Vegetarian Star

Tom Colicchio has seen a lot of interesting meals pass his way during his stint as a Top Chef judge. That’s why it’s incredible he mentioned a vegetarian dish as being one of the most memorable–for a good reason.

Colicchio told TV Guide, “Michael Voltaggio made banana-asparagus risotto for the vegetarian challenge and it was really good. It’s usually the dishes I’m surprised by where I say to myself, “I don’t know how that’s going to work,” and then the chef can pull it off.”

Bananas and rice? How does one pull that off? Maybe with peppers, onions and vegan cheese, as the combination that’s called for in this Banana Risotto Recipe. The asparagus is missing, but that shouldn’t prevent you from taking a 1/2 pound or so, blanching them and throwing them in.

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The True Blood Season 2 DVD and Blu-Ray edition has just been released and there are special features included, such as fake infomercials and The Vampire News.

One segment on The Vampire News has Tom Colicchio making an edible version of a blood drink for vampires that have stopped eating humans for ethical reasons (even the free-range humans).

Why do conventional chefs think chicken stock is a necessity in an otherwise vegetable based dish?

Who knows, but if you substitute vegetable broth for the stock, you have a completely vegan shake with fava beans for protein, spices like fennel and star anise, beet juice and other greens.

“I have a few friends that are vampires, and I’ve had this issue,” Collichio says. “We go out, and I’m sitting there through appetizer, and entree, and dessert, and they’re just kind of nursing a TruBlood. It’s a little awkward.”

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Tom Colicchio is working on a new cookbook that is set to be released in 2011 through Artisan books.

According to Artisan’s executive director of publicity, Amy Corley, Colicchio’s new book will be, “very different from anything he’s ever done.”

Might Top Chef fans may be in for less meat and more potatoes?

During a recent benefit for The Hungry in America Project hosted by FEED Projects and the Feed Foundation, Colicchio and Natalie Portman paused for a moment to chat with The Stylist.

Portman expressed excitement about one of Colicchio’s vegetarian recipes.

“He does a delicious potato flatbread pizza,” she said.

Colicchio’s new cookbook will not only offer recipes and techniques, but also Tom’s “philosophies and beliefs” about cooking food.

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Natalie Portman appeared on Top Chef last night to hang with Tom Colicchio and the burger bad girl Padma Lakshmi.

Portman warned the chefs they had better not be pulling a chicken stock in a veggie dish move.

“I love food, I love to eat all kinds of things, but I’m a vegetarian,” she said. “And if you serve me animal flesh I will thrust a light sabre through your eye.”

Point was definitely taken.

Things heated up when Natalie and guests started talking about the dish of shallots and garlic.

Lakshmi complained about the shallot, which she described as “a little sharp” when paired with garlic blossoms that she described as “very tiny in size and yet…”

“Big in your mouth?” Portman jumped in and said before Lakshmi could finish.

“It went from a little prick to big in your mouth,” Colicchio said.

“That’s what usually happens,” another guest said, which made the entire group laugh.

Hmm…never knew Colicchio had such a dirty mind.

What’s really disappointing is that Mike, the chef with the vegan mom, was sent home packing.

Not cool at all.

via eonline.com and ajc.com

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Russell Simmons has launched an online auction for the 10th annual Art For Life Garden Party Benefit on July 18 in East Hampton.

Art For Life Benefits Simmons’ charity, Rush Philanthropic Arts Foundation, that allows kids from disadvantaged backgrounds to connect with the arts.

The online auction features the chance to attend a private dinner at Simmons’ place in East Hampton on July 20, where several guests will be present, including former president of the United States, Bill Clinton.

The vegan dinner will be prepared by celebrity chef Tom Colicchio.

A total of 35 other guests will be in attendance, representing 35 of the most influential people in the world under 35 years of age. Previous year’s guest included representatives from Facebook and Twitter.

To bid in the auction, as well as check out other items available such as the chance to meet Fall Out Boy and yoga lessons with Simmons, visit charitybuzz.com.

via looktothestars.org

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