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Four Myths About Vegetarian Cooking, As Seen On Top Chef (Plus Recipes!)

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SuchandraZinnikas
10/30/09

In reply to Four Myths About Vegetarian Cooking, As Seen On Top Chef (Plus Recipes!)
I've was vegetarian for years without eating fake meat, as a means of getting away from a substitution mentality – it's really easy for the newly veg to change nothing about their eating habits and just swap in fake meat. I moved in with a vegan roommate a couple years ago, who eats a fair amount of veg coldcuts, chikin, and fakin' bacon for variety and decided to indulge, for a change. I'm pretty sure the exposure to all that processed wheat gluten triggered an underlying sensitivity and I'm now fully gluten intolerant. I have to say, by-and-large faux meats are products of the industrial system that many vegetarians are protesting: they're made from mass-farmed, monoculture commodity crops (wheat, soy) and processed, preserved and packaged within an inch of their lives. As a garnish or a sometimes, they're fine, but I think they're something that the veg community should be trying to get away from. They just help to keep whole vegetable-based dishes relegated as sides. (Note all the people in the comments who are both veg and gluten-free - vegan restaurants are often totally unfriendly for us!)
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Snowbunny
10/30/09

In reply to Four Myths About Vegetarian Cooking, As Seen On Top Chef (Plus Recipes!)
The only fake meat I can stomach since I cut meat out eight months ago is fake corn dogs (and, daymn, can I stomach those). This idea that meat is some how holy, delicious and dietary nails in the construction of our bodies baffles me, I've found life so much more enjoyable without it (and, yes, I realize that is just me). Beans are so creamy and delicious, they're like what I always wanted meat to be: firm, healthy and hearty, but tender and creamy and filling once you eat them.

Also, some of you veggies might like this, on October 5th I went to Walmart and bought 3 giant bags of mini candy bars for trick or treating (which is this weekend) and tried to hide them and save them...well, I ate them all in two weeks, so when I went back on Tuesday to get more candy I bought all stuff like Skittles and Starburst with gelatin in it specifically so I wouldn't eat it and actually have candy for the children. #vegetariancooking
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GoldenRatioφ (aka -girl11)
10/30/09

@Snowbunny: My fiance's favorite thing about me becoming a vegetarian? I no longer try to steal his favorite candy, Starbursts from him.

Veggie corn dogs are by far my favorite junk food. I ALWAYS have them stocked in my freezer. The contestants should have tried to incorporate them into their recipes- the dish would have been a real winner. #vegetariancooking
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Ms Meghan
10/29/09

In reply to Four Myths About Vegetarian Cooking, As Seen On Top Chef (Plus Recipes!)
All my cookbooks are vegan. I'm an omnivore. Isa Chandra Moskowitz knows her shit when it comes to deliciousness. #vegetariancooking
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ostartero
10/29/09

In reply to Four Myths About Vegetarian Cooking, As Seen On Top Chef (Plus Recipes!)
I wish I could be a pescetarian, but I couldn't enough vegetables to probably stay healthly. (taste like plants) I already have an extremely low weight for my age and height. #vegetariancooking
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Snowbunny
10/30/09

@ostartero: I hate vegetables. I eat a lot of bread and cheese mixtures.

Note: I am in no means a role model #vegetariancooking
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slauza
10/29/09

In reply to Four Myths About Vegetarian Cooking, As Seen On Top Chef (Plus Recipes!)
I've been waiting for a vegetarian challenge in all the years I've been watching Top Chef. Unfortunately I didn't pick up any ideas or tricks from this episode. I appreciated but was surprised that most tried to make something vegan; I wonder if they don't know the difference, which would be inexcusable for a "top chef."

