September 11, 2017
It’s hard to imagine a better way to use fresh, juicy tomatoes than to prepare a refreshing batch of gazpacho. Always served cold, gazpacho is a flavorful blend of raw summertime vegetables. This soup is very popular in Spain and Portugal but has become widely appreciated around the world.
September 8, 2017
I consider it very important to live an ethical life. So I try to apply ethical considerations to all parts of my life, including the food that I eat. And I love animals. All animals. Not just the furry friends that share my home. I believe in the worth and dignity of every being, including both humans and animals. I actively promote compassion toward animals because I believe that there is plenty of compassion to go around. It’s not a zero sum game. I believe that we can extend compassion toward marginalized people and simultaneously include animals in our circle of compassion. I would not be willing to personally kill an animal for food. So I am not going to ask someone else to do it on my behalf. That is why I have chosen ethical veganism.
August 29, 2017
As far as I am concerned, even a healthy vegan diet must make room for some chocolate. That’s not to say that I consume massive amounts of it. A little bit can go a long way. And, I figure, everyone needs a delectable dessert to whip up for birthday parties, family feasts and office potlucks. I’ve worked on this recipe until it comes out perfectly every time, and these black bean brownies are a hit wherever I take them. They are also gluten free – a nice bonus in case you are feeding someone who must restrict their gluten intake.
I don’t normally think of desserts as highly nutritious. But these brownies contains some very healthy ingredients. The black beans are high in protein and full of fiber. They also contain some omega-3 fatty acids, which help to promote heart health. And both the beans and the cocoa deliver a nice antioxidant kick.
August 29, 2017
I’m a big fan of the Wilton Easy-Flex Silicon Muffin Pan. Here’s the main reason. I was having trouble removing my vegan black bean brownies from a regular (greased) metal muffin pan. Then I discovered that the brownies would pop right out of these pans.
If you love to bake, or even if you don’t, you should definitely have this muffin pan in your kitchen cabinet.
August 29, 2017
I love farmers’ markets. Farmers’ markets can be counted on to provide a wide variety of just-picked fresh produce for our kitchens. And the vendors usually offer ready-to-eat foods, miscellaneous other goodies, and a connection to the farm that I can just feel. I believe that visiting the farmers’ market is an experience to be savored.
The only hitch with most farmers’ markets is that they aren’t open every day. So what do you do if you need veggies and the market isn’t open, or the one that’s open is too a long drive from your home?
August 29, 2017
I want to tell you about a nearly priceless culinary resource in my kitchen. Of course, even though it’s nearly priceless, I still happily paid for it. And I’m here to tell you that it’s worth every penny! Using this resource, I know I can achieve a wide variety of unique dishes that are bursting with flavor.
On a recent trip to the gift shop at Patrick O’Connell’s fabulous Inn at Little Washington in the lovely Virginia countryside, I happened upon The Vegetarian Flavor Bible by Karen Page and Andrew Dornenburg. I’d heard about the book, but I had not yet had the chance to open it and leaf through its pages. It seemed like a great investment for a newly-minted vegan chef. So I bought it on the spot.
August 29, 2017
We love to eat out, and I have to admit the experience can be tainted at the end if the server hands me a plastic take-out container.
Restaurants often serve massive portions. Rather than waste the tasty food, which feels wrong in so many ways, we ask the server for a take out-container. More often than not, we end up with a clamshell-type container made of Expanded Polystyrene Foam (EPS). I hate that stuff. It is made from fossil fuels and synthetic chemicals. It cannot be composted. It does not biodegrade; it simply breaks into smaller pieces. Wildlife may eat the discarded materials, which may cause injuries or death.
Fortunately, the Story of Stuff Project reports that some U.S. cities are banning polystyrene foam products. And according to a story by Greenpeace, partial or complete plastic bans are being enacted in various countries around the world. That’s great. But what’s the alternative?
On a recent outing at Great Sage vegan restaurant (yum), our server handed us a wonderful, little brown take-out box. The bottom of the box was marked with a wide range of environmental attributes that absolutely warm the cockles of my heart. The box I received was made by Kraft PAC, which offers a range of high-quality food packaging. The full line of Kraft PAC take-out containers includes sandwich wedges, bloomer packs, wrap packs, catering boxes, salad and lunch boxes and Ripple Wall cups. All are made with food-safe Kraft materials and are designed to provide strength and performance, while being ecofriendly. My little box lists several environmental attributes. It is made from 100% recycled paper (80% post-consumer waste) from Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certified paper mills. And the processing of the box is chlorine free. As you may know, the use of chlorine to bleach paper products is harmful to the environment and also human health. These boxes are good enough to be endorsed by the Green Restaurant Association (GRA).
Founded in 1990, the GRA is an international nonprofit organization that encourages restaurants to make their operations more sustainable. With its turnkey certification system, the GRA has helped thousands of restaurants to become more environmentally sustainable in Energy, Water, Waste, Food, Chemicals, Disposables, & Building. The GRA is based in Boston, MA, and it currently operates in 47 States and Canada. Check the GRA website to find a certified restaurant in your area.
The most powerful thing you can do is vote with your dollars. We all have various criteria that we use to select a restaurant. Some of those may include cost, quality of the food, atmosphere, and location. Next time you go out to eat, add sustainability to the list and think about the kind of take-out containers that they offer.
The other thing you can do is ask for a more sustainable container when the server hands you a plastic box. If possible, ask to see the manager, who’s got the authority to make a change for the better. Just speak up, and mention the Kraft PAC take-out containers, because nothing is likely to change unless the customers ask for it.
Of course, the other option is to take your own reusable container from home!
Hi! My name is Leigh, and I'm a vegan chef living in the DC area. I specialize in whole-food, plant-based cuisine. Join me as I explore nutritious, delicious, compassionate cooking!
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