Vegetarian Star

Mario Batali "Molto Gusto"

Celebrity chefs want to improve their cooking skills in 2011 like many microwave home cooking gurus out there.

In the January 2011 issue of Oprah’s magazine, “O,” several well-known cooks share what they’d like to accomplish. Raising their own chickens for more humane eggs, cooking more vegetarian meals, composting and cooking with quinoa are just a few goals of well-known foodies.

Mario Batali Will Cook More Vegetarian Meals:
“This year we want to master more vegetarian dishes, like simple bruschetta, that are fun to cook as a team.”

Martha Rose Shulman Will Replace White Rice With Quinoa:
“Quinoa is one healthy grain, full of both fiber and protein. I plan on using it in place of white rice in salads, soups, and stir-fries, like my quinoa salad with snap peas, tofu, and ginger vinaigrette.”

(more…)

Possibly Related Posts:

• Chrissy Teigen Failed Vegan Experiment
• Mia Evans Is A “Masterchef Junior” Vegetarian Star
• Holly Madison Enjoys Vegan Smoothie From M Cafe In Beverly Hills
• Controversy Over Pro-Vegeterian Curriculum In Schools
• Ellie Goulding Creates Protein Bar “Everlasting Joy” With GoMacro

Gordon Ramsay

Gordon Ramsay almost found himself burning in Hell’s Kitchen–literally.

The chef was visiting Costa Rica as part of a segment on UK Channel 4’s “Big Fish Fight” series to uncover the dark side of illicit shark fin trading when he was doused with gasoline by people involved with the industry.

Ramsay said of his potentially near-death experience:

“It is a multibillion dollar industry, completely unregulated. We traced some of the biggest culprits to Costa Rica. The day before we got there, a Taiwanese crew landed a haul of hammerhead sharks – police searched the boat and found bails of cocaine.”

“These gangs operate from places that are like forts, with barbed-wire perimeters and gun towers.”

(more…)

Possibly Related Posts:

• Jon Stewart and Wife Tracey Stewart Adopt Horse
• Chrissy Teigen Failed Vegan Experiment
• Mia Evans Is A “Masterchef Junior” Vegetarian Star
• Ringling Brothers, Barnum & Bailey Elephants Retire To Sanctuary
• Holly Madison Enjoys Vegan Smoothie From M Cafe In Beverly Hills

Duff Goldman, star of Food Network’s “Ace of Cakes,” has made the announcement that he’s switching to cage-free eggs for his company, Charm City Cakes.

Goldman joins fellow celebrity chef Guy Fieri and dozens of national retailers and franchises like Quizno’s and Denny’s to source eggs from farms that don’t confine hens in cages so small, they aren’t even able to spread their wings. Cage-free hens have 2-3 times more space than caged hens.

“Charm City Cakes is pleased to have switched to only using cage-free eggs, which is a great way to improve animal welfare and meet our customers’ expectations for being socially responsible,” said Duff.

(more…)

Possibly Related Posts:

• Jon Stewart and Wife Tracey Stewart Adopt Horse
• Chrissy Teigen Failed Vegan Experiment
• Mia Evans Is A “Masterchef Junior” Vegetarian Star
• Ringling Brothers, Barnum & Bailey Elephants Retire To Sanctuary
• Holly Madison Enjoys Vegan Smoothie From M Cafe In Beverly Hills

Jamie Oliver has made himself an accidental vegetarian a few days a week because he can’t pry himself away from the salad bar.

“I’m probably vegetarian a couple of days a week, not on purpose but really just because I love eating vegetables and salad. I admire vegetarians, but I’m too much of a meat lover to ever become full-time vegetarian.”

Staunch vegans sometimes get upset by those who are willing to only give up meat part-time, but numbers do not lie. Two part time vegetarians in one household equals one full time one. And if 3-4 people ate veg twice a week like Jamie, that’s the equivalent of one person eating vegetarian every day of the week! Jamie’s love of salads works for him, but there are numerous ways to contribute to part-time vegetarianism or encourage your meat eating friends and relatives to do so. Here are a few ways you may not have considered to reduce your meat intake, improve your health, lighten your environmental footprint and reduce animal suffering.

