Crispy Maple Brussels with a Unique Peanut Sauce
and life changing jackfruit tacos that I am making on repeat
I know we are all waiting for fall but summer is still here and I am still enjoying the last bits of summer produce. Which means you guys are enjoying the last bits of summer with me and what better way to do that than with tacos ! Trust me, I have plenty of pumpkin spice ideas and fall produce plans.
In this weeks jackfruit carnitas reel, I shared a little personal story of when I was in culinary school. My chef liked to think of cool field trips for us and occasionally we would go to different kinds of markets and grocery stores. It was really fun all of us car pooling around for class credit and shopping for items to use in class. Along this trip I saw a whole jackfruit that was 70 pounds! Which is how much my dogs weighs so that was pretty crazy to see. Luckily jackfruit is also sold in cans so don’t worry about trying to find it locally. Depending on where you live that might actually be possible. What I think is pretty cool about jackfruit is its texture and how it pulls a part or almost shreds similarly to pork and carnitas ! It soaks up any marinade pretty well so its a pretty creative plant based protein alternative to play around with.
The Weekly Round-Up
Crispy Maple Brussels & Peanut Sauce
Whenever I travel, one of the factors that I like to structure my trips around is finding vegan friendly places for the sake of a good meal of course but also for inspiration. I am a bit particular when it comes to finding vegan options out and about because I don't want just another impossible burger, especially when I am on vacation. I am looking for something creative. Maybe something seasonal or a little more intention behind the dish and less of a sad vegan afterthought.
A couple years ago I went to Asheville North Carolina and there was a fully vegan restaurant that I still dream of to this day, called Plant. If you ever visit Ashville I highly recommend making a reservation ! I tried a lot of things from their seasonal menu and one thing that impressed me forever was this dish with brussels sprouts that had an oddly cheesy cumin peanut sauce that kinda took me by surprise that I have been replicating at home ever since.
It's one of those flavor combinations that you just feel is impossible to work but then it just does. Since then this has become my favorite way to eat brussels sprouts.
Jackfruit Carnitas Tacos & Guac
Jackfruit makes for an amazing plant-based faux shredded pork making it perfect for a carnitas style jackfruit. Piled on top of fresh guac and a fresh homemade tortilla. I know it seems like an extra step and it is however I think fresh tortillas are totally worth it if you have the time and materials because nothing beats that corn flavor. To bring it all together I like to top these off with a bit of diced red onions, cilantro and of course a squeeze of fresh lime.
That’s it for this week folks ! I hope you guys have been liking how I have been liking this newsletter now that with a couple weeks I seem to have this Substack thing down.
If you are looking for the recipe, click the title of each recipe and it will take you to my site where all the ingredients and instructions are. This makes for a shorter weekly email that is hopefully a lighter read.
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And of course feel free to leave any questions, comments or reviews! This is the best place to reach me, and I’d love to hear from you <3