The Vegetarian Gourmet

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The Vegetarian Gourmet Fabulous plant-based world cuisines, created with love and expertise from local organic ingredients Our menus are custom-tailored to suit your needs and budget.

The Vegetarian Gourmet specializes in the finest vegetarian and vegan cuisines from around the globe, prepared with love from locally sourced, sustainably grown ingredients.

⁣Chase away the winter blahs with a hearty soup from the shores of the Mediterranean. Traditionally made with lamb, it c...
03/02/2025

⁣Chase away the winter blahs with a hearty soup from the shores of the Mediterranean. Traditionally made with lamb, it combines chick peas, lentils, vegetables, and exotic spices – without the lamb, it is vegan and still highly nutritious. The soup is eaten by Jews and Muslims alike upon breaking a fast. Here is the recipe.⠀
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⁣If it came out of a package with a long list of ingredients you can’t pronounce, it’s not food, Dude! It’s a food produ...
02/02/2025

⁣If it came out of a package with a long list of ingredients you can’t pronounce, it’s not food, Dude! It’s a food product, scientifically formulated by one of the manufacturing giants to deliver the right amount of addictive flavor to keep you coming back for more and more . . . long after you’re full. ⠀
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The magic flavor hook is delivered by prodigious amounts of sugar, fat and salt. Cravings induced by sugar, according to an article in the NY Times, are “comparable to those induced by addictive drugs like co***ne and nicotine.” You may think you’ve chosen your meal, but it has chosen you. “Convenience” foods may be convenient in terms of saving time and effort, but they take a huge toll on your health. And when your health suffers, all your energy and resources go into trying to get well again. “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure”. If you want to remain healthy and vital, eat real food. Watch for our educational blog on eating simply and well.⠀
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⁣I don’t know about you, but I’m getting pretty fed up reading about the shameless greed of big pharma. Let’s not kid ou...
29/01/2025

⁣I don’t know about you, but I’m getting pretty fed up reading about the shameless greed of big pharma. Let’s not kid ourselves – it’s not about your health, it’s about money. Period.⠀
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Your best bet? Stay healthy – your health is your most valuable asset. Eat real food. Stay away from packaged “convenience” food products; they’re full of cheap sugars, cheap fats and a ton of salt. Michael Pollan (www.michaelpollan.com) says is best: Eat food. Not too much. Mostly plants.⠀
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Don’t know how to make the switch? Find out what’s in season by going to your local farmer’s market. Go online and look for recipes that appeal to you. Or book a cooking class at your home or place of business with Chef Margaret Riesen – visit vegetariangourmetcatering.com⠀
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⁣If you had grown up in Switzerland like I did, you would know that chocolate is one of the four food groups. When I fir...
10/01/2025

⁣If you had grown up in Switzerland like I did, you would know that chocolate is one of the four food groups. When I first moved to this country, good dark chocolates were hard to find but, thankfully, that is no longer the case. You’ll even find a great selection of chocolates at your local drugstore . . . who knew? If you open the chocolate drawer in my kitchen, you’ll see a selection of some of my favorites, like the many flavored dark chocolate varieties now available from Lindt.⠀
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For chocolate desserts – e.g. mousse, flourless chocolate torte, triple-chocolate fudge brownies – I use dark chocolate with a high percentage of cacao. Great selections are available at Caillebaut, which you can purchase online, or at your friendly local Trader Joe’s market. The photo, you ask? Pan de Higos -- traditional Spanish fig bread, vegan and gluten-free. Yes, it contains chocolate.⠀
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⁣The cultivation of oil producing plants is intimately connected with the evolution of human societies, for whom the har...
09/01/2025

⁣The cultivation of oil producing plants is intimately connected with the evolution of human societies, for whom the harvesting of plant oils provided food, medicine and fuel for lamps. Much is known about the early peoples inhabiting the Fertile Crescent (the region of the Middle East), where ideal conditions existed for the domestication of animals and the cultivation of various crops. The cultivation of olive trees in Crete began as early as 5000 B.C., with evidence of ancient groves all over the Mediterranean.⠀
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It is no coincidence that the oil of olives has been considered an elixir of good health for thousands of years. Easy to digest, olive oil has a beneficial effect on the stomach and digestive system, and its high content of simple, unsaturated fats (“monounsaturated”) and antioxidant properties are believed to protect against numerous health challenges, among them circulatory problems and heart disease.⠀
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⁣Bring some international flair to your Holiday table with a delicious and easy Middle Eastern relish. I love the combin...
25/12/2024

⁣Bring some international flair to your Holiday table with a delicious and easy Middle Eastern relish. I love the combination of simple and exotic . . . Muhammara’s main ingredients are roasted peppers, garlic, pomegranate molasses, and walnuts. It can be served alongside an antipasto platter, with crudités and breads for dipping. Or include it as part of your Arabian Nights themed Holiday party!⠀
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25/12/2024

