Pictured Above: Culinary students Saul A. Hernandez and Meredith Luecker about to deliver their Vegetarian Mini Sliders to their guests.
On February 16, 2010, a group of ten Johnson & Wales culinary students in Chef Elaine Cwynar's class, Vegetarian Cuisine, took on the assignment to prepare a lacto ovo dinner (a vegetarian meal that includes dairy and eggs) for six, using high-quality food presented attractively on the plate.
The menu was to comply with the following parameters: calories between 800 and 1000; protein, 10-35%; fat: 20-35%, with less than 10% saturated fat; carbohydrates, 45-65%.
The students - Jennifer Danaux, Lei Ding, Justin M. Hall, Saul A. Hernandez, Hannah Kimanthi, Stephanie Lip, Meredith Luecker, Ashley R. McCormack, Jacquelyn R. Murphy and Kaitlin M. Russell - came up with the concept of a diner theme, using whole grains and fresh, sustainable and seasonal ingredients in all the dishes.
The Culinary Arts Museum, with its diner exhibit and vast supply of artifacts, supplied authentic mugs, glassware, paper placemats, napkin holders and more to set the stage for an outstanding meal:
BEVERAGE
Cucumber Lemonade
Fresh, crisp ice-cold lemonade with cucumber juice
APPETIZER
Vegetarian Mini Sliders
Black bean and chickpea patties topped with slices of tomato and red onion and arugula, in a toasted whole grain bun, served with avocado sauce
SOUP
Tomato Soup with Popcorn Parmesan Crisp
Fresh ripe tomatoes, stewed, simmered and pureed, served with an arugula emulsion
SALAD
Potato Slaw
Shredded potato and carrots, tossed with sprouts and herbs, served with an arugula emulsion
ENTREE
Fried "Chicken"
Crispy oven-baked seasoned tofu, breaded in nuts, seeds and oats
WHOLE GRAIN
Wild Rice Pilaf
A trio of brown rice, wild rice and barley, simmered in vegetable stock, white wine and herbs
VEGETABLES
Pea Puree and Sauteed Baby Carrots
A smooth and creamy puree of green peas and cream; Sweet baby carrots sauteed with butter and fresh herbs
DESSERT
Cherry-Apricot Yogurt Sundae
Poached dried apricots tossed with fresh cherries, served with sweetened Greek yogurt
