Vegetarian Cuisine

[Chef Matisse]

I have seen this more when I travel out of California. Vegetarian Cuisine is often a second thought. Many chefs who have never tried a vegetarian diet seem to look down on vegetarians. They are thought of as "Hippies" or people who don't KNOW FOOD.
This is troubling and I even have seen this from some of my old classmates from the CIA. I think there should be a Vegetarian Cuisine class at every culinary school.

American Celebrity Chef Matisse Selman

[coolJ]

Awesome pic !!.
Just wanted to mention that i don't look down on vegetarians, I can respect where they come from, it's when you get down to becoming a vegan that worries me. I don't think it's as wrong as I used to, to be vegan, I just don't see how cutting 100% of all animal based products out of your diet can be healthy. You see, I have been riased to make sure that you have some form of protein as a part of your meal, that's why I at first was critical of a vegan diet.

[RitaFajita]

When I first started learning to cook, I did a lot of vegetarian stuff. The first two cookbooks I ever owned were vegetarian. I think it's important to at least experiment with, becuase it teaches you to concentrate on different things, like what to do when you can't use chicken stock to enhance flavor. It's almost like learning a second language. It broadens your understanding.

At the same time, I can understand why so many people find vegetarians and the whole concept so annoying. I have a really good friend who I have known most of my life. She lives across the country now. Somewhere along the line, she became a vegetarian. When I see her, we eat vegetarian. I have never told her this, but it kind of bugs me that she just assumes that I will bend to accomodate her beliefs and her lifestyle. I don't expect her to share a steak with me or anything, but if she would just occasionally acknowlegde that I might want some meat because I am not a vegetarian, I would appreciate it. It doesn't occur to her to do so. There seems to be a lack of mutual respect there.

On yet another hand, I have another friend who is vegetarian and not like that at all. With her, meat is served on the side, so that all tastes may be accomodated.

RF

[Chefkell]

I don't have a problem with vegetarians per se. But I have some issues with the reasons people are vegetarian. We begin to tread into political issues here I guess, but I'm an avid hunter and fisherman and when I find people don't eat meat because "how could you eat that cute little _____"...that gets under my skin. And yes I probably do look down at them if this is the case.

That being said I nearly always have at least a couple vegetarian options on the menu and always at least one item that can be made vegan. I prefer to speak to the guest personally whenever possible though as it seems to ve better recieved when they know I'm trying to make them happy.

Here's one from last summer. A grilled local vegetable stack with goat cheese crouton, balsamic and curry oil

[Spiny norman]

when you get down to becoming a vegan that worries me.

Over 750 million Hindus are vegetarian. Many of them are not only vegan - they don't eat onions, tomatoes or garlic either.... and they're all still alive and kicking!!

[Spiny norman]

[quote=Chefkell]I don't have a problem with vegetarians per se. But I have some issues with the reasons .
That's understandable. I'm a vegetarian cos I don't like the flavor or texture of meat. I do very occasionally eat a bit, but very very little. No issues with huntin' and fishin ' - in fact , that makes a great day /or weekend out!
When it gets political - I'm outta here! You get into the "holier than thou" themes, you get into hot water.

[Spiny norman]

There are always two sides to a story, Rita. I get the same thing - I go to a BBQ and people say " I made you chicken cos you're a vegetarian...". The menu is Steaks, Chicken, Sausage, Grilled kidneys, blood sausage, chops... and a side salad. So I get whacked after two glasses of wine cos there's no food for me.
I do the BBQ in my house - I don't EAT meat, but I've learned to cook it reasonably well. I use my kids and my pals to try it out before serving. BUT I always do vegetarian stuff too - they learn, so do I.

[jane]

I used to be vegetarian (I just think it's a healthier way to eat) and cooked only vegetarian food. I learnt a lot of different types of cooking (east indian, chinese, japanese, greek, mexican etc) I stopped being vegetarian when I went to cooking school. We could eat what we cooked and saying no to rack of lamb, fillet mignon, lobster,was not possible for me. I cook both now and I actually like doing the vegetarian stuff more. it's more challenging but also I find vegetarians are more experimental with trying unusual ingredients.

[genevieve.m]

Funny thing is, when you put vegetarian options on the menu, most of the time the vegetarian wants something else...

[RegularJoe]

Originally Posted by genevieve.m

Funny thing is, when you put vegetarian options on the menu, most of the time the vegetarian wants something else...

Isn't that understandable? Suppose you went to a vegan resturant that had a "couple of meat items" on the menu. What are the chances you would want them?

[genevieve.m]

If I went to a vegan restaurant, I would eat vegan food, thats their specialty.