Vegan News

Whole Foods Market caters to vegans with chef-created holiday meal

Vegetables are the thing, see.

Photo courtesy of Whole Foods Market

Whole Foods Market has upped its holiday game with the addition of a new vegan holiday meal, which it will debut on November 1.

The Austin-based supermarket chain has partnered with award-winning chef Jeremy Fox, author of the cookbook On Vegetables, to launch a holiday meal that's entirely vegan.

In prior years, Whole Foods' focus has been primarily on turkey or ham dinners — although in 2017, it did partner with Vedge, the legendary Philadelphia vegan restaurant, on a meal with cauliflower, lentil stuffing, rutabaga-mashed potatoes, and carrots.

Fox is currently chef and partner at Rustic Canyon and Tallula's in Santa Monica, California. He has a new restaurant called Birdie G's that will debut in spring 2019.

He's known for his game-changing approach to cooking with vegetables, as well as a thoughtful and sustainable approach to farmers market-driven cuisine.

He collaborated with Whole Foods' culinary development team to provide a plant-centered option for customers and new twists on classic holiday sides.

Okay okay, enough with the fanfare, let's get to the point. The vegan meal for two includes:

Romanesco cauliflower roast with miso bagna cauda: Whole, slow-cooked Romanesco cauliflower with lemon-garlic bagna cauda sauce and red miso.
Cremini mushroom stuffing with kimchi: Slow-cooked cremini mushrooms steeped with rosemary, extra-virgin olive oil, and white wine vinegar, plus sautéed shallots and vegan kimchi.
Charred escarole with tomatoes and chickpeas: Autumn stew of cherry tomatoes and chickpeas braised with garlic and rosemary, on a bed of charred escarole, the lightly bitter green.
Roasted acorn squash with maple and hazelnut dukkah: Wedges of squash, roasted sweet-and-sour style with maple syrup, sherry vinegar, and cayenne pepper, topped with an earthy crunch of hazelnuts, sesame seeds, herbs, and sea salt.
Frosted sweet potato blondie with spiced cashews: Roasted sweet potatoes and golden raisins add a natural sweetness to this vegan take on a traditional blondie, with vanilla frosting, a sprinkling of toasted cashews, sugar, and a hint of curry.

The vegan holiday meal will be available for Thanksgiving and throughout the holiday season at shop.wfm.com. Click your store and look for the "Vegan Holiday" link on the left.

Customers can get $5 off online pre-orders of the vegan holiday meal placed on shop.wfm.com November 1-6 with the promo code VEGAN.

To celebrate World Vegan Day and the new partnership, recipes will be featured on Whole Foods Market hot bars nationwide November 1.

vegan

This week in gluttony

These are the 8 best food and drink events in Dallas this week

Monarch

Monarch marks five years this week with a five senses dinner.

A 49th-floor restaurant will mark five years this week with a dinner set to engage all five senses. The week is also busy with a paella patio party, a barbecue fest, chocolate tasting soiree, and a wine mixer themed after a movie known for its comedic gold.

Thursday, May 28

Beats & Bites at Terra
Eataly’s rooftop restaurant Terra just refreshed its focus to highlight seasonal ingredients centered around a new wood-fired grill. Now the restaurant will launch its summer Beats & Bites series. Enjoy live jazz paired with a special menu of three chef-curated bites and a choice of craft cocktail for $20. The program will run on Thursdays throughout the early July from 5-8 pm.

Paella Night at Bucket & Rope
The New American restaurant located in the Dallas Farmers Market District will showcase the spirit of Spain during its monthly paella party on the patio. Chef Victor Hugo will serve Spanish paella, communal style, straight from the pan. Reservations are $48 and the evening begins at 6 pm with passed appetizers before paella service at 7 pm.

Monarch Five-Year Anniversary “Five Senses” Dinner
The wood-fired Italian restaurant on the 49th floor of The National downtown will mark its fifth anniversary with a five-course dinner intended to tantalize all five senses. Patrons can expect dramatic tableside presentations, Antinori Italian wine pairings, live entertainment, and an after party upstairs at Kessaku with dancing, DJ music, cocktails, and bites. The menu includes a “sound” course with tuna carpaccio inspired by ocean waves, a “feel” course with prosciutto, mozzarella and Ossetra caviar, a “smell” course with wagyu Italian sausage flambé, and more. The dinner is $250 and begins at 6 pm. Add the after party for $50 more, or $125 on its own.

Dickey’s Barbecue Pit BBQ Fest
The original Dickey’s Barbecue Pit will celebrate National Brisket Day and its 85th anniversary with the inaugural BBQ Fest, a fundraiser benefiting The Dickey Foundation. The family-friendly event will feature live music, barbecue samples, raffles, and a friendly eating competition between members of Dallas Fire-Rescue and the Dallas Police Department. Admission includes a Rancher’s Premium Sausage Sandwich and a Big Yellow Cup. May 28. It'll take place 3-6 pm at the original Dickey’s Barbecue Pit, 4610 N. Central Expwy. Tickets are $10.

Saturday, May 30

Drink North Texas Wine Festival
Taking place at the Frontiers of Flight Museum, this all-day wine tasting event will feature samplings from a dozen North Texas wineries. Sip and stroll amid a collection of aircraft while enjoying live jazz, food vendors, and shopping, too. Ticket start at $38 for regular general admission pricing and the event will run from 10 am-8 pm.

Catalina Wine Mixer at Cane Rosso
Cane Rosso White Rock will host its second annual patio party (named for a scene in the comedy Step Brothers) with wine stations, cocktails, live action food stations, and live music. Menu highlights include grilled mortadella with chimichurri, panzanella salad, vodka pasta with Calabrian chicken meatballs, and porchetta sliders. Tickets (which are expected to sell out) are $40, and the event will run from 5-9 pm.

Sunday, May 31

For the Love of Chocolate at Dude, Sweet Chocolate
Dallas’ pioneering artisan chocolate shop will host its annual evening of chocolate and food tastings. The $110 ticket includes cocktails; bites by guest restaurants and chefs including Georgie, Taco y Vino, Snap BBQ, and more; and of course, chocolate. The event begins at 5 pm.

Chef Collective Dinner at Meridian featuring David Uygur from Lucia
Meridian has launched a guest chef dinner series featuring local chefs cooking alongside executive chef Eduardo Osorio at the Village Dallas restaurant. Next up is David Uyger of the Michelin-recognized restaurant Lucia. A tasting menu will be served and 20 percent of the $185 ticket price will be donated to Meat Fight, a nonprofit that supports those living with multiple sclerosis. Reservations available all evening starting at 5 pm.