a national, farmer-owned dairy cooperative, use sustainable dairy farming practices on their farms every day. That’s why we affectionately call them the Nerd Herd, along with a team of engineers, scientists, veterinarians and more who are helping reduce dairy’s carbon footprint.
Sustainable dairy farming practices include:
Water recycling and reuse — Water gets used multiple times on a dairy farm. The same water used to chill milk to keep it fresh also then flushes the barn and irrigates crops
Manure management – The ladies produce a lot of manure, and dairy farmers ensure it gets put to good use fertilizing crops or as (dried) bedding for the cows. With the help of anaerobic digesters, dairy farmers are even turning manure into renewable energy
Renewable energy – Solar panels and wind turbines installed on the farm turn nature’s elements into energy for farms, homes and local businesses
Improving soil health – Dairy farmers are using timeless farming practices coupled with new technology to replenish soil nutrients, reduce runoff and store more carbon in the soil
Optimizing cows’ diets – Dairy farmers are exploring using feed additives and are continuing to elevate overall herd health to reduce cows’ emissions
So, when you enjoy a bowl of ice cream, cheese on your pizza or a splash of half and half in your coffee, you can feel good that what you’re eating is not only delicious, but is helping the planet, too. Learn more about sustainably made dairy at DFANerdHerd.com.
Try these 10 summer recipes using sustainably made dairy:
1. Mascarpone and Lemon-Stuffed French Toast
Featuring sustainably made dairy: Mascarpone cheese, half and half, and heavy whipping cream
This decadent recipe serves up all the deliciousness of a stuffed French toast made with the convenience of an air fryer. Mascarpone cheese and store-bought lemon curd stuffed between two slices of brioche bread are air fried to perfection and topped with heavy whipped cream sweetened with maple syrup and lemon zest.
2. Mixed Berries and Spice Smoothie
Featuring sustainably made dairy: Yogurt and whole milk
Filled with flavor and sustainable dairy, this mixed berry smoothie is the perfect way to excite your day. Fresh mixed berries shine when they’re blended with ultra-creamy frozen yogurt and whole milk, and cinnamon rounds out the sweetness for one delicious smoothie — all in 5 minutes or less!
3. Grilled Chipotle Shrimp
Featuring sustainably made dairy: La Vaquita® Crema Mexicana (or sour cream)
A sweet and spicy marinade paired with a cool and creamy dip make this grilled chipotle shrimp dish a must for summer entertaining. Everything can be prepared a day in advance, so when your company comes over, all you have to do is fire up the barbecue ... and your appetite.
4. Elote-Inspired Sweet Corn
Featuring sustainably made dairy: La Vaquita® Crema Mexicana (or sour cream) and La Vaquita Queso Cotija cheese
One of the best parts about summer is the fresh sweet corn available at every roadside stand, farmers market and grocery store. Mix up the usual method of boiling and buttering by grilling the corn and topping it with a classic Mexican street corn accoutrement.
5. Ranch Pasta Salad
Featuring sustainably made dairy: Buttermilk and cheddar cheese
This crowd-pleasing creamy bacon ranch pasta salad is perfect for an easy meal or snack on a hot summer day, and you can feel good that it’s made with real cheese and buttermilk produced sustainably on family dairy farms.
6. Blackened Salmon Salad With Cotija Tortilla Strips
Featuring sustainably made dairy: La Vaquita® Queso Cotija cheese and whole milk
Too often salad can leave you unsatisfied. But this blackened salmon salad has it all — crunch from the cotija tortilla strips and butter lettuce; savory flavor from the salmon and avocado; and just a hint of sweetness thanks to cubes of mango. Topped with a creamy cilantro-lime dressing, it’s a well-rounded dish you’ll love eating all summer long.
7. Crispy Fish Tacos With Chipotle-Yogurt Drizzle
Featuring sustainably made dairy: Greek yogurt and queso fresco
Using an air fryer, these crispy fish tacos come together in just 30 minutes. While the air-fried cod may be the star of the show, the chipotle-yogurt drizzle is the equally important costar that completes the dish with a big hit of flavor. Greek yogurt provides the creaminess, chipotle peppers in adobo sauce bring the heat and lime juice rounds it all out.
8. Espresso-Mocha Icebox Cake
Featuring sustainably made dairy: Half and half, butter and heavy cream
No need to turn on the oven; this icebox cake is the ultimate no-bake dessert. Icebox cakes are vintage desserts that get their cake-like texture after cookies or graham crackers — in this case chocolate graham crackers — and fresh, whipped cream meld together in the refrigerator.
9. Pineapple-Coconut Ice Cream Sandwich Cookies
Featuring sustainably made dairy: Ice cream and butter
Reminiscent of tropical ice cream floats, these pineapple-coconut ice cream sandwich cookies are pure bliss in a few bites. Use a high-quality ice cream for an even more decadent treat.
10. Blueberry and Brown Sugar No-Churn Ice Cream
Featuring sustainably made dairy: Sweetened condensed milk and heavy whipping cream
Cool off with a bowl of no churn ice cream made from sustainable dairy this summer. While making homemade ice cream can sound intimidating, don’t fear! This recipe comes together in an easy half hour of active time.
Sustainability stories on the farm
The farmer-owners of DFA are leading the way in sustainable dairy farming. From feeding their cows food waste like carrots and sugar beets that are too ugly or broken to sell to supermarkets to installing solar panels to power their farms and communities, dairy farmers are real people working hard to help the planet however they can.
How to be more sustainable in your kitchen
Are you feeling inspired to reduce your own carbon footprint just like the dairy farmers in your community? Here are some easy ways to cook more sustainably.
Cover leftovers with reusable food wraps in the refrigerator rather than plastic wrap
Use reusable bags when shopping for groceries instead of paper or plastic
Recycle milk jugs or upcycle them into crafts like bird houses and watering cans
Compost your food scraps or use a composting service
Cook from scratch to reduce packaging waste
Purchase sustainably made dairy products from DFA brands, which are produced at manufacturing facilities undertaking projects to reduce food waste, increase energy efficiency and improve efficiencies
Get cooking for June Dairy Month
Be sure to celebrate June Dairy Month this June by making your favorite cheesy, ice creamy or yogurty recipe and posting a photo on social media with #JuneDairyMonth and #EnjoyDairy. Be sure to tag @HAndHMag and @DFAMilk for a chance to be featured on our social channels.