Next Throw-Down--Vegan?

It's getting warmer outside, and the farmer's markets are going to be teeming with fresh produce.

Additionally as far as I can remember/tell, all of our throw-downs have been centered around a meat dish which excludes some of our vegetarian and vegan forumites.

Therefore, in the spirit of seasonality and camaraderie, I propose that our next throw-down be vegan.

Obviously that's a very large category and it will need some narrowing. We could have a Throwfu-Down (tofu themed if that isn't clear, because it is 2 AM and I might not be making perfect sense), or we could try using textured vegetable protein. We could also just forget about meat substitutes entirely and have some sort of fresh vegetable cook off.

Obviously this won't be taking place for a while since we just wrapped up the C&D Throw-Down, but it never hurts to plan ahead.

There are lots of places to go with this really, so does anyone have any specific ideas?

No specific ideas (yet), but that'd be a great idea.

Yeah, for a vegan like me, things like a "chicken and dumplings" event are simply something I skip over and cannot participate in. I know I'm in Kentucky, so I don't expect veggie events, but they are nice when they come along. We're not quite as progressive here as places I've lived in the past, like Tucson, Portland, and even Chicago.

Perhaps a dish with a mock meat. Could be made in any manner, seitan, tofu, etc. I had some amazing mock meats at a buddhist "deli" in Hong Kong a few years back. They can be so convincing that you wonder if it really isn't meat. But like I said, I haven't been paying attention to the throw downs, so I don't really even know what they consist of...

Cheers,

Nimbus

[Robin Garr]

Paul, I'm certainly willing to sponsor one - and perhaps the charity beneficiary could be some kind of animal-welfare or animal-rights organization?

I liked the idea last night of requiring the use of farmers' market/CSA ingredients, and doing it during the peak of summer. I also like Nimbus's idea of narrowing it to include some kind of "mock meat" or soy protein. Maybe a little open-ended rather than calling for a specific dish?

The big question is would there be sufficient participation to support an event? I assume at least some of our carnivores would be interested in participating as either a cook or diner.

What about Community Farm Alliance as the charity? http://www.communityfarmalliance.org

This sounds like a great idea! I was tempted to enter the Chix and dumplins TD, but using mock chicken to produce a couple of gallons of product was cost prohibitive. Perhaps this could even encourage a few carnivores to go meatless a day or two a week.

Or, perhaps a Recession TD - dinner for 4 for $10 or less.

This sounds like a great idea! I was tempted to enter the Chix and dumplins TD, but using mock chicken to produce a couple of gallons of product was cost prohibitive. Perhaps this could even encourage a few carnivores to go meatless a day or two a week.

Or, perhaps a Recession TD - dinner for 4 for $10 or less.

Speaking as a carnivoire, it would not encourage me to go meatless for a day or two a week, but I would be excited about the challenge and think it adds to the whole creativity of such an event.

Paul, I'm certainly willing to sponsor one - and perhaps the charity beneficiary could be some kind of animal-welfare or animal-rights organization?

I assume at least some of our carnivores would be interested in participating as either a cook or diner.

Not to politicize but I'm betting I'm not the only one who can't/won't get behind anything that benefits or promotes any of a rather broad list of controversial "animal rights" organizations (PETA, etc, etc). On the other hand, if ya want to raise money for a local spaying and neutering program...well hell, I'll sit down and eat a big ol' mess of greens with ya.

This sounds like it could make for an interesting challenge. I like the idea of using farmers market produce as opposed to the "mock" meat thing. As to what Steve said,probably would be a good idea to steer clear of a controversial group like PETA,their shelter animal euthanasia program is disturbing to say the least.

I'm with Steve about some of the animal-rights groups. They are a little too radical for my taste and my money. The Humane Society, Alley Cat Advocates or another group like that is a different story and one I could support.

As far as the vegan idea, I love it!

This sounds like it could make for an interesting challenge. I like the idea of using farmers market produce as opposed to the "mock" meat thing. As to what Steve said,probably would be a good idea to steer clear of a controversial group like PETA,their shelter animal euthanasia program is disturbing to say the least.

I'm with John- focus on Farmer's Market vegetables- maybe even a restriction that all produce is seasonal? Meatless- but I'd see the Mock meat thing as an option if the chef wants to include it, but not the focus or a requirement.

Should it be vegan or vegetarian?
Deb

I am a carnivore, but also enjoy many mock meat dishes and all vegetable dishes. Vegan is slightly harder and the guidelines would certainly have to be specific. However, I would love to participate in some aspect! Maybe the common thread for the entries could the use of at least one specific ingredient, such as quinoa or heirloom tomatoes or a specific herb. Or, maybe the challenge could be that your dish has to be prepared using only the items on a list that is designed by Robin of say 20 -25 ingredients (not including salt, pepper, water and oil). Let's do it!!!

I'm for this idea but, didnt Jo Self try to organize a vegan potluck on here with little success? I might be wrong though.

Also let me add no on PETA and that's coming from a vegetarian.

deciding vegan and vegetarian is a big thing.... My sister came to visit in March and i kept trying to make her something to eat, but my mind was thinking vegetarian. Vegan is a bit more challenging, and personally a little harder to please a non-vegetarian/vegan.

Becky, you just have to read labels carefully. There's a grilled "chicken" product that's vegan, there's tofu and tofutti cream cheese and rice cream. DD is vegan and for example, for Easter brunch we had the following - all vegan

biscuits and gravy
grilled asparagus
cinnamon rolls
Tofutti cream cheese blintzes with fruit topping
fruit salad with a soy yogurt dressing

I think there were some other dishes. You just have to wrap your mind around it.

[Robin Garr]

What about Community Farm Alliance as the charity? http://www.communityfarmalliance.org

Very good nomination. It's early to commit, but I'm inclined to pencil that in as the obvious choice. Thanks, Kurt.