Photos: Wendy Goodfriend, Video: Vic Chin and Peter Ruocco
This dish is fragrant, spicy and very satisfying. It won’t matter whether or not you’re a vegetarian.
And to make this dish vegetarian it is important that the Worcestershire sauce you use is vegan, made without anchovies. It’s possible to find this product online or in health food stores. Once you make a batch of the Creole spice, you’ll find other excuses to make this dish or add it to your favorite vegetables.
I was a vegetarian once for a short period of time towards the end of high school and beginning of college. I decided to join a friend in her dietary preferences and young women often do. There’s strength in numbers. Most of my family thought I was crazy, but I always found plenty to eat and I think it made me more creative when cooking for myself. I still seek out ways to make new combinations for vegetarians who dine in my restaurant, but this is a favorite that’s always on the menu.
I attempt to put soul food into a new light by using the freshest, most sustainable and organic ingredients whenever possible. And I personally try to limit my consumption of animal fats and proteins. Balance is the key. Most of our side dishes are vegetarian and some are vegan. I want everyone to feel welcome at Brown Sugar Kitchen and know that they can find something on the menu that they can eat that will also satisfy their cravings for comfort food.
Recipe: Vegetarian Dirty Rice
Fresh vegetable-laden rice sauteed with Creole spices