Vegan vs Keto vs Traditional … Unexpected Delights!
Vegan vs Keto vs Traditional …
Unexpected Delights!
Vegan vs Keto vs Traditional … Unexpected Delights!
There are so many fads and confusion when it comes to diet and nutrition these days. As a personal chef and caterer, I am always faced with the challenge of creating delicious offerings for varying dietary needs. No family has a standard menu, and many require a mix of traditional, vegan, vegetarian, pescatarian, keto, Atkins, etc. Sometimes we come across wonderful nutritious options that actually taste better than the original recipes!
The benefits of these diets are up for debate, but from a chef’s perspective, I always want meals to be nutritious and delicious. When we cut out many of the traditional ingredients from recipes, there must be alternatives to replace those elements. Butter. Salt. Fat. Sugar. These things taste good, and are “slam dunks” on your palette. It’s rewarding to create some of these traditional dishes with a new twist to cater to some of the protein and plant based diets.
I am part of a group called The Palos Verdes League of Extraordinary Business Women. We participate in monthly meetings to share our experiences and support our endeavors. I’m the chef of the group, so I will prepare snacks to get us through our morning meetings. I decided to bring a few loaves of my “Chef Kelly’s World Famous Zucchini Bread”. It’s an inside joke amongst the ladies, as they have used my zucchini bread for family gatherings and holiday gifts. However, this time I thought to bring a few vegan and keto based loaves for the new members to try. I’ve collected and created many recipes over the years through my work, so I zeroed in on a few that looked good, and cranked up the test kitchen.
The vegan option is not difficult to shop for or to prepare. The appropriate ingredients are easy to locate, and it whips up in seconds. No eggs? No problem.
The keto has a few interesting twists and turns. The use of monk fruit as a sweetening agent and almond flour to replace traditional wheat based flour sounds odd at first, but the resulting texture is pleasant and the bread is particularly moist.
I packed three loaves and sped off to meet my girls. I labeled each, and waited for the results. I was surprised to see that the keto loaf disappeared first, with the vegan right behind! It doesn’t take long for anything I bring to be enjoyed, but I clearly had a hit with the keto loaf! I am glad when clients and friends experience something new and delicious though my cooking, it is the most gratifying thing about my work.
One hurdle is to find a reliable grocer that carries the appropriate organic ingredients. In my experience, Gelson’s, Mother’s, Lazy Acres, and Whole Foods have a great understanding of dietary needs. The larger chain stores like Ralphs and VONS are integrating many organic ingredients so that everyone can benefit.
Bon Appetite!
Chef Kelly Cook
About Chef Kelly Cook
I’m passionate about feeding families, delicious food, and making mealtime easy. I understand the struggle that many busy people face who want to strike a balance between the desire to eat comforting, home-cooked meals with the lack of time to search for recipes, grocery shop, and cook nightly.
As a child, I spent many joyful summers in the kitchen with my grandmother. Together, we prepared all types of cuisine—and as a teen, and young adult, I found myself glued to cooking shows for hours on end, exploring recipe books, and even attending a class or two to further my culinary knowledge. I discovered how much I enjoyed cooking for family and friends through these classes, and I began experimenting with dishes, and creating my own recipes. Eventually, my passion took me beyond the role of home cook, and into professional kitchens.
After many years of culinary school, I honed my skills by working under an executive chef in a test kitchen in Southern California. While I’ve worked and had great success in professional kitchens, I find the most joy in making unique, personalized menus and meals for private clientele.
My well-rounded approach to cooking allows me to perfectly match my clients’ needs. Whether you’re searching for a few healthy meals a week to complement your diet, freshly-made nightly dinners to feed your family of picky eaters, or an eclectic menu for your next party or gathering, I can create a menu to delight!
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