Top Chefs Reveal Their Favourite Vegan Recipes

Ever wondered why some vegan foods aren’t as healthy as they seem? It’s shocking, but many supposed “healthy” vegan choices can sabotage your health goals. Today, I will take you through the secrets top chefs share about their favourite vegan recipes and the worst vegan foods you might be eating. Ready to transform your vegan journey?

Top Chefs Reveal Their Favourite Vegan Recipes

1. Signature Dishes

You won’t believe the mouthwatering creations these culinary masterminds are whipping up in their kitchens. Chef Tal Ronnen, known for catering Ellen DeGeneres’s vegan wedding, swears by his hearts of palm “crab cakes.” These crispy, savoury delights fool even the most discerning seafood lovers.

But wait, it gets even better. Gordon Ramsay, yes, that Gordon Ramsay, has fallen in love with his vegan bacon made from rice paper. It’s crispy, it’s smoky, and it’s 100% plant-based. Who would have thought the notoriously meat-loving chef would create such a convincing vegan alternative?

And let’s not forget about dessert. Celebrated pastry chef Fran Costigan’s “Midnight Cake” is a chocolate lover’s dream come true. Rich, moist, and intensely chocolatey, it’s hard to believe there’s no dairy or eggs in sight.

2. Ingredient Choices

The secret to mind-blowing vegan cuisine? It’s all about the ingredients. These top chefs are thinking outside the box when it comes to plant-based cooking.

Chef Matthew Kenney, a pioneer in high-end vegan cuisine, swears by cashews. He uses them to create everything from creamy sauces to “cheese” plates that rival any dairy-based spread.

Top Chefs Reveal Their Favourite Vegan Recipes

Here’s where it gets interesting: Chef Chad Sarno, co-founder of Wicked Healthy, is obsessed with king oyster mushrooms. He uses their meaty stems to create vegan “scallops” that look and taste just like the real thing.

And what ingredient is taking the vegan world by storm? Aquafaba. This liquid gold (aka the brine from canned chickpeas) is being used by pastry chefs to create fluffy meringues and mousses that are indistinguishable from egg-based versions.

3. Cooking Techniques

It’s not just about what you cook but how you cook it. These chefs are employing techniques that elevate vegan cuisine to new heights.

Chef Chloe Coscarelli, winner of Cupcake Wars, is a master of texture. She uses a combination of baking and frying to create crispy-on-the-outside, tender-on-the-inside vegan “chicken” that’ll make you forget all about the real thing.

But here’s the kicker: Chef Derek Sarno of Tesco’s Wicked Kitchen line is revolutionising plant-based cooking with his “mushroom butchery” technique. By scoring and roasting mushrooms in a specific way, he creates a texture that’s uncannily similar to pulled pork.

4. Flavour Combinations

Think vegan food is bland? These chefs are here to prove you wrong with their explosive flavour combinations.

Chef Bryant Terry, author of “Vegetable Kingdom,” is known for his innovative use of African and Asian flavours in vegan cooking. His smoked tofu and potato salad with a peanut dressing is a flavour bomb that’ll make your taste buds dance.

Top Chefs Reveal Their Favourite Vegan Recipes

You won’t believe what’s next: Chef Isa Chandra Moskowitz, the queen of vegan comfort food, combines unexpected flavours like rosemary and chocolate in her cookies. It sounds weird, but trust us, it works!

5. Presentation Tips

Top Chefs Reveal Their Favourite Vegan Recipes

We eat with our eyes first, and these chefs know how to make vegan dishes look as good as they taste.

Chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten, despite not being vegan himself, creates stunning plant-based dishes at his restaurant abcV. He uses vibrant, colourful vegetables to create plates that are true works of art.

Here’s a pro tip from Chef Rich Landau of Vedge restaurant: use negative space on the plate. By leaving some areas empty, you create a more visually appealing dish that lets each element shine.

6. Kitchen Hacks

These chefs have some tricks up their sleeves that’ll make vegan cooking a breeze.

Chef Miyoko Schinner, the founder of Miyoko’s Creamery, has a genius hack for making vegan butter: blend refined coconut oil with a bit of nutritional yeast and turmeric for colour. The result? A spread that tastes and behaves just like dairy butter in baking.

But wait, there’s more! Chef Charity Morgan, who cooks for NFL players, has a secret weapon for creating umami in her dishes: mushroom powder. She adds it to everything from gravies to veggie burgers for an extra depth of flavour.

7. Health Benefits

These chefs aren’t just creating delicious food – they’re also focusing on nutrition.

Chef AJ, a plant-based chef and nutritionist, emphasises the importance of whole foods in her cooking. She creates dishes that are not only tasty but also packed with nutrients.

Here’s something you might not know: Chef Seamus Mullen, who reversed his rheumatoid arthritis through diet, incorporates anti-inflammatory ingredients like turmeric and ginger into his vegan recipes for an extra health boost.

8. Inspiration Sources

Ever wonder where these culinary geniuses get their ideas? You might be surprised.

Chef Gaz Oakley, known as the Avant-Garde Vegan, finds inspiration in his travels. His vegan “fish and chips” was inspired by a trip to his hometown in Wales.

But here’s the real shocker: Chef Nina Curtis, executive chef at Proper Hotels, often looks to traditional meat-based dishes for inspiration. She then challenges herself to recreate them using only plant-based ingredients.

9. Unique Twists

These chefs are taking classic dishes and giving them a vegan makeover that’ll blow your mind.

Chef Candice Hutchings, aka The Edgy Veg, has created a vegan “Big Mac” that’s so close to the original, it’s uncanny. The secret? A special sauce made with vegan mayo, pickle relish, and a blend of spices.

Top Chefs Reveal Their Favourite Vegan Recipes

You won’t believe this one: Chef Doug McNish has invented a vegan “egg yolk” using spherification techniques. It looks and pops just like a real egg yolk, but it’s made entirely from plants.

10. Tips for Home Cooks

Want to cook like a pro? These chefs have some advice for home cooks looking to up their vegan game.

Chef Priyanka Naik emphasises the importance of spices in vegan cooking. She recommends investing in a good spice grinder and experimenting with different blends to create depth of flavour.

And here’s a tip from Chef Chloe Coscarelli that’ll change your life: when making vegan baked goods, don’t be afraid to increase the baking powder or baking soda. This helps achieve the rise and texture that eggs usually provide.

Elevate Your Vegan Cooking Game

With these insider tips from top chefs, you’re ready to create vegan dishes that’ll impress even the most sceptical eaters. Remember, great vegan cooking is all about creativity, bold flavours, and a willingness to experiment. So get in the kitchen and start cooking – your taste buds (and the planet) will thank you!

Subscribe to the Newsletter

Every week you'll receive a roundup of news, insights, resources, and recipes. All in one 5 minute email.

Leave a comment