Live chat: Gourmet vegan
Is “gourmet vegan” an oxymoron, or can those two descriptions co-exist on one plate? Zen Kitchen‘s Caroline Ishii and Ottawa Citizen Style editor Jennifer Campbell talked about how to prepare mouth-watering food without meat, fish or dairy Wednesday, June 6. BONUS: One participant who submitted the best question won a vegan recipe book courtesy of Ottawa Citizen Style.
Hi,
My mother is not vegan by choice, her stomach does not do well with meat, dairy, eggs, etc. The problem is- she is also allergic to wheat, corn, oats, spelt, kamut, chocolate, yeast, tomatoes, peppers, coffee, nitrates and sulfites. Do you have any meal, or dessert ideas that could help her?
Maria
I heard that you held a vegan comfort food event at Zen Kitchen one night. People loved it. Is it possible you’ll be adding comfort food to your regular menu?
Hi Caroline and Jennifer,
I have just discovered the wonders of shirataki noodles (thanks to my sister Leanne, who asked a question below). I find them to be much more filling than pasta noodles, and it makes me wonder what sort of innovative things I could do with them. All I’ve done so far is treated them the same as any other noodle, but are there other ideas that I haven’t considered? (Let me add a vote to my sister’s request for a Zen Kitchen cookbook!)
Would you mind sharing recipes from your National Capital Vegetarian Association pub night?
As a Librarian of a small rural library, I am constantly being asked for cookbooks for vegans. Now I know whose to order! Is there any tips you can provide me on how to begin weaning my spouse from a lifetime diet of meat and potatoes? I can’t just go cold turkey (no pun intended!) on him, however would like to start with baby steps. Thanks again!
Between looking good, taking care of your beautiful husband, and the restaurant, how do you find time to cook vegan meals at home for yourself.
Chef Caroline, I can’t thank you enough for putting a sophisticated to-die-for vegan restaurant in the Ottawa region. Everytime I go to Zen Kitchen I’m impressed with the quality of the food and the service!!!
Here is my question to you, I like to prepare salads for lunch and I’m searching for some good vegan dressing recipes that are innovative and tasteful, just like your dishes, do you have any suggestion?
So honest and so you,loved that you are always true to yourself, I remember well when my six kids were small, the things i missed most was listening to my music and reading a good book, my whole life centered around their books and their music and their needs. I often say now that i have all the time in the world for my pursuits that for about ten years i wasn’t aware of the outside world i’ve more than made up for it Enjoy your time with your precious one, they grow up far too quickly
I too once lived in house that “neighbors” drove by. We got tired of the friendly thing. Recently in the old hood I noticed the new owners have planted screening so thick were it not for a mailbox on the lane, you wouldn’t know a house was there.
I HAVE FREQUENTED THIS RESTURANT MANY TIMES- ALONG WITH MY FAMILY & WE ALL AGREE THAT THIS RESTURANT IS TOPS. THE FOOD IS SO TASTY & SERVICE GOOD. MY GRANDCHILDREN LOVE IT, MY FAMILY FROM VANCOUVER (WHERE THERE ARE MANY GOOD PHO RESTURANTS) HAVE TO ADMIT THIS IS THE BEST & INSIST ON AT LEAST ONE VISIT EACH TIME THEY ARE IN OTTAWA.