Tag: plant based
Jacked Up On Jackfruit
With the rise of plant-based alternatives comes a wealth of inspiration- And misinformation. Jackfruit has been embraced as the meat of the jungle, fulfilling that role with varying degrees of success. For every incredible pulled “pork” sandwich, there’s another platter of stringy, unidentifiable BBQ going untouched at the neighborhood cookout. If you don’t know jack about jackfruit, you’re not alone.
How To Buy Jackfruit
For the sake of savory recipes, you want to by young green (unripe) jackfruit, canned and packed in brine, not in syrup and not fresh. Fresh jackfruit is indeed sweet, as the name would imply, often enjoyed in smoothies, ice cream, pudding, and other desserts. The texture is also smooth and almost bouncy, somewhat like lychees. While delicious, this isn’t the best way to replicate a meaty experience, to say nothing of the difficulty prepping a whole jackfruit, which can weigh up to 100 pounds.
Immature jackfruit is now sometimes packaged in pouches too, sometimes sold refrigerated or alongside shelf stable meat substitutes. Aside from having less liquid, the differences are immaterial.
How To Cook With Jackfruit
Most cooks go wrong right in the beginning. Some brands have jackfruit that’s already broken down to a texture that’s “usable” right out of the package, but that doesn’t mean you should. More often than not, it’s still very tough, tinged with the residual taste of the metal can.
- For the best experience with jackfruit, take it to the stove first. After thoroughly draining the brine, add fresh water to cover and bring it to a boil. If it’s already fairly tender, you can then immediately drain and get to work. For tougher chunks of jackfruit (as seen above), give it up to 20 minutes, until it falls apart readily when prodded.
- Flavor your water to infuse the jackfruit with a meatier taste right off the bat. Add a cube of vegan bouillon flavored like chicken, beef, or pork, depending on your desired output. For general umami, mushroom stock and/or shiitake powder is always a solid choice.
- Use a potato masher for the best shredded texture. No one wants a big chunk of miscellaneous gristle in their meat; consider the same rule for plant-based products. If it’s not soft enough to mash, it’s not cooked enough to use.
Jackfruit Is Only As Flavorful As Its Sauce
Like tofu, young jackfruit is downright bland until you season it. That’s why you need to go heavy on your spices and sauces, but don’t rely on packaged solutions alone. The biggest problem I find with most pulled pork facsimiles is the cooks use prepared BBQ sauce right out of the bottle and call it a day. Add smoke, add fresh garlic, add a bit of fat, please! Put it back over the fire to give it more nuanced texture, crisping the edges for a chewier bite. You can saute it, air fry it, bake it, roast it, grill it; anything! Don’t just pretend like it’s a complete gourmet meal without putting in some work.
Jackfruit Nutrition Notes
Here’s the rub: jackfruit is not a great source of protein. Don’t call it an “alternative protein” because it’s simply not an accurate assessment. You’d get more protein eating raw broccoli. Jackfruit does have plenty of nutritional benefits to offer, though!
- Good source of potassium and Vitamin C. Feed your skin and bones with these key “beauty” vitamins.
- Cholesterol-free. An automatic advantage of swapping animal products for plants is instantly cutting cholesterol out of the picture. For anyone worried about heart health, this is one easy step that can make a big difference.
- Good source of fiber. Stay regular! Don’t forget that a healthy digestive system (AKA your microbiome) also contributes to a healthy immune system too.
Jackfruit does have an impressive amount of protein compared to many other fruits, like apples and mangoes, but it shouldn’t be considered the place to get your gains. Add other protein sources to your meal, such as tofu, beans, nuts, and seeds for a healthy balance.
What Should You Make With Jackfruit Next?
There’s no shortage of inspiration for jackfruit recipes spanning all cultures and cuisines. Today, I’d like to present a very simple introduction to the meatless beast, treating it like chicken salad, but taking away the sometimes divisive mayonnaise component.
Tossing the savory shreds instead with a light dressing of olive oil and fresh herbs, it’s a bright and simple lunchtime staple. The crisp crunch of celery adds textural contrast that holds up well over time, even when prepped ahead and stashed in a lunchbox to eat on the go. Best of all, without the overbearing creaminess of conventional chicken salad, you’re free to top it with gooey dairy-free cheese and make an excellent chicken salad melt. Crisp toasted bread holds the whole assembly together in an unfussy, unpretentious package that everyone can get behind.
