For Reals Meals hosted by Heather Sperling
Heather Sperling (of Tasting Table and Fête fame) and I have lots of mutual friends, and we’ve had some good times chatting it up at parties over the years. Recently, at one of those parties, I told her about One Part Plant. And without hesitation, her first reaction was, “how can I help?” It surprised me a little. Not that I didn’t think Heather was cool, but food is her THING. She’s one of the most knowledgeable people I have ever met on the subject. And sometimes when you creep into someone else’s passion-zone, they aren’t so keen on it. But not Heather.
Which left me thinking that she would be an awesome host to kick off my new series, For Reals Meals. A monthly, hosted, plant-based lunch, it’s the kind of meal that leaves you feeling good in the head and the belly. For the inaugural event, we invited old friends and new: Ardie Farhadieh (The Billions), Swathi Narra (Luxemi), Molly Each (Splash/2nd Story), and Ernest Wilkins (RedEye).
Heather surprised a few skeptical guests (who were probably expecting veggie burgers and boring salads) with a creative and just plain pretty lunch menu of beet chips and pumpkin seed salsa; shaved brussels sprouts with miso, roasted carrots, tomatillos, and garlic; curried chickpeas with spinach, apples, and quinoa; chia-coconut pudding with pomegranate, citrus, and mint; and mint tea. The girl can cook and everyone was oohing and ahhing after each bite.
Shaved brussels sprouts with miso & Roasted carrots, tomatillos, and garlic
Curried chickpeas, spinach, apples & quinoa
The food was great, but the conversation was just as awesome. We talked about everything from the guilt we feel when we don’t work through lunch to social media woes and more. The one thing we didn’t talk, however, was “shit.” It was refreshing to be at a table where gossip was replaced with goodness. I took away some really great nuggets of wisdom that day, and I know everyone else did too.
Ardie and Ernest getting for reals
Later this week, Heather is going to share her For Reals Meals dessert recipe – you’ll want to see it, it was the hit of the party. What would you make for a plant-based power lunch? Share your favorite dishes in the comments!
15 Comments
Suzanne Cummings
March 12, 2013Sounds and look fabulous. I want the recipes to ALL the dishes. Cookbook in the works by any chance ladies? Keep up the good work, xosc
Jessica
March 12, 2013Thanks Suzanne!
Heather’s dessert recipe is coming to you Thursday! It was unreal. She’s a wonder woman in the kitchen.
Johnny
March 12, 2013Tomatillo and roasted carrots. Duh and yes.
Chelsea
March 13, 2013I actually made this brussels sprouts recipe because I saw Heather post a picture of it on her Instagram. SO. GOOD. Just made my first chia seed pudding, too. Chia seeds, light coconut milk, vanilla and frozen organic mixed berries. Will definitely try these other recipes out.
Jessica
March 13, 2013No way! That is awesome. I am addicted to chia pudding. I could seriously eat everyday of my life.
Heather
March 14, 2013Chelsea, next time you make the chia seed pudding, try it with regular (full-fat) coconut milk…I think it’s exponentially more delicious! When I want a lighter (or more breakfasty) chia pudding, I like use low-fat, plain kefir.
Lethe
March 18, 2013Yes! This is exciting. Good food, CREATIVE food, no meat. Not that I don’t like the occasional lamb chop to gnaw on. And I do love my seafood. But for the most part, I prefer a plant-based diet. But unless I’m preparing it from scratch for myself, I’m faced with fake burgers, fake steak, even fake fish. And OMG, fake CHEESE? Why are vegan/vegetarian cooks obsessed with turning plants into something they are not? I don’t want to eat fake anything, which is one of the reasons I have been a one-and-done patron of the available vegie/vegan establishments in this town. You give me hope again, Heather!
Lethe
March 18, 2013Ooops, I meant Jessica! You give me hope JESSICA. Doh.
Jessica
March 18, 2013That’s ok, Heather was really the magic in the kitchen in this post! Thanks for the awesome comment and check back for more not-so-fake REAL recipes.
I want to know how to find recipes thanks leesa
June 14, 2013How do I find for reals meals ?
Jessica
June 14, 2013For Reals Meals is our monthly plant-based lunch series. We choose a host and they do the rest – from the menu planning, to the guest list, to the cooking! Later this year, we are going to start making them big events and will extend the invitation to anyone that wants to come. Sign up for our newsletter and we will let you know when the happens!
mayra
July 16, 2013I will love this I am allergic to milk, gluten intolerant and beans are not my friend. I am trying to do the vegan thing but they have too much tofu, which is beans, wheat and fake replacements. I want healthy easy recepies.
Jessica
July 17, 2013Mayra, I hear ya! I am not to into the fake substitutions and tofu either. Hopefully you can find lots of veg recipes here that help you. I try to make sure they are all gluten and dairy free…although you might see an occasional bean or two. Thanks for stopping by!
Alexis
September 30, 2013All of this looks so delicious… I can’t stop thinking about it.
Jessica
September 30, 2013It really was so delicious. Heather is a great chef! Thanks for checking it out.