No stranger to boar sausage, or to a finely braised veal shank, Mario Batali however isn't the first name that pops to mind when you think about vegetables. And that's what's so interesting about his decision to embrace Meatless Monday in all of his 14 restaurants across the country.
"The fact is, most people in the U.S. eat way more meat than is good for them or the planet," maintains Batali. "Asking everyone to go vegetarian or vegan isn't a realistic or attainable goal. But we can focus on a more plant-based diet, and support the farmers who raise their animals humanely and sustainably. That's why I'm such a big believer in the Meatless Monday movement."
Meatless Monday is all about incorporating more vegetables into our diet. It's about moderation, just one day a week, trying new plant-based recipes and sampling delicious ways to bring more veggies into our lives.
And it's catching on. Batali is joining early adopters, political leaders and celebrities such as Michael Pollan, Al Gore, Sir Paul McCartney, Simon Cowell and Gwyneth Paltrow; the entire Baltimore Public School System, nearly 30 college campuses and 100 blogs; and 8 international programs spanning Brazil to Taiwan.
"We're delighted that Maestro Mario is helping to move the movement," declares Sid Lerner, founder and chairman of Meatless Monday, an initiative of The Monday Campaigns. "If anybody can entice meat lovers to enjoy their veggies as well, it's Batali!"
So how's Mario going to do it? Every Monday every one of his 14 restaurants will serve at least two vegetarian options, whether entrees or pastas or pizzas. In addition, many of the restaurants will designate these dishes as Meatless Monday options, using Mario's new MM logo (below). With this simple gesture, Mario will send a powerful message to other chefs and restauranteurs that we can all start the week right by eating our veggies.
Stay tuned to Huffington Post Food because later this week Elizabeth Meltz, Mario's sustainability director, will post descriptions and photos of the actual Meatless Monday dishes created by his chefs for today's launch...
Follow Chris Elam on Twitter: www.twitter.com/MeatlessMonday
Ellen Kanner: Meatless Monday: The Gulf Without Seafood
In keeping with the seafood ban, here's a classic composed salad as chic as anything you'd find on the Riviera, sans tuna and anchovies. Serve room temperature or chilled.
Yes vegetarians/vegans tend to be militant. Your consumption of animals kills. Its simply that. Visit a slaughter house see if you can handle where your food comes from.
Every restaurant should serve at least 2 _interesting_ vegetarian/vegan meals every day. If you [cook] it well, they will come.
One of my local all-vegan restaurants is very popular, and the staff tells me that only about 50% of the patrons are actuall veg*ns. And, I hear that Candle 79 in NYC [which I'm dying to visit], for example, is a proverbial hotspot for even the carnivores (/omnivores).
In Batali's case, I think that committing to give up meat scarfs would have been more substantive.
If you want to watch something truly outstandingly odd, watch his episode of "Iconoclast" with his buddy Michael Stipe, wait , WHA?
All that says to me is that, on an average Tuesday thru Sunday, his restaurants probably do not offer 2 vegetarian options.
I wonder if Mario himself is going meatless on mondays... inquiring minds want to know.
this condition is at epidemic levels and continues to affect nearly 100% of those exposed. the symptoms of this affliction usually present immediately after a substantial meal, most notably on a friday or saturday night and in conjunction with drowsiness and intensified with alcohol.
usually a patient will experience a sense of complete satisfaction, bordering on profound euphoric contentment all over the body centering in the enlarged stomach. there will be noticeable lift in the corners of the mouth and substantial relaxation of the lower extremities. the teeth will show some discoloration and need a picking procedure to remove the remaining toxin.
treatment may require the use of some form of pie, cake, or ice cream type substance depending upon the patient.
What a truly glorious thought...