So a Chef eats Vegan for 30 days - what happens?

Wow, I told Linda in December that I was up to do a one-month challenge of eating Vegan, she said let’s go January 1^st. And that was it, the beginning of a new adventure that delivered several un-expected learnings. So we went full on – no meat, dairy or even eggs, I had to learn how to cook again what used to be a 20 minute dinner prep turned into having to think, plan and cook for about an hour. This might have been the best refresher for my culinary skills as it relates to developing not only flavor but textural differences in a dish. This was a refocusing on key elements in any dish that has continued to influence all my cooking at home and in my business. 

Here are some things I learned - 

Liquid dairy:

What I found is that using cashew cream in cream soups allows the flavors of say broccoli to really shine through while heavy cream has a tendency to mask the flavors. So using a cashew based cream in soup, sauces and even as a base for nacho cheese allows you to create more levels of flavors from spices and herbs. So big win for replacing liquid dairy, not so easy for replacing cheese. 

Cheese:

We did find several vegan cheeses we like when used in sandwiches, with crackers for snacking or as part of a baked dish but nothing works to deliver a pizza experience. So as long as the vegan cheese is not on pizza it is easy to substitute it for real cheese with out missing it. Also note some brands are better than others you just have to taste them to discover your favorite. 

Seasonality & comfort:

So going Vegan in the winter I think is much easier than other seasons, I believe since the cooler weather makes you want to eat, soups, stews and other hearty dishes. So how will this work as it gets warmer out, how many salads can you eat? The other quick learning was we really wanted a sandwich, how do you find a way to make a good vegan sandwich to replace, tuna salad? It is possible, we tried “Toona” a vegan alternative, it was okay but we ended up preferring a garbanzo bean version of “tuna salad”. You just drain and mash some garbanzos, add chopped pickle, onion, seasoning and some vegan mayonnaise (store bought or home-made). Chicken salad another favorite was harder to replace – we did find a Vegan prepared version at Whole Foods, but it ends up to be high in sodium. I want to find the “chicken” soy product they use in this and make it at home with out all the sodium. The product shreds just like chicken and has the same bite, Delights Soy Nuggets. And of course for a burger, we use Beyond Meat which when grilled is simply an awesome replacement for beef, hands down. 

Transitional Eating:

After a couple of months, we shifted to add eggs back in on a limited basis, except when baking. We still find that chia seed or flax seed egg replacer for up to 2 eggs to be a great alternative. Just add 1 tablespoon of seeds to 3 tablespoons of water, stir and let sit for about 10 minutes, use just like regular egg. Additionally we started to add fish and seafood back to the line up to give us more variety. 

Now that spring is in full swing here in Houston we are able to eat out of the garden which is always the best. So if you are curious, you can give up meat, it is not that hard, you can give up cheese too it just requires that you look at cooking from a different perspective. Give it a try, the other benefit, I think your taste buds really wake up to even more subtle flavors. More to come as I continue to learn, I do believe we will see the need for more plant-based foods and eating that are driven by flavor, taste and texture and not just being a “healthier item”.  Next up – we are trying intermittent fasting – fasting 16 hours a day only eat during the other eight (we are in week three). Stay tuned for more ways to be healthy, eat delicious and enjoy life.

Looking to add more plant based menu items to your restaurant menu? Contact us at
jimdoak@jwd-consultancy.com

www.jwd-consultancy.com

$10,000 Winning Recipe

Well it is time for the Masters and most people think of......Pimento Cheese? Yep it is a great tradition they have at the tournament of serving Pimento Cheese Sandwiches on white bread. Well here is a pimento cheese toast I created to win the first Texas Pete Cook-off a couple of years ago. The competition was with 3 other very talented industry chefs and peers for a grand prize of $10,000 to be donated to No Kid Hungry. All in all it was really fun....see the video at the end but first here is a recipe you can make to enjoy while watching golf this weekend.