Also, this is a piggish, whiny season, y'all! The way the male chefs talk to/about Robyn kills me. She's in her 40s, so Eli refers to her as "grandma"! The fact that she has cancer makes this even more offensive. He kicked a box last night because she wasn't eliminated. Leave it to the judges, asshats. #vegetariancooking
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NotChoinski
10/29/09

In reply to Four Myths About Vegetarian Cooking, As Seen On Top Chef (Plus Recipes!)
Another Myth: Vegitarian is less caloric. When I was dieting I switched to several vegitarian substitutes thinking "If it isn't meat, it isn't fatty" - WRONG. #vegetariancooking
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Sunshineyness
10/29/09

In reply to Four Myths About Vegetarian Cooking, As Seen On Top Chef (Plus Recipes!)
I didn't catch if anyone else brought it up but one thing I'd like to espouse as a myth is that non-meat eating= health food.

It's not all about alfalfa sprouts and tofu (which if seasoned and prepared well can be pretty damn tasty as well.)

As Indian or Thai food shows making meatless food can still have strong tastes. #vegetariancooking
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Beets.Go.On is the Fat Yogini
10/29/09

In reply to Four Myths About Vegetarian Cooking, As Seen On Top Chef (Plus Recipes!)
I don't understand the looks of abject fear on the chef's faces. Vegetarian food is easier to cook than meat and you don't have to worry about the fears of raw chicken or cross contamination of uncooked things with raw meat. I guess living out in the Bay Area spoils me. I know that no matter where I go, I will be able to find delicious, filling vegetarian food that will also most likely be gluten-free. Why are they treating vegetarianism like some sort of exotic, impossible challenge? #vegetariancooking
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Sunshineyness
10/29/09

@Beets.Go.On is the Fat Yogini: Oh I know... that was so odd to me as well. Have none of these chef's ever had veggie patrons before? Entertained friends that don't eat meat? I grew up in an Italian home (which gets unfairly labeled as meat heavy when it's really not necessarily) and my mother didn't make meat dishes every night naturally.

I watched an ep from a different season where the challenge was to make dishes that were healthy and had a caloric/fat limit and they had the same fear. I don't think these chefs are terribly creative sometimes. #vegetariancooking
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Lou
10/29/09

@Beets.Go.On is the Fat Yogini: The only thing I can think of is that everyone expected a challenged centered around huge cuts of meat, and then everything changed right before time started. I think they had their menus all planned out and weren't prepared. Otherwise, I'm lost. The menu of Mike's restaurant in DC is like 1/3 vegetarian. I eat there all the time, and the food is delicious. So I can only assume it was some sort of panic reaction... #vegetariancooking
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kansasgirl
10/29/09

@Beets.Go.On is the Fat Yogini: The fear is that they were in a steakhouse, where most of the food available to cook was (a) steak or (b) a side for steak. I doubt they would have seemed to panicked if they'd been in, say, an Asian or Italian restaurant, where there's plenty of noodles / rice / pasta, etc. to make more of a veggie entree. Instead they were stuck with foods that are more traditionally side dishes. #vegetariancooking
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Beets.Go.On is the Fat Yogini
10/29/09

@kansasgirl: oh, I don't watch the show, so I didn't know it was set up like that. That seems really limiting and unrealistic. #vegetariancooking
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Sunshineyness
10/29/09

@Beets.Go.On is the Fat Yogini: Knowing that I get the premise a bit more. (Also remember this is a heavily produced reality show where the narrative isn't necesarilly concoted by the contestants)

Although knowing that it does sound interesting and worth putting out there that even steak houses, if creative enough, can put a nice veggie dish together.

I know during the height of my veggie days I was dragged to steak houses for reasons beyond my control (pre-wedding parties, family functions, etc) and been very annoyed that even their salads had meat in them. #vegetariancooking
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kansasgirl
10/29/09

@Beets.Go.On is the Fat Yogini: It was very limiting, but that's why it was such a challenge. I thought it was a great episode. I also love the Kevin won. He's really known for doing great hearty meat dishes, but he proved he can do great veggie food too. #vegetariancooking
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slowpoke.r
10/29/09

