🌶️ Sizzling Events & Zesty Za'atar: Your Vegan Newsletter is Here!

Welcome to this week's vibrant edition of our newsletter!

We're excited to bring you a mix of local events, global plant-based news, and a special spotlight on the Middle Eastern spice blend, za'atar.

From vegan meetups to cultural food festivals, we've got your social calendar covered. Plus, discover the pitfalls and potentials of AI in meal planning, explore vegan Caribbean cuisine, and learn about an inspiring hospital chef challenge.

To top it off, we're featuring a delicious Za'atar Chickpea Vegan Buddha Bowl recipe that perfectly complements our za'atar feature. Let's dive into a week filled with flavor, community, and plant-powered goodness!

Events for the upcoming week

• On Friday 30th of August, DFW Veggie Lovers meet at Community Beer Company from 7-10pm. Details can be found here.

• On Sunday September 1st Elite Experience Events Cultural Organization brings to us Texas Food Fest in Dallas, which includes vegan food options. The event takes place from 12-6pm at Lofty Spaces 816 Montgomery Street Dallas, TX 75215. Tickets and more details here.

• Thursday September 5th, Food Saved Me institute will be hosting a nutrition & cooking class on Nutrition for Ovarian Cancer Prevention & Survival from 6:30-8:30pm at 2354 East State Highway 114 Southlake, TX 76092. Registration and details can be found here.

Plant based news

• Living in the south has some advantages, one of them in proximity to the Caribbean, and direct flights to most places in the region (thanks for American Airlines). if you do, VegNews has put together a list of awesome places where you can find vegan food. Read more here

• In the age of AI, we are relying more and more on applications like ChatGPT for information and help. One such use would be to ask the chat bots for food/recipe or meal plan recommendation. This article from vegconomics talks about the pitfalls of relying on the technology completely. As they have mentioned at the bottom of the article, use “AI as inspiration, not a replacement”.

• Healthy Hospital Chef Challenge in Washington DC was an interesting event I read about this week. this is a competition where chefs compete to cook healthy meals for hospital patients.

• Interesting article on how to make vegan version of baked goods.

Sprinkle, Dip, Roast: Unleashing the Culinary Magic of Za'atar

Za'atar, the aromatic spice blend that's been tantalizing taste buds for centuries, is more than just a seasoning - it's a culinary adventure wrapped in Middle Eastern mystique. This versatile mix of herbs, sumac, and toasted sesame seeds has a history as rich as its flavor, from gracing the tomb of King Tutankhamun to being the subject of closely guarded family secrets. Whether you're sprinkling it on flatbread, using it as a zesty meat rub, or giving your popcorn an exotic twist, za'atar proves that sometimes, the simplest ingredients create the most complex and irresistible flavors. And with potential health benefits to boot, this ancient spice blend might just be the secret ingredient your kitchen's been missing.

You can read the original article here.

Recipe of the week

Za’atar Chickpea Vegan Buddha Bowl

Since our main article this week is about Za’tar, Why not have a recipe that uses this spice? So here is a recipe for a chickpea Buddha bowl.

This vegan Buddha bowl combines Moroccan and Mediterranean flavors in a nutritious and flavorful meal. Key components include:

1. Mediterranean couscous seasoned with olive oil, lemon juice, and herbs

2. Roasted chickpeas and cauliflower coated in za'atar seasoning

3. Fresh vegetables: cherry tomatoes, cucumber, and red onion

4. Lemon tahini dressing

The dish is easy to prepare, taking about 40 minutes total (10 minutes prep, 30 minutes cooking). It's suitable for lunch, meal prep, or as a salad. The recipe serves 4 and is rich in plant-based proteins, fiber, and healthy fats.