(more…)

Possibly Related Posts:

• Chrissy Teigen Failed Vegan Experiment
• Mia Evans Is A “Masterchef Junior” Vegetarian Star
• Holly Madison Enjoys Vegan Smoothie From M Cafe In Beverly Hills
• Controversy Over Pro-Vegeterian Curriculum In Schools
• Ellie Goulding Creates Protein Bar “Everlasting Joy” With GoMacro

The Tom’s of Maine Wicked Fresh! Live Chat series went a little different than expected. While we were hoping “Top Chef All Stars” Carla Hall would do some cooking, she actually spent the hour answering questions from Facebook on food.

Which is still great, because Carla answered a question from Vegetarian Star about her favorite vegetarian or vegan dish and gave our site some love in the process!

Carla said right now she is really into root vegetables, so she loves to take rutabagas, turnips, carrots and parsnips and roast them in garlic and olive oil, throwing in some onions and simmering it all in vegetable broth. Then, toss in some tofu cubes. She also loves butternut squash soup and gave some great advice for a non-dairy substitute for cream.

(more…)

Possibly Related Posts:

• Chrissy Teigen Failed Vegan Experiment
• Mia Evans Is A “Masterchef Junior” Vegetarian Star
• Holly Madison Enjoys Vegan Smoothie From M Cafe In Beverly Hills
• Controversy Over Pro-Vegeterian Curriculum In Schools
• Ellie Goulding Creates Protein Bar “Everlasting Joy” With GoMacro

Heather Mills has already shared some tips for enjoying the holiday season without meat and dairy in Veggie Vision’s Guide for enjoying a vegetarian Christmas. Now, she’s advising any vegetarian or vegan to take matters into their own hands when visiting relatives who eat meat. Bring your own and don’t bother arguing about values this time. Stuff your face with good food instead!

“The best thing you can do is bring an amazing dish to the party – such as a vegan dessert or yummy things that people will try,” Mills said. “It’s best not to get into a heavy conversation around the dinner table about your choice. Just say “you live your life, and I live mine, but if you want to have a serious discussion about it, let’s have it another day”. The best way to convert people is by bringing great-tasting food and by looking fit and healthy.”

When a site like Vegetarians In Paradise has recommendations for every major holiday of the year, you don’t even have to bother searching for recipes.

(more…)

Possibly Related Posts:

• Chrissy Teigen Failed Vegan Experiment
• Mia Evans Is A “Masterchef Junior” Vegetarian Star
• Holly Madison Enjoys Vegan Smoothie From M Cafe In Beverly Hills
• Controversy Over Pro-Vegeterian Curriculum In Schools
• Ellie Goulding Creates Protein Bar “Everlasting Joy” With GoMacro

Elmo visited the White House Kitchen,  in perfect timing for the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act being signed into law by President Obama, which is expected to bring changes to school menus that involve more fruits and vegetables and less processed food.

Elmo was there to experience the veggie burrito with beans, rice and peppers that White House chef Sam Kass whipped up prior to his arrival. When Elmo expresses concern about going to school because of the food, Kass reassures him there’s good food at school, adding, “Because of this new law that is passed, we’re going to make sure that all food is healthy,nutritious and delicious.”

While Kass’ statement is mostly true, as we noted recently, it may be harder to get a true vegetarian burrito at school than we hoped. Crossing our fingers all veg children will be able to do the “melon happy dance” that Elmo does when they get in the lunch line next year.

Possibly Related Posts:

• Chrissy Teigen Failed Vegan Experiment
• Mia Evans Is A “Masterchef Junior” Vegetarian Star
• Holly Madison Enjoys Vegan Smoothie From M Cafe In Beverly Hills
• Controversy Over Pro-Vegeterian Curriculum In Schools
• Ellie Goulding Creates Protein Bar “Everlasting Joy” With GoMacro

As promised, here’s “Top Chef All Stars” contestant Carla Hall discussing cooking for the holiday season using local, seasonal ingredients as part of  the Tom’s of Maine Wicked Fresh! Live Chat series highlighting people making a difference in their careers.

Possibly Related Posts:

• Chrissy Teigen Failed Vegan Experiment
• Mia Evans Is A “Masterchef Junior” Vegetarian Star
• Holly Madison Enjoys Vegan Smoothie From M Cafe In Beverly Hills
• Controversy Over Pro-Vegeterian Curriculum In Schools
• Ellie Goulding Creates Protein Bar “Everlasting Joy” With GoMacro