Vegetarian Star

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.

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A series of cooking videos titled Let’s Cook has been added to the White House’s program, “Let’s Move,” designed to get Americans healthier.

The first of the Let’s Cook videos feature White House chef Sam Kass and Chef Marvin showing you how to stretch food over days, such as making your own stock from leftover vegetable scraps, while incorporating healthier proteins like pastas, beans and tofu.

Yes, you heard it right. Tofu chili is on the menu, with Chef Marvin raving about how marvelous it is around minute 2:45, with the “Cooking With Tofu,” tip.

“You want something affordable and a good substitute for meat and can also put the protein on the table–tofu’s the answer.”

Watch to hear Chef Marvin give his tips for cooking the soybean.

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Paul McCartney has hinted he may play for the Obamas soon.

According to green gossip site Ecorazzi, the vegetarian musician conducted an online chat where he hinted his next stop would be at Pennsylvania Avenue.

“There’s been some rumors and I think we can give you a clue. Think White House. Think playing… If there is an announcement mentioning the White House, remember where you heard it first.”

Nice!

White House chef Sam Kass will surely be pulling up veggies from the South Lawn garden to whip up something deliciously meatless for the guest, if he should make the president’s home a stop on his tour.

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With Gordon Ramsay making a casting call for his new reality TV series about great cooks with no formal training, Master Chef, Stylecaster thought it’d be a good time to highlight a few of its favorite rising chefs.

“Here are the top 10 chefs to watch out for in 2010,” Tricia Ismail at Stylecaster.com writes.

“Watch out” is indeed the right phrase if you see Naomi Pomeroy heading for your kitchen.

A former vegetarian, Pomeroy is now head chef of Beast in Portland, Oregon where every beast appears on the menu.

From Stylecaster:

“This one-time vegetarian is now head chef at the restaurant Beast in Portland, Oregon where she is known for her steak tartare, foie gras bonbon, and chicken liver moose with candied bacon. Things have definitely changed–for the better.”

Or changed for the worse.

However, there is hope, as White House assistant chef Sam Kass is also on the way to fame.

Kass supported bringing the Farmer’s Market near the Pennsylvania Avenue area in D.C., keeps himself busy tending to produce in the White House organic garden, and will hopefully continue to carry out Michelle Obama‘s wish to encourage people to incorporate healthier, locally grown produce into their diets.

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The worst part about winter (besides being stuck in the snow, high heating bills and dry skin) is having to miss out on all the seasonal produce you now have to buy frozen.

Sam Kass and the rest of Michelle Obama‘s staff is protecting the White House organic garden this winter by using “hoop houses” that will help the cabbage, spinach, carrots and other produce absorb heat and protect from frost.

“Sugar doesn’t freeze, so spinach produces extra sugars in the winter to protect itself from frost,” Kass blogged. “It tastes almost like candy.”

Hmm…Is a veggie lover in the garden like a kid in a candy store?

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Grab your reusable shopping bags and take the Metro headed towards 1600 N. Pennsylvania Ave. to visit the Farmer’s Market at the White House.

A permit was approved this week for the nonprofit Fresh Farm Markets to close Vermont Avenue Northwest between H and I Streets in order to clear the way for a Farmer’s Market near the President’s home.

The market opens next week on September 17 and will run until October 29.

It’s not certain whether the Obamas will make an appearance at the markets, but Sam Kass, an assistant chef at the White House has showed up at a community meeting recently to show support.

Last August, Barack Obama said he wanted to get a farmer’s market near the White House.

One initiative passed, many more to go.

via nytimes.com via ecorazzi.com

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