I've taken a break this summer from posting since I've been a busy bee - mainly, eating my homework. I've recently graduated from Rouxbe's online Professional Plant-Based Certification Program, and we've been busy creating food and eating food, creating, and eating....it's been enlightening to say the least, and an amazing experience.
This has everything to do with going back to the basics. Going back to the things you think you know, to learn them in a totally new and inspired way. Chopping. Knife skills. How big is a small dice anyway, and how do you sharpen your knives, hold your guide hand, know when a pan is ready for a sautee. Chemistry, science, art, and total joy.
We've had so much fun with the plant-based recipes, and we've totally indulged this summer: hand made manicotti with tofu ricotta filling and fresh marinara, chocolate genache torte, soups, stews, bean salads, desserts, smoothies, and so much more!
My favorite part of the course was the intended "mise en place" for each recipe, or rather, the idea of "everything in its right place" before you proceed with the recipe. So many meals have been ruined due to overcooking, leaving the stove for an ingredient, not timing things correctly, and mise en place allows you to have everything in the right place, chopped, measured, ready to go, so that you can ENJOY the process of cooking and be in the present moment. Symbolic, right?
Here we go.
Enjoy the gallery of plant-based nutritious cooking, where nothing is missing....except the junk. This is how we loved ourselves up this summer, with beans, grains, veggies, fruits, nuts, seeds, super foods, and all the lovely indulgences that these create, with whole foods.
Vegan Penne Carbonara
Thai Noodle Soup
Spring Asparagus Rissotto
Coconut Chickpea Stew
Mise En Place for Cauliflower with Chimmichurri
Chocolate Genache Pie with Cherry & Black Peppercorn Sorbet
Braised Seitan Au Jus With Garlic Greens
Purslane & Flower Salad
Home-made Udon & Stirfry
Tofu Manicotti with Marinara & Home-Made Pasta
Mock Tuna Pate in Collard Rolls
Polenta & Tempeh Broccoli with Heirloom Tomatoes
Practicing Knife Skills
Cauliflower Chimmichurri
Here are some photos of our last Rouxbe Assignment, which was to host an event with little canapés. So much fun enjoying good food and family and friends.
Plates include:
Mini Chocolate Genache pies with Cherry & Black Pepper Sorbet
Mini Samosa Burgers with Onion & Mango Chutney
Fruit Skewers
Healing Turmeric & Tomato Soup, Sweet Potato Crackers & Borage FloweRS
Sweet Pea & JImaca Samosas with Lime Creme
