Celebrating Hug A Vegetarian Day With Chef Mel

‘The Happy Chef,’ aka Chef Mel Alafaci, has made her name by making everyday foods fun and

sexy to make, eat, and see. This September, she’s turning her playful eye to vegetarians and

presents a seductive meat-free recipe that anyone can make at home.

In honor of ‘Hug a Vegetarian Day’ on September 23, Chef Mel decided to explain and share

one of her favorite plant-based dishes — one she wears is as sexy as her meaty marvels and

charming cheese plates.

The vegetarian day was founded with the help of the non-profit PETA to uplift and celebrate

people living a meat-free life.

In decades past, it wasn’t always easy to find delicious vegetarian options in restaurants or while

on the go. And most home cooking recipes were based on health factors rather than delight and

deliciousness.

“Vegetarianism and plant-based living become more popular every year, and I’m here for it,”

said Chef Mel, “There’s absolutely no reason why meat- and animal product-free cooking can’t

be just as sexy as a Chateaubriand or an oyster plate.”

Though The Happy Chef has only recently penetrated the US market, she’s developed a strong

reputation in the international cooking scene. Her first cookbook Culinary Quickies won the

prestigious International Book Award, and she is hard at work penning her second title.

Additionally, she owns a well-known cooking school and restaurant in Australia, Vanilla Zulu

Culinary Adventures, which serves over 300 guests weekly. It also teaches students several

cuisines and counts six chefs and 14 assistants among its staff.

As if these accomplishments weren’t enough, she’s also a rising star among YouTube’s cooking

channels and hosts pop-up events worldwide.

What fans love most about her dishes, style, and approach is that it’s casual, sensual, and

carefree. She smiles often, laughs while cooking, shares stellar shortcuts, and swears that the most straightforward food can make the most memorable meal when plated and presented with

feeling.

Her signature ‘Vegan Tour of Pleasure’ is true to form. It’s a delicious recipe, explained well,

and is accessible whether you are a professional chef or a total klutz in the kitchen.

“To create the perfect Vegan Tower of Pleasure, you need some amazing roast veggies of your

choice, some sexy chickpeas, a stacking ring, and pure raw talent. No, I’m kidding!” she said

with a laugh, “It’s super easy; just follow my lead.”

She suggests that you start by cutting up your veggies — she likes sliced eggplant, diced

pumpkin or sweet potato, cauliflower florets, carrot roundels, and snapped asparagus — and

placing them, along with a can of drained chickpeas — on a greased roasting tray.

If you want a more Italian or Mediterranean flavor, a combination of bell peppers, onions,

zucchini, baby tomatoes, and mushrooms is also delicious.

Sprinkle the mixture with olive oil and the seasoning of your choice — she loves to use her Chef

Mel Culinary Spray Tan Ras el Hanout or her Dried Porcini Mushroom Dust — and roast them

hot and fast at 420f degrees (farenhieght) for 12- 15 minutes until the veggies are brown and delicious.

Pro tip: the smaller you cut the veggies, the faster they will roast, she advises those who might be

trying to get their pleasure to the table quickly.

Once the veggies have cooled, start stacking them to create a tower, beginning with the largest

and flattest item, such as an eggplant disc. If you have a stacking ring, you can use that to give

your tower more integrity and support. But if you don’t have a ring, no problem. Chef Mel

suggests using an empty, clean plastic peanut butter jar.

To go the jar route, you’ll have to cut the bottom off the jar with a bread knife since you need

access to the top of the stack as you work. After every layer of vegetables, use the back of a

spoon to pack the veggies down, pushing them into each section of the stack, creating a perfect

cylinder.

Once complete, remove the ring and behold your perfectly shaped stack. Top with micro herbs or

sweet potato fries for crunch, and serve this dramatic-looking dish to your favorite vegetarian

with a hug to show your support for their food choices.

With recipes as easy and fun as this, we’ll be sure to follow Chef Mel for more delicious ideas!