Jackfruit isn’t so scary when you break down the basics. Here’s an easy way to master the art of jackfruit cookery without fail.
Crab Walk To A Better Crab Cake
When the person you’re dating casually mentions that they like crab cakes, you find a way to make crab cakes.
Look, I don’t make the rules here, that’s just how it goes. Said person could have expressed an attraction to fugu or turducken, for all you know, so there’s no reason why such a simple desire can’t be indulged.
Making Vegan Crab Cakes
Crab has a fairly mild flavor, subtly sweet and oceanic, often compared to lobster, without the oily fishy flavor that smaller sea creatures are known for. Replicating this experience in a convincing way requires taking this unique taste and tender, shredded texture into account.
- Most plant based crab cake recipes feature jackfruit, the hottest tropical fruit to hit American dining room tables. Though I’ve previously used an unconventional combination of glass noodles and tofu to replicate that shredded, chewy texture, I wanted to tap a lesser known import for this version: banana blossoms. They’re very similar in the eating experience of brined young jackfruit packed in cans, but have a softer bite and slightly more natural taste. Banana blossoms can be found fresh in the produce section of more robust Asian markets, canned alongside the jackfruit, or frozen, nearby the other veggies and edamame in the freezer aisle. I used frozen which comes finely shredded and simply needs to be thawed. If you’re starting with larger pieces, you’ll want to thinly julienne them with a sharp knife, or pulse them a few times in your food processor.
- Nothing says “ship shape” like a pinch of dried wakame. It rehydrates about 3 to 4 times in volume, so I like to crush it roughly to better distribute the flakes.
- Panko breadcrumbs act as a binder and textural enhancement; contrary to antiquated approaches, it’s NOT a filler and is key for overall enjoyment. You can find gluten-free versions if needed, but don’t swap in standard Italian breadcrumbs, which will make the crab cakes too dense and heavy.
Serving Suggestions
Crab cakes don’t need to get dressed up to go out; they always look fabulous, even without makeup on.
- Pass around a platter of crab cakes as a standalone snack or appetizer, perhaps with tartar sauce or sriracha mayo for dipping, and call it a night.
- Craft a complete meal around them, making them the star of the show. A voluminous arugula or spinach salad is a great way to get your greens without distracting from the headliners. On cold nights, saute, stir fry, or even cream those greens to serve the whole thing hot. For a different take on scampi or alfredo, crown your pile of garlicky noodles with crisp crab cakes, rather than more shrimpy fare.
- Leftovers make stunningly great sandwich fodder. They’re a bit fragile so they tend to fall apart when reheated. Don’t sweat it! Embrace the unraveling and add an extra dollop of vegan mayo to make an incredible crab salad. Slap it between two slices of bread with tomatoes, onions, lettuce, and anything else you like. Eat as is or brush with melted vegan butter and toast the whole thing.
Crab Cakes are an easy request to fulfill. Say you’re making them as a favor, but it’s okay to want them for yourself, too.
The Ultimate List Of Vegan Birthday Freebies
No matter how old I get, I’ll never stop celebrating by collecting the wealth of birthday freebies available near and far. From full meals to sweet treats, you could easily live off of these generous handouts for a least a week.
My original birthday freebie roundups have been some of my most popular posts, so I know I’m not alone in that revelry! Given how many things have changed in our post-COVID world, it seemed high time to update these lists with the most current offerings. First, a quick refresher course on maximizing your birthday haul.
Tips For Collecting Birthday Freebies
To play the game, you’ve gotta know the rules. Unfortunately, the rules are different for each establishment and subject to change at any time. Keep in mind these quick tips for the best results.
- Sign up for loyalty programs at least one month before your birthday. Some won’t grant you that big b-day bonus if you subscribe right before the event.
- Download the apps. Even if you only have it on your phone long enough to redeem, it’s necessary in some cases (to scan a barcode, special token, or for proof of ID) and simply a whole lot easier in most others.
- Read the fine print. What was free last year might now require a purchase this year or only grant you a certain percentage off your bill.
- Go during off-peak hours. If possible, make it easier on the staff, who may or may not be trained to know how to handle special requests properly.
- Be kind to staff. It should go without saying, but this is a gift; accept it graciously. Be patient, wait in line like everyone else, and tip whenever possible.