⁣Wishing you a season filled with warmth, love, and delicious moments. Merry Christmas!⠀
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⁣We pride ourselves on our eclectic selection of plant-based cuisines from around the world – whether vegetarian, vegan ...
23/12/2024

⁣We pride ourselves on our eclectic selection of plant-based cuisines from around the world – whether vegetarian, vegan or non-vegetarian. Menus are prepared with love and expertise from locally sourced, sustainably grown, organic ingredients.⠀
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We are here to serve – contact us if you need help during the Holidays or at any other time. We make it easy, and we make you look good. Visit https://vegetariangourmetcatering.com/contact⠀
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For your next gathering or Holiday party, surprise your guests by adding avocado to a seasonal fruit salad, e.g. waterme...
20/12/2024

For your next gathering or Holiday party, surprise your guests by adding avocado to a seasonal fruit salad, e.g. watermelon, citrus and mint. There are more than 80 varieties of avocados, but most of us are familiar with the year-round Hass avocado with the thick, nubby skin. California produces 90% of avocado crops in the US, and Florida produces the other 10%.

18/12/2024

Empanadas, dim sum, pasties, piroshky . . . the list goes on. Many cuisines feature tasty little packages of meat and vegetables wrapped in dough – the perfect finger food – which can be served as an appetizer or with a salad for a light meal. Our vegan empanada is a new favorite from The Vegetarian Gourmet, served with chimichurri sauce. The filling has a nice little bite to it, made of a mix of caramelized onion, yams, black beans, cilantro, garlic and Field Roast Mexican chipotle sausage. Our chimichurri sauce has lots of parsley, mint, cilantro, garlic, olive oil, salt and a splash of red wine vinegar.

⁣When people talk about going on a diet, it’s usually for the purpose of shedding unwanted pounds, to fit into that fab ...
17/12/2024

⁣When people talk about going on a diet, it’s usually for the purpose of shedding unwanted pounds, to fit into that fab outfit, to impress at a school reunion . . . but the fact is this. We’re ALL on a diet – whatever we choose to put into our bodies on a regular basis, that’s our diet. The concept of “going on a diet” always smacks of deprivation . . . eating foods we don’t like for the purpose of shedding a few pounds, and then going right back to business as usual. Sound like a good plan? I don’t think so!⠀
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As human animals, we evolved along with our food supply, and the microbes inhabiting our bodies. Our cave-dwelling ancestors ate two things: plants and animals. When someone says “my ancestors were hunters, therefore I’m a carnivore”, I remind them that our ancestors were hunter-gatherers. Most of what they ate was food that they foraged, with the occasional meal of wild game. And because they foraged, they ate a very varied diet, which gave them great mobility and a hardy constitution.⠀
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Here in the US, 70% of what people eat is processed food, and 70% of people struggle with weight and related health challenges. Keep that in mind the next time you’re thinking of going on a diet. The best reason for changing your diet is to improve your health – and you do that by eating real food: plants and animals. Michael Pollan: Eat Food. Not too much. Mostly Plants.⠀
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⁣Until fairly recently, western medical science thought of the gut as mere plumbing . . . you know, sort of like your ga...
17/12/2024

⁣Until fairly recently, western medical science thought of the gut as mere plumbing . . . you know, sort of like your garbage disposal. Nothing could be further from the truth – the importance of the gut has now been promoted to the SECOND BRAIN.⠀
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The gut microbiome – the collection of microbes inhabiting our gut – has been found to be instrumental in disorders related to aging. A healthy microbiome is characterized by a diverse range of microbes, able to perform specific metabolic functions. Loss of this diversity can result in diminished immune function. Dysbiosis – or microbial imbalance – is linked to chronic low grade inflammation, eventually leading to all kinds of metabolic disorders.⠀
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But here’s the good news. A vital microbiome can be achieved with regular physical activity, and a diverse diet HIGH IN PLANT FOODS. This will increase the number of beneficial Bacteriodetes, a gram-negative bacterium which is able to ferment polysaccharides and other indigestible carbohydrates to produce short-chain fatty acids beneficial to the gut. They are found in fruits, vegetables, seeds, whole grains and legumes – in other words, PLANT FOODS.⠀
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⁣Trump those egg dishes with sexy fare from our southern neighbors . . . the possibilities are endless. Ever tried escab...
10/12/2024

⁣Trump those egg dishes with sexy fare from our southern neighbors . . . the possibilities are endless. Ever tried escabeche, a fish that’s partially cooked over a fire and then finishes “cooking” in a marinade? Recipes vary by region, but always contain vinegar or citrus, onion, garlic, chilies and spices. Look for a firm white fish that isn’t too bony – halibut or cod are excellent choices. Serve the fish on a bed of greens with avocado and shredded vegetables, and a side of rice and steamed yam. Buen provecho!⠀
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⁣Beans are a handy staple in your pantry, and they are certainly full of it: full of fiber, protein, complex carbohydrat...
05/12/2024