@Beets.Go.On is the Fat Yogini: To their credit, I think they all freaked out because they were told several hours earlier that they were cooking in a steakhouse, which means they all probably spent the afternoon planning their menu around steaks, and they when they arrive they find out that they have to cook a completely different kind of meal.
Really this challenge didn't seem to be about cooking veg nearly so much as it was about cooking on your feet; if Padma or whoever had walked in and said, hey, guess what? we decided last minute that everything has to be one color, or that everything has to be Indian, or any number of things and they would have looked that way. #vegetariancooking
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mariamariamaria
10/29/09

@Beets.Go.On is the Fat Yogini: Spoiled Bay Area person here, too! I haven't seen the show/this episode, but don't all chefs have at least one vegetarian main course up their sleeve? And if their challenge was "vegetarian" as opposed to "vegan" - well, what a bunch of babies! Vegetarian is easy-peasy, you still get to use butter, eggs and cheese. Dude, I could make anything taste spectacular sauteed in butter and garlic! Vegan is a much bigger challenge, but I see it as a fun challenge. What a bunch of wusses! #vegetariancooking
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Snowbunny
10/30/09

@Beets.Go.On is the Fat Yogini: It also, in my experience, cooks way quicker.

Would you rather braise a lamb shank orrrr wilt some spinach? How about barbeque a hunk of pig for 8 hours orrrr boil up some potatoes? #vegetariancooking
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Alys Brangwin has a huge talent
10/29/09

In reply to Four Myths About Vegetarian Cooking, As Seen On Top Chef (Plus Recipes!)
When I don't have a lot of time to cook, I make myself peanut butter and banana sandwiches. #vegetariancooking
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mwynn13
10/29/09

In reply to Four Myths About Vegetarian Cooking, As Seen On Top Chef (Plus Recipes!)
I understand the part about plenty of vegetarians eating dairy, but eggs? In what universe are eggs considered vegetable matter? #vegetariancooking
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Sunshineyness
10/29/09

@mwynn13: I'm not a big fan of the word labeling system. I prefer it when people just say what they don't eat as opposed to trying to agree what defines "vegetarian."

Although vegan is usually a catch all for not eating anything animal related. #vegetariancooking
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Eriu
10/29/09

@Sunshineyness: This person used the label vegetarian, but didn't seem to understand what it means. I'm all for not using labels, too, but if we're going to (which the commenter did) we should use them correctly. #vegetariancooking
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Sunshineyness
10/29/09

*replied to wrong thread sorry*
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Edited by Sunshineyness at 10/29/09 3:47 PM Sunshineyness was starred Sunshineyness was unstarred

tiredfairy
10/29/09

@mwynn13: They're not, but they're also unfertilized so, for some vegetarians, they count the same way dairy counts. As something that doesn't harm a live animal, but may be made from something they produce. #vegetariancooking
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gherkinfiend
10/29/09

In reply to Four Myths About Vegetarian Cooking, As Seen On Top Chef (Plus Recipes!)
I would like to cut down my meat consumption for ethical reasons, but as someone with terrible digestive issues and has to follow a low fibre diet, I find it damned difficult... #vegetariancooking
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TheUptightMidwesterner
10/29/09

@gherkinfiend: Exactly. I am like "Hummus..can't eat that..Peppers, those are out...Couscous maybe...Some soy, but no quinona"
*sigh* #vegetariancooking
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daftfad
10/29/09

@TheUptightMidwesterner: Can I ask you what the hummus and quinoa do to you? I get a weird pain in my upper abdomen when I eat them, but it's not heartburn. More like someone punched me right in the stomach but I can't figure out why... #vegetariancooking
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TheUptightMidwesterner
10/29/09

@daftfad: I get severe gas pain (double over and pass out type) and am generally a menace to society for the next 48 hours . #vegetariancooking
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dreamharder
10/29/09

@daftfad: often: severe gas and abdominal spasms that wrack your body and make you feel like you're going to die. Literally so painful that I'm stuck in teh fetal position and can't move. Often miserable until I have a bowel movement.

