Chef Jean-Georges told the guests who had gathered at The Inn at Pound Ridge by Jean-Georges this past Tuesday that the inn’s fourth Literary Luncheon would be different. And indeed it was – an all-vegan affair in honor of chef Chloe Coscarelli and her new book, “Chloe Flavor.”
“You’ll see how stuffed you get with vegetables,” she said, and she was right. By the time we got to the fourth course, which included a real old-fashioned white birthday cake, we could hardly finish it. (But we made the sacrifice and plunged ahead.)
The lunch was a “Babette’s Feast” from beginning to end. Our favorites included the pistachio guacamole, the green chickpea hummus, the creamy cherry tomato pasta with pine nut ricotta and Brazil nut cheese and, of course, the marzipan-flavored cake.
Fifteen years ago, Coscarelli decided that it was crazy to have animals in the house and on the table and went vegan. Being half-Jewish and half-Italian, there was always plenty of great food at home. Now there would be vegan food as well.
Preparing vegan cuisine, which uses no animal products, for Thanksgiving one year proved a revelation: By the time she got to make a plate, the vegan offerings were all gone – proving that people love their fruits, veggies, nuts and grains – especially when they are imaginatively prepared.
By the end of the meal, we were more than convinced.
For more, visit chefchloe.com and theinnatpoundridge.com.
– Georgette Gouveia
