"What DO you eat??"

I was watching the new cooking show last night that has Anthony Bordain on it, the title of the show escapes me at the moment and yes, I am too lazy to google it right now. Basically it is another competitive cook off like many other shows, but I found last nights episode interesting because one of the contestants was a vegetarian.

Maybe it's because I have lived in a vegetarian household for the last 32 years and it all seems so normal to me, but I was once again blown away by the reaction of one of the guest judges when he found out one of the cooks did not eat meat. "You don't eat ANY meat?" He asked this incredulously, as if the woman said she never wears cloths......or she likes hanging around radioactive material on weekends.

This guy is a chef. It surprised me that he found this so odd. Does he realize there are vegetarian restaurants that make a killing serving only good food that doesn't have meat in it?  If he would just google "vegetarian restaurants" and then insert the city of his choice he would be amazed at how normal this woman is these days. On a recent 10 day trip through the south of France we had NO DIFFICULTY finding good vegetarian friendly places to eat. 

I bring this up because I OFTEN get the same reaction that this vegetarian chef got last night. Usually the question that follows is, " Well, what DO you eat?" ( as if I graze pastures like a cow for my meals)

Well, Mr. Chef, here's whats been on my table the last couple of days.

"Dragon Pasta"

 Black Rice pasta with a tangy Asian peanut sauce

topped with bean sprouts

and barbecued seitan with Kale.

Tomato and mozzarella pizza. 

 Fresh tomato and mozzarella pizza

with pesto, capers and a drizzle of 

balsamic vinegar  on a chewy crust.

Stir fry tofu

Braised tofu on a bed of rice

smothered in a vegetable stir fry. 

Maybe my wife should invite said chef over to the house.

She could teach him a thing or two.