5 ingredients every chef should use in vegetarian recipes - Fast Casual

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5 ingredients every chef should use in vegetarian recipes - Fast Casual


5 ingredients every chef should use in vegetarian recipes - Fast Casual

Posted: 05 May 2021 03:00 AM PDT

Certified Master Chef Daryl Shular, owner of Farmed Kitchen & Bar and the Shular Institute, reveals five things all vegetarian meals should have.

5 ingredients every chef should use in vegetarian recipesCertified Master Chef Daryl Shular, owner of Farmed Kitchen & Bar and the Shular Institute, is the first black American chef to pass an eight-day test to become one of 66 certified master chefs.

In this age of plant-based cooking, more and more restaurants and chefs are searching for that one ingredient that will help them connect with the fast-growing clean eating community. Throughout my career, creativity and innovation have been the keys to offering my vegan, vegetarian, and flexitarian patrons an experience I can be proud of. The hardest part about being a high achieving chef is redefining what we as chefs do to constantly stay ahead of current trends and plant-based demands.

In 2004, I was National Champion in Nutritional Cooking, having to prepare a four-course meal in two hours for a team of universally recognized Certified Master Chefs, and it was a pivotal moment in my young career. What I learned as I prepared for this competition was that when fresh ingredients are brought together in a melody of taste, texture, and proper technique, the result is a great experience. Today as a CMC, I continue to uphold those core principles I learned many years ago as I partner with Meatless Farm to create new-age modern dishes for those who desire a healthier lifestyle through food.

Based on these experiences, I found that there are five key ingredients all food lovers and pro-chefs should use when creating plant-based meals. I have used these techniques throughout my career from young culinarian to Olympic Champion to Certified Master Chef. These key principles will take your next plant-based dish to that next level.

1. Go Umami
Umami is one of the five essential taste profiles found in foods. This unique savory compound is characterized as to have the flavor of broth and meats. Because of the uniqueness of this flavor profile, chefs should include ingredients like mushrooms, tomatoes, sea moss and corn in their creations. This brings a rich and robust depth of flavor plant-based diners crave when dinning at home or in top rated establishments. You can also avoid the MSG (Monosodium Glutamate) typically used to enhance umami in some Asian cuisines by experimenting with fermentation instead, which also plays well with layering those rich flavors of umami.

2. Use oils
While oils are a vital element with the vegan and plant-based community, knowing which oil to use is important to supporting a healthy lifestyle. One of the most used oils in American households and kitchens is olive oil. The calorie-rich and nutrient-light oil is a fan favorite for its taste, versatility, and high smoke point. However, chefs and home cooks should consider other nutrient-rich oils that are more beneficial for a healthier lifestyle. Oils such as avocado, coconut, corn, and grapeseed are wonderful choices for clean eating and plant-based diets.

3. Fresh citrus
Citrus fruits have been a part of my diet for many years. Having grown up in Florida, the use of citrus fruits like oranges, tangerines, kumquats, and limes was as common as drinking water. One of the first techniques that was taught to me by my mother was to utilize the three key elements of any citrus fruit. First is the zest, which contains the oils that provide the fresh aroma and enhances the flavor when used as a finisher for any dish, salad, sauce, or relish. Second is the fruit, which we segment into individual sections to separate the sweet, plump texture body of the fruit for various uses in the kitchen. Finally, there's the juice which provides important rich, sweet flavor that carries most of the essential vitamins and nutrients. They key to applying citrus to a dish, whether it's hot or cold, is to use it towards the end and to always use the zest.

4. Spice it up
Spices are a great way to elevate any plant-based dish. Whether it's a spin on an international classic or a family recipe, using spices will kick up the flavor of any dish. I recommend using whole spices that have been toasted in the oven at moderate heat for a few minutes to enhance the flavor. If ground spices are used, chose ones that are vibrant in color and with a rich aroma. While spices last for a long time, they do lose flavor as time goes on, so freshness is key. Spices such as allspice, cinnamon, cardamon, and cayenne pepper are an excellent way to make any plant-base dish pop with flavor, taste, and soul!

5. Essential herbs
For me, herbs are the best way to invigorate any dish whether it's plant-based or not. Nothing takes food to that ultimate level like fresh herbs. I highly recommend using herbs toward the end of the cooking process just before serving your dish, as heat will impact the final taste of herbs and weaken the flavor. If you are able, start your own in-house urban cultivator or garden. This way fresh herbs will always be readily available for the final serving. I love grinding herbs into a paste, such as a chimichurri or a pesto mixed with mustard greens and toasted pecans.

The goal is to be creative in all things plant based, but make sure to use ingredients at their peak to maximize the overall flavor profile. By using these techniques, plant-based cooking can be just as exciting and challenging as any other style of cooking. So, push yourself and your creativity by incorporating these five natural flavor enhancers and take your next Meatless meal to the ultimate level.

Vegan Mother's Day Brunch Recipes She Won't Forget - PETA

Posted: 05 May 2021 09:58 AM PDT

Published by Rebecca Maness.

On Mother's Day, it's important to celebrate all mothers, including moms of different species. By hosting a vegan Mother's Day brunch, you can show gratitude to your mother while ensuring that other animals are able to be doting mothers as well. In the dairy and egg industries, mother cows and hens never get the chance to care for their young. Farmers forcibly impregnate them, steal their babies to keep them producing milk and eggs until they can no longer do so, and then kill them. These products of a mother's suffering have no place on your plate—so we've chosen some scrumptious brunch dishes that are truly kind to all moms.

Choose some of these vegan Mother's Day brunch recipes for an unforgettable day:

Savory

These savory dishes are packed with protein, which helps give moms all the energy that they need to be the superheroes they are!

Vegan Eggs Benedict with Homemade Hollandaise

The Buddhist Chef's Tofu Scramble

Vegan Omelette Recipe (No Tofu)

Vegan Breakfast Skillet

Vegan Breakfast Sandwich

Epic Breakfast Burrito

vegan food, burrito, vegan burrito

Easy Vegan Quiche

Avocado Toast

Sweet

If your mom prefers sweet stuff, why not make one of these dishes the star of the show? They could also serve as a delicious dessert after one of the savory mains.

Waffle Brunch Board

Vanilla French Toast with Strawberry Sauce

Layered Blueberry 'Ricotta' Pancakes

Cinnamon Peach Skillet Rolls with Peach Glaze

Blueberry-Lavender Nice Cream

banana ice cream

Double Chocolate Chip Muffins

Berry Overnight Oats Crumble Cup

Beverages

A vegan Mother's Day brunch wouldn't be complete without a delicious drink to round it out. These refreshing spritzers and cocktails are great for warm spring days, and the warming oat milk latte is like a hug in a mug.

The Best Mimosa

The Ultimate Bloody Mary Bar

Oatmilk Matcha Latte + Matcha Tahini Smoothie

Kombucha Mimosa Mocktail

Immune Boosters Juice with Beetroot & Ginger

Perfect Summertime Lemonade

White Wine Sangria


There are plenty of other wonderful ways to show your mom how much she's loved, like giving her a compassionate gift that helps animals, too. Continue to show your appreciation for all mothers beyond Mother's Day by going vegan:

Order a Free Vegan Starter Kit



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