What Does Not Qualify As A Birthday Freebie
For the sake of clarity, let’s go over what doesn’t make the list. You may wonder where some of your favorite deals are, but if they’re not included here, it’s a good chance they’re:
- Not vegan (contains meat, dairy, eggs, or honey)
- BOGO deals
- Free only with a purchase
- Percentage off your total bill
- Part of a paid membership program
- Not available at all locations
- Unofficial or off the books (maybe that server was just flirting with you)
Nationwide Birthday Freebies
Large franchises with outposts all across the US often have the most robust rewards programs to encourage brand loyalty. Use that to your advantage and start racking in the free food, drinks, cosmetics, and more!
Starbucks
Sign up for Starbucks Rewards and get a free drink or prepared food item on exactly the date of your birthday. Almost any of the drinks can be veganized thanks to the option to substitute oat milk, soymilk, almond milk, or coconut milk. Just avoid the pumpkin spice, white mocha, caramel brûlée syrups, caramel sauce, java chips, and of course, whipped cream. Many stores now offer a highly serviceable Chickpea Bites & Avocado Protein Box if you’re hungry for something more substantial.
Yogurtland
Register for Real Rewards and let the froyo flow! You have classic fruity soft serve sorbet options along with richer, creamier, oat milk based frozen desserts. That means you can spoon into luscious brown sugar vanilla, blueberry pancake, cinnamon oatmeal cookie, and chocolate souffle froyo without a drop of dairy. Get your first free 3-ounce swirl as soon as you sign up, and another on your birthday.
Moe’s Southwest Grill
Welcome to Moe’s! If you’re familiar with this ubiquitous rally cry, you already know that there’s plenty of tofu, beans, rice, and plant-based goodness to go around at this quick service establishment. What you might not know is that by signing up for the Moe’s Rockin’ Rewards, you can walk out with a completely free burrito on your birthday. Load it up with all the good stuff, including guacamole, and come hungry because these are some behemoth tortilla torpedoes.
Veggie Grill
Download the Veggie Grill Rewards app to your phone to cash in on $5 off your purchase, both when you sign up and when your birthday rolls around! That’ll net you a free soup, mac and cheese, mini wrap, black bean and quinoa mini bowl, side of fries, cauli-mashed potatoes and gravy, fresh little salad, multiple veggie sides, or a dessert. With so many tempting choices, you can easily stretch that fun money into a satisfying snack or light meal.
Pinkberry
Go froyo! Join the Pinkberry loyalty program through the mobile phone app for free and you’ll instantly earn a generous swirl of the frozen creamy confection with four toppings from the array of fresh fruits, nuts, crushed Oreos, mochi, and popping boba. Non-dairy froyo flavors will vary by store, but you can always count on finding at least one creamy treat to cool down with. Coconut and salted caramel coconut provide a more ice cream-like soft serve indulgence, while simply fruit peach passion and tropical mango offer a lighter, more refreshing experience. Take a peek at all the ingredient information here.
Snooze, An AM Eatery
Tempting as it may be to sleep in, resist hitting the snooze button to catch a free birthday pancake from Snooze. Join MySnooze Bennyfits to cash in on your fluffy flapjacks, and use the app to join the virtual waiting list while you’re at it. These early morning haunts are packed at daybreak, for good reason. The Vegan Bliss Pancakes with real maple syrup are worth setting an alarm for.
Sprinkles Cupcakes
What’s a birthday without cake? Sprinkles understands that we’re not all up to the task of baking amidst all the festivities, which is why they’re kindly gifting all the lucky birthday girls and guys who join Sprinkles Perks with one cupcake on their big day. I hope you like red velvet because that’s the only vegan flavor, but hey, who could really complain about free cake?
Ike’s
I like Ike, and you will too once he treats you to a generous full meal for your special day. That includes any sandwich, along with a bag of chips and a drink. Almost anything on the extensive menu can be veganized, and some of the best combinations aren’t even listed in store so don’t be afraid to ask. One of my favorites is the Tom Brady; breaded meatless chicken, mushrooms, avocado, and non-dairy cheese. Sign up for the e-club to get this offer along with other discounts and bonuses throughout the year.
Sephora
Rounding out the list with some non-edible pampering, this one is for all you glamorous makeup enthusiasts out there. Become a Beauty Insider to earn rewards for your cosmetic purchases all year round and cash in on free luxury minis on your birthday. Those deluxe samples change every year and there’s always two or three options to chose from, but bear in mind that not all brands are cruelty-free, so do your research before showing up at the counter to cash in.
