One of the highlights of our time in Bordeaux was a cooking lesson with cookbook author Sarala Terpstra. An American expat who’s fluent in French, Sarala prepared a delightful vegetarian menu for us to cook together, including one of the tastiest versions of crème brûlée I’ve ever tried!
I’ll admit, I was skeptical before I tasted it. Crème brûlée is one of those desserts that seems fairly inseparable from cream and eggs. Yet somehow, with thoughtfully chosen plant-based ingredients and a bit of culinary chemistry, we ended up with the silky custard, delicate vanilla aroma, satisfying crack of caramelized sugar, and all the elegance of the classic dessert. Here’s the recipe:
Not only was this so simple to make, but firing the sugar top was a lot of fun!
If you’d like to try more of Sarala’s recipes, check out her cookbook: Vegan French Favorites: 30 Beloved French Recipes Reimagined. And if you ever find yourself in Bordeaux, reach out to Sarala for a cooking class or market tour! She has different options available on her website. You can also follow her work in France on Instagram.
Sometimes the best souvenirs from travel aren’t things you can pack in a suitcase. They’re recipes, conversations shared over a special meal, and new ways of experiencing familiar ingredients.
Have you ever had a vegan version of a classic dish that completely changed your expectations?
Yours in health, Dr. Quave
Cassandra L. Quave, Ph.D. is a Guggenheim Fellow, CNN Champion for Change, Fellow of the National Academy of Inventors, recipient of The National Academies Award for Excellence in Science Communication, and award-winning author of The Plant Hunter. Her day job is as Professor and Herbarium Director at Emory University, where she leads a group of research scientists studying medicinal plants to find new life-saving drugs from nature. She hosts the Foodie Pharmacology podcast and writes the Nature’s Pharmacy newsletter to share the science behind natural medicines. To support her effort, consider a paid or founding subscription to Nature’s Pharmacy or donation to her lab research.
Comments
Nothing yet. Say the first thing.
Sign in to join the conversation.