I get to teach a vegan cooking class!
This is just in the works, but it looks like I will get to teach a vegan cooking class! Now, I live in the middle of Conservativetown, Nowhere, Indiana, and most of the people here don't even know what tofu is (perhaps because not all our stores don't carry it?). I've been playing over what to make, limited by time, interest, and money (I have to supply the food, since it's raising money for the co-op! Yessssss! I can't wait!)
Okay, so I know for my protein I want to do tofu. I was speaking with someone involved, and he had never heard of tempeh and seitan (Satan?! >:D), so I thought that might weird people out. The people around here already think we're weird hippies that only eat twigs and berries (literally, I have an uncle that says this every time I see him). So, I think tofu would be best.
I'm thinking of perhaps doing a tofu scramble to represent breakfast, something for dinner like a stir fry maybe? And then a silken tofu chocolate mousse pie. That'll wow them! The scramble doesn't take long to do, neither does the pie (except setting up, so I will make one ahead of time). So, any suggestions for a dinner time tofu meal? I thought about baked tofu, but that might be too boring, and maybe to tofu-y for people not familiar with it's taste? What else could I do?
If this goes well, then we think it would be awesome to them maybe do a tempeh and/pr seitan class, but we're going to transition into that.
ANY SUGGESTIONS????
You could do a quiche or tofu ricotta stuffed shells, or tofu ricotta lasagna.
broccoli in garlic sauce
http://www.vegcooking.com/recipeshow.asp?RequestID=126&Search=broccoli
Add fried firm tofu and sauteed mushrooms to it. Make sure the tofu is firm after it's fried (don't burn yourself) not soft at all.
Tofu fish
http://www.vegcooking.com/recipeshow.asp?RequestID=1899&Search=tofu+fish
Tofu scampi
http://www.vegcooking.com/recipeshow.asp?RequestID=1405&Search=tofu+scampi
I've made all three. I think they are pretty good.
If you pick any of these I suggest you make them beforehand and then decide what your going to serve to your class.
I love the "Orange Chicken Style Tofu" recipe on here, if you want to do a stir fry. I also love the idea of making tofu ricotta or quiche, just to show how versatile tofu is. A lot of people think it only shows up as bland chunks to replace the meat in a dish.
Tofu for just one dish? I'm not good with tofu. I'm hypothyroid so I have to stay away from it. (Plus, I hate the taste of it in anything but a scramble.)
I like the idea demonstrating dishes that they'd make again at home. They might think tofu is interesting, but they may not use it again. Sharing the excitement of whole foods would be cool. A lot of people buy pre-prepared food. They're more likely to make easy vegan dishes that freeze well and taste scrumptious at home, after the class. Maybe make a combination of pre-prepared and fresh, like starting with canned beans, but everything else is fresh. All of the following recipes are grocery store friendly.
Breakfast
Baked Oatmeal Breakfast Pie: This is great because it's something they can make the evening before and then bake the morning of. It makes plenty and the leftovers taste just as good. If you use it, cut down on the sugar. It's waaay sweet. And skip the EnerG Egg Replacer. You don't need it. This freezes well, so people can make it ahead of time and take portions to work with them if they eat breakfast there instead of home.
GRAIN, FRUIT
Lunch
Sweet Onion & Mushroom Soup: I haven't made this, but if you're planning to mix it up and make something like soup for lunch, mushrooms in one of the dishes is great because they have a rich flavor. This would be good served with crusty sourdough bread.
VEGETABLE
Dinner
Coconut Black Beans: This is rich and creamy - definitely not "rabbit food". I make the coconut black beans, freeze it in half-pint canning jars and then use it over grains or veggies, etc. It's totally versatile. I made it with a bag of frozen mango that were a bit under-ripe (bad), so I don't know what it's like with proper ingredients. (Also, you've now just combined protein with the breakfast oats.)
LEGUME, FRUIT, VEGETABLE
Or whatever type of bean recipe people are likely to make again at home.
Dessert
Excellent Vegan Wacky Cake: I like this cake because it was made by people during the depression, so it's legit in the eyes of omnis. Plus, it doesn't take any "proprietary" ingredients that omnis will never buy.
I thought I could find/remembered more, but here's one recent thread about doing a cooking class: http://vegweb.com/index.php?topic=26407.0
I haven't thought it out yet, beyond that.
i 2nd - or 3rd the lasagna idea. it shows a simple (no need to press a ton, etc) way to change a meal they probably already are familiar with but wouldve never thought to do on their own. i think tofu stir fries are sorta predictable since theyre on most chinese food menus. ive used the tofu ricotta as a spread on crackers, too. they may already have a family lasagna recipe that they can now make healthier.
also, vegan mac & cheese sounds like it would be a scary thing, but ive made this recipe http://vegweb.com/index.php?topic=26011.0. for lots of people and theyve loved it. before i make it i tell them what it's made of and they totally get intrigued and can't wait to try it. another bonus is that they don't need any special ingredients since it has no ny or soy cheese in it. i think i really showcases what flavors can be created by using vegetables & nuts alone, it really surprises people. especially when it's in the blender and it morphs from veggies & nuts into 'cheese'.
good luck!
All such wonderful ideas! my head is spinning with ideas :D Keep them coming!
Oh wow! Your so lucky to teach people how to cook!
I hope to go to a vegan cooking class to be a chef