Pimento Cheese Toast with Crispy Black-eyed Peas & Pickled Kale            

5 portions

Pimento Cheese Toast

1 cup               Sharp Cheddar, grated

½ cup               Mayonnaise

¼ cup               Red Pepper, roasted, peeled & diced

2 T                   Texas Pete Garlic Hot Sauce

1/2 tsp.           Kosher Salt

¼ tsp.              Black Pepper

1 T                   Butter, Soft

10 ea               2x2 inch, Brioche bread slice ½ inch thick

1.     Place Cheddar, Mayonnaise, red pepper, Texas Pete, salt and pepper in a bowl

2.     Mix to combine completely, set aside

3.     Butter one side of the brioche bread, and then toast in a skillet, butter side down

Crispy Black-Eyed Peas

1 can               Black-eyed Peas

2 tsp                Texas Pete  Chipotle Hot sauce

As need           Salt & Black Pepper

1.     Rinse Black-eyed peas in cool water, drain.

2.     Toss the Black-eyed Peas with the Pete’s Chipotle Sauce

3.     Spread the Black –eyed peas on a sheet pan and bake in a 350 degree oven for 15 minutes. 

4.     Cool Black-eyed Peas at room temperature. Once cool, set aside

5.     To Cook: Fry Black-eyed peas in a 350 degree fryer for 3 minutes or until golden brown.

6.     Shake off excess grease, place in a bowl and toss with salt & pepper until evenly coated.

Pickled Kale

1 cup               Baby Kale

½ cup               Cider Vinegar

1 tsp.               Salt

1 tsp.               Sugar

1 tsp.               Mustard Seeds

1.     In a medium sauce pan combine the vinegar, salt, sugar and mustard seeds, bring to a boil and cook for 2 minutes

2.     Remove from heat and allow to cool to 140 degrees

3.     In a bowl pour cooled pickling liquid over baby kale and stir to evenly distribute

4.     Place in refrigeration until needed

TO ASSEMBLE Cheese Toasts:

1.     Divide the pimento cheese mixture between the 10 pieces of brioche

2.     Place under broiler until cheese is melted and bubbly

3.     Remove and place on plate, top with a generous spoon of fried black-eyed peas

4.     Garnish with 2 to 3 well drained leaves of pickled kale

5.     Serve

Video of the cook-off link

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mt-5rm-aMQM

www.jwd-consultancy.com

Avocado Persimmon Salad

What a great taste combination, combining the sweetness of a ripe persimmon with the creaminess of avocado and the crunch of pistachios, just too good not to share the recipe.

Ingredients

1/2 each    Ripe California Avocado, sliced
1 each       Ripe Jiro Persimmon, peeled, sliced and seeded
1/4 cup      Red Onion, sliced thin
1 T            Avocado Oil with lemon
1 tsp          Citrus Vinegar (Calamansi if available)
1 T            Pistachios, chopped
To Taste    Kosher Salt & Fresh Ground Black Pepper


Arrange the thin slices of persimmon intermingled with the avocado slices, scatter the red onion slices over the plate.
Drizzle the oil over entire plate, then sprinkle the vinegar
Top the salad with the chopped pistachios, season with the salt and pepper
Serve immediately! For a great bright flavor in this colder weather

What the future holds....JWD Restaurant and Food Trend forecast 2017

JWD Restaurant and Food Trend forecast 2017

Here is what I see as continuing or emerging patterns in the food world. I will update this again in June 2017

Cauliflower Rice is the future "non-rice" of rice, as vegetable centric eating more than one time a week grows in middle America, not just meatless Mondays…..

Vegetable Noodles are spiraling into the mainstream in 2017 after some successful limited introduction by regional chain players these will be the new pasta of the veg centric meal

Zatar becomes the new “it” spice as we move further east in the Mediterranean culinary pallet

Nutrient dense coconut oil becomes a favorite of boomers – millennials still prefer animal fats – yum butter, lard and beef fat will be growth areas of fats in 2017 and beyond

Indian jalfrezi becomes the new marinara for 2017 showing up as a dipping sauce, pizza and pasta sauce as well as its more traditional uses

Clean labels and products will be come table stakes as we move into 2017 and beyond, especially with the rise of Anti Biotic Free meats and proteins but also dyes, flavors and GMO

Ancient grains and heirloom varieties of wheat will lead gluten free in a different direction as gluten awareness continues amongst boomers focused on gut health

Foods of the South will continue to expand and we will see more heritage cooking move into Fast Casual and Casual channels

Consolidation will occur across the Fast Casual sector in certain cuisines – so broadening of their offerings – you see it already with Noodles & Co trying shift perception away from a purely Asian concept by changing branding elements and signage

Carrots are the new “it” vegetable of 2017 – they will be everywhere and in many  forms – grilled, BBQ, smoked, pickled, raw – the use of heirloom varieties will start to move mainstream into casual segment

Probiotic meals and food items will continue to quietly weave their way to mainstream America’s diet as we see the connection continue to grow between gut health and overall health

Non Dairy, Nut milks will continue double digit growth and this will lead to emergence of non dairy ice cream outlets serving better for you treats in 2017 mirroring the last 24 months of retail growth of these items

Brunch is so almost over now that QSR is jumping in – but the hybrid day part will still be strong since everyone loves “breakfasty” stuff all day………

Jim

www.jwd-consutlancy.com  all you Culinary consulting needs