Ulta Beauty
When you setup your Ultamate Rewards account and provide your email address, Ulta Beauty will send you a voucher for a free beauty product to celebrate. This offering changes every month and may or may not be vegan, so always double-check the ingredients before heading out to claim yours. The gift is only available over the counter, so take your barcode straight to the checkout line to redeem.
Baskin-Robbins
Believe it or not, this old school ice cream parlor is churning out some vegan treats these days. Flavors vary depending on the store and time of year, but your best bets are Non-Dairy Mint Chocochunk or Lime Daiquiri Ice. Sign up for the Birthday Club and you’ll get to chill out with a free small scoop (4 oz) of any flavor your heart desires.
The Habit Burger Grill
The Habit Burger Grill has been offering free birthday Charburgers for years now, but only recently started offering veggie burgers as a regular menu staple. Now that’s something to celebrate all by itself! Join the CharClub and when your special day rolls around, order the veggie burger on a French roll, wheat or seeded bun, or wrapped in lettuce. The sourdough is grilled in butter, but there are so many other choices, you’ll have yourself a hearty meatless meal no matter what.
Curry Up Now
Spice things up with a free meal on the actual day of your birthday only when you sign up for the rewards program, in the form of either a bowl or a burrito. Make the most of your day and head straight for the Hella Vegan, stuffed with smashed samosas and chutney. There’s also the Hungry Planet featuring meatless chicken for us plant-based eaters that want more protein, but given the opportunity to have potatoes wrapped in pastry wrapped in rice wrapped in a tortilla, how could one resist all those comforting carbs?
TCBY
The acronym may stand for The Country’s Best Yogurt, but a more modern definition should also include almond milk frozen desserts. In collaboration with Silk, TCBY now offers this chocolatey, refreshing treat for those who can’t get down with regular froyo. It also pairs beautifully with their fruit-based flavors, such as strawberry kiwi or mango. Sign up for the loyalty program to cash in on 4 ounces of the sweet stuff for free on your birthday, and don’t forget to swing by on National Froyo Day, February 6th, for a second round, pro bono.
Austin, Texas Birthday Freebies
Keep it weird and support standalone Austin stores and homegrown mini chains. The following shops will treat you generously on your special day, so don’t forget to return the favor and shop local on your unbirthday, too.
Amy’s Ice Creams
Amy’s Ice Creams is a treasured Austin establishment that got its start in 1984 and is still scooping strong. The menu at large is still firmly dairy- and egg-based, but you can always find at least one vegan specialty that will make you melt. Depending on the day, you might find chocolate, vanilla, coffee, or snickerdoodle ice cream, or a range of fruity sorbets. Snag a free scoop with one free “crush-in,” such as oreos, nuts, fresh fruits, or sprinkles on your birthday when you sign up for the Sundae News email list.
Juiceland
If you’re starting to feel the squeeze after so much celebratory indulgence, head over to Juiceland for a fresh start. Sign up on Juiceland Rewards and you’ll get a coupon for $5 off, valid for one week before and one week after your big day. That’s plenty to cover a wide range of smoothies, juices, shots, coffee, and even some snacks or light meals. It’s hard to resist the Jackfruit Carnitas Supreme, a meaty Tex-Mex bowl-in-one, but on a hot day, nothing hits the spot quite like the protein-packed Strawberry Mylkshake. Don’t forget, you can add in black pepper, cinnamon, cayenne, sea salt, or habanero to your blend at no charge, any day of the year!
Snarf’s Sandwiches
Anyone would be delighted to snarf down a 7-inch Vegetarian Sandwich at Snarf’s, free of charge, so make sure you sign up for the Insider’s eclub to log your birthday! You’ll get a voucher to use to place your order online or in the app, whenever the craving strikes during your birth month. Don’t forget to leave out the cheese and mayo to make this one vegan. Jazz it up with artichoke hearts or extra mushrooms for that meaty, umami bite.
RA Sushi
RA Sushi really pulls out all the stops when you join The Hook Up. On your birthday AND half birthday, you’ll get a full $20 gift certificate to make it rain maki rolls. Don’t miss the lavishly adorned Vegetarian Roll, vibrant and verdant with cucumber, avocado, arugula, asparagus, and romaine hearts, all wrapped in green soy paper. Go to town with garlic edamame, shishito peppers, or spicy cucumber salad to complete the meal. If you dine in, you’ll even get your choice of flavored mochi for dessert, on the house! That’s a truly sweet AND savory gift!
