Walnut ‘meat’ stars in plant-based cooking class at the Main Haus

Sonya Bernhardt hosted the first P.R.E.T.T.Y. Girl Fitness plant-based cooking party at the Main Haus on Sunday, September 29.

The event, which saw a turnout of more than 25 ladies, featured a unique blend of plantbased pizza, salad, and a surprise plant-based dessert. And of course, there was the signature touch of lagniappe--a little something extra--in the mix.

I taught the participants how to make my special Super 7 salad comprising Green Leaf lettuce, plum tomatoes, red onion, avocado, pickled cucumbers, seeds, and nutritional yeast.

The breakout star that stole the show was the walnut ‘meat.’ Participants learned how to make a version of ground beef with soaked walnuts placed into a food processor along with tomato paste, sundried tomatoes, garlic, and a variety of dry seasoning to mimic the taste of beef seasoning.

After adding the seasonings, we pulsed the walnuts until we got the desired texture. Almost everyone preferred the walnut ‘meat’ over the processed mock ‘beef ’ crumbles.

In addition, Tricia Berngen came to the rescue by demonstrating how to make homemade sourdough pizza crust. While waiting for the pizza to bake, the ladies sampled homemade hemp seed milk and homemade vegan peanut butter cups made with rice milk chocolate chips. Yes, we ate the dessert before the main meal because that is perfectly acceptable in a room full of hungry women.

P.R.E.T.T.Y. Girl Fitness is offering plantbased cooking parties for a small fee to cover the cost of the food. If you’re interested in hosting a party at your place or mine, contact me via coach@pgf.life or complete the contact form on the website: www.pgf.life.