I have a hard time with corn, potatoes with skins, and other hard fibers. IBS sucks royally. The other day I ate oatmeal and nearly passed out from the pain. You don't always know what will affect you, because sometimes a food is ok and then your body changes its mind. #vegetariancooking
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daftfad
10/29/09

@TheUptightMidwesterner: @dreamharder: Ugh, I'm sorry your reactions are so severe. IBS is the pits. I'm on a probiotic that's helped a lot, but hummus and quinoa are still problem foods for me, which is a shame because they are quite tasty.

Angry bellies unite! #vegetariancooking
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Jenloveshercurves
10/29/09

@dreamharder: I have this exact same issue with green bell peppers. Seriously, I eat even a little bit of green bell pepper and it's horrible. Only the green though, red, yellow, orange, I am fine. My dad and sister are like that too. It's so strange. #vegetariancooking
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Sunshineyness
10/29/09

In reply to Four Myths About Vegetarian Cooking, As Seen On Top Chef (Plus Recipes!)
I'm confused... did no one think of doing a vegetarian lasagna or a vegetarian ziti? Those are my staple compromise meals when entertaining mixed food preference company...

Or even a nice vegetarian chili? I've never had anyone omni or veggie turn down some nice veggie chili...
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Edited by Sunshineyness at 10/29/09 2:04 PM Sunshineyness was starred Sunshineyness was unstarred

AvgElitist
10/29/09

@Sunshineyness: I didn't understand this either. One contestant had a polenta, but I think he was the only one with a grain in there. #vegetariancooking
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Alys Brangwin has a huge talent
10/29/09

@AvgElitist: I thought their choices sucked too. Someone could have thrown in an egg or two and made it very delicious since Natasha isn't vegan. #vegetariancooking
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DorothyBarker
10/29/09

@Alys Brangwin can't stop the beat: Felt exactly the same way. And where were the beans? Someone threw some lentils in, but aren't beans a staple protein for vegetarians? I eat edamame constantly and find it hard to believe there was NONE at craftsteak. They had fresh garbanzos for crying out loud. #vegetariancooking
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Alys Brangwin has a huge talent
10/29/09

@DorothyBarker: Indeed. I had garbanzo salad for three days this week. Garbanzos can be cooked all kinds of ways. Why not make a soup, or your own hummus? They had two hours, and vegetarian food tends to cook quickly! #vegetariancooking
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marshmallory
10/29/09

In reply to Four Myths About Vegetarian Cooking, As Seen On Top Chef (Plus Recipes!)
I'd like to see them do a gluten-free meal. With so many people (including me - BOO!) being diagnosed with Celiac disease and wheat allergies, I would be curious as to what they would come up with. Not to mention, I feel like I've been eating the same four things for the three months since I was diagnosed, so some new ideas would be nice. #vegetariancooking
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maybeimamazed02
10/29/09

@marshmallory: Try to find the episode of Top Chef Masters where they cooked for Zooey Deschanal. She is not only a vegetarian, but prefers not to eat gluten--and the chefs came up with some tasty-looking dishes. #vegetariancooking
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bandofconsciousness
10/29/09

@marshmallory: I'm a gluten-free vegan and I am healthier than I was as a meat-eater. I make all my own food and have saved a lot of money in the process. It takes a lot of planning and some caring, but once you get used to it, it's awesome. Samples of recipes I make: gluten-free, vegan mac and cheese, red dahl with mashed potatoes, nutritional yeast gravy, baked potatoes and battered, baked tofu, gf and vegan blueberry pancakes, chana masala... I make big portions of food 3-4 times a week then eat the leftovers over a few days while supplementing with canned foods. There are a lot of great websites out there with good gf veg recipes as well. #vegetariancooking
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marshmallory
10/29/09

@bandofconsciousness: Do you use the gluten-free pasta and baking mixes they sell at stores? I haven't tried any of them yet because I feel like I'm going to be disappointed they don't taste the same...what's your experience been? #vegetariancooking
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bigred
10/29/09