⁣Beans are a handy staple in your pantry, and they are certainly full of it: full of fiber, protein, complex carbohydrates, vitamins and minerals. Some beans are available canned or frozen for a quick addition to a meal. Stores like Whole Foods and Berkeley Bowl offer many more varieties as dried beans. And wonderful heirloom varieties are carried by Rancho Gordo, available in some local markets and online. Dried beans take more preparation, but it’s worth the effort. For best results, soak the dried beans overnight in cold water, with a pinch of baking soda. Drain and rinse the beans, then cook them in fresh water with dried herbs. Do not salt, or the beans will be tough. Try this recipe⠀
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⁣The most frequently served side dish for all our events is a platter of grilled vegetables. Seasonal, locally available...
04/12/2024

⁣The most frequently served side dish for all our events is a platter of grilled vegetables. Seasonal, locally available vegetables are cut into one-inch pieces, tossed with some olive oil and sea salt, and roasted in a hot oven (400-425 degrees). Root vegetables, available pretty much year-round, include yams (try purple yams), beets, carrots, turnips, and celeriac. In spring and summer, we add summer squash, eggplant or cauliflower. For some accent color, try some Brussels sprouts, cut in half, and tossed in oil and salt. The vegetables can be served alone or on a bed of seasonal greens, with a splash of balsamic and some fresh marjoram and rosemary. Remember -- food is like feng shui: if it's all beige, there's no energy!⠀
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⁣Planning and preparing Thanksgiving dinner for family and friends is a labor of love . . . and it’s a lot of work. Why ...
11/11/2024

⁣Planning and preparing Thanksgiving dinner for family and friends is a labor of love . . . and it’s a lot of work. Why not give yourself a break to enjoy the “Holiday” and delegate some of that work to someone else? Choose from our selection of organic seasonal foods that will delight your guests and make your job easier. Orders need to be in by Saturday, November 23, 2024 at 8:00 pm. You can pick up the foods on Wednesday November 27, 2024 by 2:00 pm at Port Kitchens in Oakland, or by special arrangement.⠀
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Contact us: https://vegetariangourmetcatering.com/contact⠀
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07/11/2024

HEALTHY THANKSGIVING SIDES FOR THE BUSY FAMILY

⁣ZOONOSIS . . . the ability of a microbe to jump from an animal host to a human one, of which the Covid19 pandemic is a ...
06/11/2024

⁣ZOONOSIS . . . the ability of a microbe to jump from an animal host to a human one, of which the Covid19 pandemic is a salient example. The Food & Agriculture arm of the United Nations made this statement back in 2013:⠀
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“Livestock health is the weakest link in our global health chain.”⠀
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People love CHEAP MEAT. The average American eats around 200 lbs. a year, more than half a pound a day. And cheap meat comes from industrial livestock operations, where animals are kept in despicable, overcrowded, inhumane and unsanitary conditions. Because farmed animals are bred for certain traits and are often genetically identical, a rogue microbe does not encounter resistance based on genetic variance, but can spread to the entire population.⠀
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And when that microbe (in this case a virus) is able to infect a human host, we have no immunity to that organism – bingo – WORLD PANDEMIC! On our crowded planet, this will remain the new normal until we close down industrial livestock operations. If you want to be part of the solution, think about what you’re supporting with your consumer dollar!⠀
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Monday 09:00 - 17:00
Tuesday 09:00 - 17:00
Wednesday 09:00 - 17:00
Thursday 09:00 - 17:00
Friday 09:00 - 17:00

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⁣Wishing you a season filled with warmth, love, and delicious moments. Merry Christmas!⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ #HolidayCheer #FestiveSeason #MerryAndBright #HolidayVibes #SeasonOfJoy #HappyHolidays #ChristmasMagic #HolidayTraditions #WinterWonderland #TisTheSeason #FestiveFlavors #HolidayGatherings #JoyfulSeason #HolidaySpirit #CelebrateTheSeason #HolidayEats #SeasonalJoy #HolidayTablescape #HolidayHosting #ChristmasJoy

Empanadas, dim sum, pasties, piroshky . . . the list goes on. Many cuisines feature tasty little packages of meat and vegetables wrapped in dough – the perfect finger food – which can be served as an appetizer or with a salad for a light meal. Our vegan empanada is a new favorite from The Vegetarian Gourmet, served with chimichurri sauce. The filling has a nice little bite to it, made of a mix of caramelized onion, yams, black beans, cilantro, garlic and Field Roast Mexican chipotle sausage. Our chimichurri sauce has lots of parsley, mint, cilantro, garlic, olive oil, salt and a splash of red wine vinegar. #Empanadas #DimSumLovers #VeganEats #PlantBasedFood #VegetarianGourmet #FoodiesOfInstagram #FingerFood #VeganEmpanadas #ChimichurriSauce #GlobalCuisine #MeatlessMeals #FoodArt #FlavorExplosion #TastyBites #VeganFoodie #HomemadeDelights #FusionCuisine #AppetizerGoals #FoodLoversUnite #HealthyAndDelicious

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