Mr. Natural
It’s only natural to treat yourself for your birthday; of course, Mr. Natural would have you covered! Once you make your first purchase online or in store and sign up for emails, you’ll be a be poised to receive a gift of $5 credit, available through your entire birthday month, so you have time to carefully plan out your present. You may just need it too, since there are a TON of options. It may not be much in this economy, but $5 can get you a muffin (like the amazing banana chocolate chip muffins seen above), concha, empanada, scone, Bavarian cream cone, brownie, a wide variety of cookies, doughnut, chips and queso, guacamole, or salsa, TWO tamales… It’s a tough choice, but no matter what you go with, you’ll never be disappointed.
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Bao’d Up
Bow down to Bao’d Up. These fluffy steamed buns are made fresh daily in each of four central locations. Plump, pillow-y soft, and stuffed with your choice of sweet or savory fillings, you have two vegan options to chose from: Creamy veggie for a healthy snack or red bean for a light dessert. Download the app, create an account (use my referral code 8770, please!), and snag 500 points on your birthday! That shakes out to 1 free bao, side of fries, or Thai tea (made with almond milk) depending on what you’re craving. While you’re there, you might as well treat yourself to a side of pickled veggies or slaw, because the mayo is all eggless, too.
Chi’Lantro
Sign up for Chi’lantro Rewards to earn points for every purchase plus a $5 off coupon on your birthday. In terms of food value, that means you can get a free Small Ssäm with tofu, which you can lavish with tons of toppings. It’s basically an overstuffed taco with Korean flavors; what’s not to love? Happily, the kimchi (both cold and caramelized) is vegan, but skip the esquites, queso, fried egg, shredded cheese, magic sauce, and ranch to avoid dairy and eggs.
Soup Peddler
Put the pedal to the metal and cash in on $5 off for your birthday. As far as I understand, you just need to have an account through their online ordering system, though I’m sure it doesn’t hurt if you make a couple of reasonable purchases throughout the year. That discount translates to a free small entry level smoothie or 8 ounces of soup. I can’t tell you what to do, but it seems criminal to pass up the opportunity to spoon into a hot bowl of mulligatawny or tomato basil soup, free of charge. Plus, you can add bread or crackers at no extra cost!
Frozen Rolls Creamery
If your birthday happens to fall anytime between February and November, you’ll need this cool antidote to Austin heat. Sign up for the Frozen Friends program to not only get a Thai-style frozen rolled ice cream with two toppings on your birthday, but also right away, as soon as you register! They have dairy free alternatives to all of the flavors and a number of vegan toppings to lavish on your custom creation. Personally, I can never resist the call of green tea treats and almost always go for “matcha heaven”, but you can also start with a base of cookies and cream, butter pecan, or mud pie, just to name a few.
More Freebies Coming Soon
Do you know about more vegan birthday freebies to add to the list? Let me know and I’ll keep this post updated!
Get To Know Natto
Slimy usually isn’t a selling point when you’re talking about food, but if it’s natto we’re talking about, that’s a large part of the appeal. In fact, “slimy” is one of the more appealing descriptors, followed by gluey, stringy, and mucilaginous, and that’s before we even get to the flavor.
What Is Natto?
Either you love it or you hate it; there’s no middle ground for this polarizing food. These fermented soybeans have been a staple of Japanese cuisine for hundreds of years, serving as a method of preservation and added nutrition as early as the Yayoi period (300 BCE – 300 CE.) It became a staple of shojin-ryori, providing meatless protein to Buddhist monks, and even fed samurai while traveling towards battle.
Natto requires only two ingredients: whole, cooked soybeans and Bacillus subtilis cultures. The process shares many similarities with miso and soy sauce, but is much faster, taking 24 hours or less to mature.
Natto Nutrition
Despite being an acquired taste for many, natto endures as a powerful superfood. Some companies have gone so far as to powder and capsulize it for those who can’t stomach the full experience. That said, nothing can compare to the genuine article, packing in more iron, manganese, copper, and fiber than an equal amount of any meat. Let’s not forget about all that cholesterol-free plant protein, and more probiotics than the average yogurt cup. Studies have shown it can help improve bone density, lower blood pressure, and aid in digestion, just for starters.
