Blog #2: Plant Based (Vegan) versus Animal Based Diets

1) What is the definition of a plant-based or vegan diet?

Some of the definition to plant-based diet will be the diet “mainly” vegetable, fruits and nuts. For vegan diet, it is more strictly defined as 100% plant-based diet. No meat, seafood, or dairy products should be consumed

2) Provide 3 health benefits of following a plant-based diet versus the currently high animal based diet that is generally followed. Other than health benefits, what can be other benefits of following a plant-based diet (hint: think of the environment, moral/ethical values, cost, food sustainability, nutrient benefits)?

Health benefits 

• Plants have high fiber (generally), which is good for human body

• Plant based diet can lower the blood pressure, which then reduce the risk of heart attack or stroke 

• Plant based diet can in general help weight control 

Other benefits 

• Plant-based diet is generally better for the environment. It costs much more land and water to grow the animals. The meat consumption is also associated with releasing greenhouse gases, which is one of the causes for climate change. 

• Plant-based diet is generally more economical diet.

3) In your future culinary profession, can you see yourself incorporating plant-based foods in your menus? Why or Why not? 

I’ve always been trying to make vegan good taste good and is considering to do plant-based food (or at least partially) if I become a culinary profession. This is one of the reason I joined culinary programme. 

4) Share a vegan recipe, in a standard recipe format (recipe can be sweet or savoury). Provide photos of your process with a) raw ingredients b) the cooking process c) finished product

Tomato confit 

Ingredients

Tomato: 200g

Olive oil: 30ml (for baking) & 100ml (after baking)

Garlic: 5 cloves 

Rosemary: 2 springs

Salt: 1 tbsp (15ml)

Recipe

• Preheat oven at 170C 
• Cut the tomatoes in half and mix with olive oil, salt and garlic cloves (skin removed)
• Bake for around 40min - 60min or until the tomatoes are dried out but not burnt
• Cool down the tomatoes and put in container with 100ml olive oil and rosemary srpings

5) Reflect on your experience. How easy was it to find ingredients? Did you learn a new culinary skill while making the dish? What were some of your challenges? Would you make this recipe again?

• It is relatively easy to find all the ingredients in the recipe. Herbs might not be available to everyone but it can be replaced with dried herbs, which are more easily accessible. 
• I would maybe have the rosemary baked in the oven to release the flavor and also have the chopped up rosemary in the container to strengthen the flavor
• The dish is relatively simple and thus not much challenges. One thing will need to be aware though is the storage of the oil. I wasn't 100% sure how long can the oil be stored. 
• I would definitely make the recipe again as it can be applied to various dishes and is easy to make.