Who says being vegan has to be boring? While still very much a carnivore myself, my youngest son has decided that he wants no part of any sort of meat. I thought it was whimsical at first since he’s only ten, but it’s been a few months now and he seems to be holding firm in his meatless convictions, and that tends to make cooking for him difficult.
Like me, there are so many foods he doesn’t like, but it was starting to wear me down because I want to prepare hearty meals that will fill him up. But he turns his nose up to EVERYTHING.
Recently, I was sharing my frustrations with Chantice Butterfield of Asali Catering, who specialises in preparing vegan meals and desserts. She suggested I try making him sweet potatoe and black beans burgers. She promised me she would send a video showing me how to make them. I figured the video would be like the ones I’ve sent in the past that I knew wouldn’t see the light of day, Just to the point, follow the instructions. Bang, you’re done. But instead it was a whole mini production. I loved watching it more than I loved making the burgers (which he didn’t touch!).
Chantice took a few minutes out of her busy schedule to share what inspired her to create her catering company.
“In September 2019, my two-week old baby was covered in eczema. I was not sure where it stemmed from or why she had such a skin condition, but I couldn’t handle seeing her like that, so I went seeking answers.
“Just under a month later, I learned that she was having allergic reactions to foods I was eating, so it was very important that I change my diet.”
The mother of three says she immediately removed animal and dairy products out of her diet, and as soon as she did, her daughter’s skin started to clear up and has been clear ever since.
“I have always enjoyed cooking and while I thought creating new meals would be hard, it came to me like second nature. I enrolled in a few vegan cooking courses and received two certificates which helped me to understand vegan and plant-based lifestyles.”
While she says she was enjoying making new meals, it was her seven-year-old son who suggested that she should cook for others.
“I thought it was too soon to talk about starting a business , but I had so many ideas that I figured why not. I decided to write down all my ideas and my vision came to life.
“On March 13, 2020, we officially registered Asali Catering where we received a 5 Star food hygiene rating with the Stafford Borough Council.”
Along with providing vegan baked goods and meals, Asali Catering also provides meal preps, cold-pressed vegetable and fruit juices and frozen vegan Jamaican patties that clients can bake at home. Asali Catering also offers gluten free and refined sugar-free options. Along with offering local deliveries in Stafford and neighbouring areas, deliveries are available in Birmingham each Thursday.
Starting today, Asali Catering and SheHub are launching an Instagram series where Chantice will demonstrate how to make easy, delicious vegan meals for the family to enjoy.
Today’s meal is Garlic Herb Chick Peas in a butter sauce.
Ingredients:
1 can of chickpeas, rinsed and drained
3 cloves fresh garlic
Fresh rosemary and thyme
1 tbsp vegan butter
1 tsp garlic pepper, or whatever seasonings you prefer.
1 tbsp grapeseed oil
2 tbsp of vegetable bouillon powder
1 cup water
Broccoli
Instructions:
1. Add chopped garlic , rosemary , thyme and seasonings to chickpeas. Add to skillet and fry for 5 minutes.
2. Mix 2 table spoons bouillon powder and 1 cup water, then add vegetable bouillon and butter to chickpeas and simmer for 15-20 minutes.
3. Add cooked broccoli ,coat broccoli In the sauce
4. Pair with Basmati rice and enjoy!
Visit http://www.instagram.com/shehubtv/ to see instructional video.
Follow Asali Catering on Facebook and Twitter or visit http://www.asalicatering.co.uk