Natto’s real claim to nutritional fame is Nattokinase, an enzyme unique to the fermented beans, that many studies have found to be beneficial in combating heart disease. It’s also very high in Vitamin K2, which contributes to skin and bone health, metabolism, and brain function, and can be difficult to find from plant-based sources otherwise.
What Does Natto Taste Like?
Natto is not for everyone. Polls have shown that even self-described fans of the stuff are split on their actual enjoyment of it, admitting that it’s a regular part of their diet for the health benefits, not the flavor.
The soybeans themselves are subtly nutty, earthy, and tender. Once fermented, they take on a funky character somewhat like Brie cheese that can vary in intensity. It’s salty, richly umami, and can sometimes have a slightly bitter finish. Some prepared natto is seasoned with dashi, giving it a fishy aroma.
Neba-neba is the Japanese term that describes its unmistakable texture; stretchy, slimy, and sticky. This quality is exaggerated when stirred, which incorporates air and thickens the natto.
Buying Or Making Natto
Typically sold in 3-packs, ready-to-eat natto is found in most Asian specialty stores either in the freezer aisle nearby the vegetables and edamame, or in the refrigerated produce section not far from the miso pastes. It’s important to read labels carefully, because many contain non-vegan ingredients, namely fish in many forms. This could appear on labels as:
- Bonito
- Dashi
- Tuna
- Tuna extract
- Dried fish
- Fish sauce
You can bypass all of those possible pitfalls by making your own natto at home. If you’ve ever made kimchi, sauerkraut, or yogurt, you can make natto! The key is buying the right cultures and then just letting it do its thing.
Natto Serving Suggestions
Managing the texture and finding complementary flavor pairings is the key to enjoying natto. There’s nothing else quite like it, so your best bet is to just try it for yourself!
- Breakfast is when natto truly shines. The simplest, most traditional approach is to add karashi (hot mustard), soy sauce, and thinly sliced scallions before serving over hot cooked rice. This is, of course, fairly intense and not the best way to win over natto newbies.
- To that end, I’d recommend starting out with natto maki sushi rolls. Being able to cut it into distinct bites cuts down on the stringy, slimy texture considerably, so you can focus on whether or not the flavor is to your liking.
- Similarly, it’s a great filling for onigiri, which can then be grilled to give you much needed crunchy contrast on the outside.
- For a more western take, you can use natto to top buttered toast or avocado toast. Lightly mash it first if you’d like more of a subtle spread.
Have you tried natto before? Don’t let any naysayers scare you off; it really can be a delicious addition to a healthy diet!
White Hot
Color is a critical indicator for how we approach food.
Color Psychology in Food
- Green typically signals vitamins and nutrients, a healthy choice, and possibly grassy flavors.
- Red often tells us what we’re about to eat is sweet, or ripe and rich in umami.
- White, perceived as the absence of color, suggests a lack of taste altogether.
Bland, boring, devoid of notable nutritional value, white fails to elicit the same sort of instant hunger that a bold, brilliantly colored dish can.
Such a shame for what is actually a reflection of every color in the spectrum. White is the ultimate shapeshifter, concealing a world of different spices. That’s why curry, found in every brilliant hue under the sun, is a particularly dangerous dish to cloak in bright white.
Consider this recipe your newest painful pleasure. Introducing, curry of another color.
What Is White Curry?
Creamy coconut milk is a common base for curry, smoothing out the harsh edges of hot spices with a rich and cooling finish. Most are tinted with yellow turmeric, and/or red or green chilies, but there’s more than one way to add a fiery bite to your food. My unconventional white curry uses pale Hungarian wax peppers to bring the heat, along with tiny but mighty bird’s eye chilies, small enough to disappear into the stew without any visual impact. From there, only white vegetables and plant protein join the party. White button mushrooms add umami richness and Asian pears contribute a subtle sweetness that’s essential to the nuanced, balanced flavor profile, but there’s plenty of room for adaptation.
Ideas For Additions
Make this recipe your own and try all sorts of different vegetables instead! Think there aren’t enough white produce picks to keep things exciting? Think again. Consider the following:
- Jicama
- Potatoes
- Daikon
- Parsnips
- Cabbage
- Fennel
- Kohlrabi
- Lotus root
- White corn
- Navy or cannelini beans
- White asparagus
- Hearts of palm
Don’t count the “lack” of color on this dish as a red flag. The amount of heat concealed in that creamy sauce could set off alarm bells for the unprepared. Don’t forget to serve with plenty of white rice to soak it all in!