@bandofconsciousness: I'm a veg, and I have a girlfriend who is gluten free- and we manage to cook an eat together all the time! Fajitas are one of our faves. Start with salsa, guac and chips. No beer for her, so we drink margaritas! Saute multi-color peppers, onions, mushrooms, garlic, shallots with salt, cumin and chili. In another pot, cook black beans with chopped peppers, garlic, shallots. Cook rice, substituting salsa for most of the water. Heat corn tortillas. Serve with cheese, sliced avo, sour cream- YUM!!!
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judgingamy
10/29/09

@marshmallory: I live on rice cakes. Tons and tons of rice cakes. #vegetariancooking
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mcnez
10/29/09

@marshmallory: Over the past few years the taste of these products has improved immensely. The consumers demanded better, and they're getting it now (according to my mother and sister, who are both Celiac). #vegetariancooking
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Beets.Go.On is the Fat Yogini
10/29/09

@marshmallory: CORN PASTA!! It actually tastes better than wheat pasta and it holds its shape. I was thankful when I discovered it over the summer and I can have pasta in my life again. #vegetariancooking
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marshmallory
10/29/09

@Beets.Go.On is the Fat Yogini: I will definitely try that. Thanks! #vegetariancooking
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Hana Maru
10/29/09

@marshmallory: I REALLY like brown rice pasta. Try Tinkyada brand. The taste is not exactly like wheat, but it's mild, creamy, starchy, and has chew, like wheat pasta. I don't have to avoid wheat, I just buy it because I like it so much. It's great in home-made mac and cheese. #vegetariancooking
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RomanaTwo
10/29/09

In reply to Four Myths About Vegetarian Cooking, As Seen On Top Chef (Plus Recipes!)
The side dish as an entree is often a problem for trained omnivore chefs. My father, who is a professional, has absolutely no idea what on earth I eat, or what to do with tofu, beyond grilling it unseasoned and drizzling it with balsamic.

Meanwhile, I make my own seitan, charm people with my tofu meatballs, feed hoardes, without even thinking about it. #vegetariancooking
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FashionShowAtLunch
10/29/09

@RomanaTwo: Tofu meatballs! Please to share your recipe - I've been looking for a good one. #vegetariancooking
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RomanaTwo
10/29/09

@FashionShowAtLunch:

1. Look up the tofu meatball recipe on the ppk, subtract the nutritional yeast and fresh parsley.

2. Add in as many of the following spices as possible: cumin, garlic powder (it's better than real garlic in this recipe, amazingly), rosemary, fennel seed, dry basil, oregano, parsley flakes, a dash of hot sauce or red pepper flakes, and so on

3. Use actual parmesean when you roll the balls into the flour mixture.

4. Cook as directed. Don't be afraid to use a lot of oil in the frying pan. You will drain it off later.

If you want to serve them with a sauce, add them in at the absolute last minute. Even if they're really crispy on the outside, they're pretty light and fluffy on the inside.

These go over incredibly well at parties, even with avowed meat-eaters. #vegetariancooking
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FashionShowAtLunch
10/29/09

@RomanaTwo: You're awesome.

Friended! #vegetariancooking
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RomanaTwo
10/29/09

@FashionShowAtLunch: I take tofu meatballs very seriously. #vegetariancooking
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karenbme
10/29/09

In reply to Four Myths About Vegetarian Cooking, As Seen On Top Chef (Plus Recipes!)
Misconceptions about vegetarianism here in the US are so ingrained. I went veggie in my early teens, and my step mom (an RN no less) insisted that I had to eat those awful packaged fake meat patties daily or I wouldn't be able to get enough protein or iron. As it stands now I haven't eaten fake meat in 5 years and am in fine shape.

Also, I would add tofu to the list of delicious veggie proteins. It gets a bad rap, but when cooked well it's delicious.

Also Thai food, pretty much all of it. Bonus, if you live near an asian market or can find fish sauce at your grocery store homemade Pad Thai is much healthier than the greasy take out version, and delicious, though mildly labor intensive. #vegetariancooking
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Andrew Wolf
10/29/09

@karenbme: fish sauce isn't vegetarian #vegetariancooking
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