[ad_1]
Emirates has seen a 154% increase in vegetarian meals served on board from 2021 to 2022, with more than 280,000 plant-based meals eaten last year.
Emirates currently offers more than 180 recipes to cater to vegan passengers or those looking for a healthy meal on board, and has been offering vegan meals since the 1990s. Initially, vegan requests were focused on specific routes, such as Addis Ababa, where those of the Ethiopian Orthodox faith required vegan meals at certain times of the year, or in the Indian subcontinent, where multiple faiths encouraged plant-based diet. However, vegetarian dishes have exploded in popularity in recent years on US, Australia, some European and UK routes, with Emirates noticing a significant increase in interest in vegetarian dishes over the past decade. Routes that have recently shown increasing interest in vegetarian meals include Beirut, Cairo and Taiwan.
Some of the most popular vegan meals in economy class right now include creamed spinach and avocado mousse with marinated tofu, blanched snow peas, radishes, asparagus, pomegranate seeds, zucchini ribbons and Sriracha oil; colorful quinoa with juicy caramelized pears and celeriac puree, roasted cauliflower, candied carrots, sautéed kale, and lovage pesto; and hearty barley risotto with mushrooms, sun-dried tomatoes, buttered chestnuts, blanched broccoli, and toasted pumpkin seeds.
In 2022, First and Business Class will also introduce a new vegan gourmet menu, including chef-created dishes such as pan-roasted king oyster mushrooms, jackfruit biryani, sliced ​​kohlrabi and burnt orange, and chocolate truffle cake with hazelnuts , pistachio and gold leaf and green grape tart with candied rose petals, vanilla custard and berry compote, sparkling with yuzu pearls. Notably, all travel categories are offering more than 195,000 vegan desserts by 2022, including tempting options such as dark chocolate custard cake with fresh and juicy strawberries, refreshing lemon tart lightly garnished Coconut cream, and rich chocolate curd cheesecake with strawberry compote for dessert.
Vegetarian options are available to order and pre-order onboard and in Emirates lounges. Passengers can request a vegetarian meal within 24 hours of departure on all Emirates flights and travel in all classes of travel. However, on high-demand routes, plant-based meals are also offered as part of the main menu options.
UAE invests in vegan cuisine
Already voted unanimously the best airline for vegan travelers by a number of dedicated sites including VegNews, Emirates is investing in the development of new first and business class vegetarian menus in 2022 to match the acclaimed restaurant competition. It spent a year developing Emirates Airline Catering, a massive facility at Dubai International Airport that employs 11,000 people and serves up to 225,000 meals a day, the largest airline catering facility in the world, with 69 International chefs from different countries.
A team of experienced Emirates in-flight catering chefs work closely with nutritionists to identify ingredients from existing favorites that can be adapted to vegetarian dishes without compromising flavour. They also focus on fusing flavors and ingredients from around the world to create a menu that will appeal to all passengers across the network, not just vegan customers. The menu is the focus of multiple presentations and tastings, with contributions from diverse culinary experts including Chinese, Indian and Arabic specialty chefs, creating a wide range of flavors and textures. Tasting panels include vegetarian and non-vegetarian chefs as well as team members to ensure an inclusive approach.
The importance of high-quality healthy ingredients
Health-conscious customers are increasingly interested in the benefits of plant-powered options, and they may not define themselves as vegetarians, but occasionally opt for lighter options to complement their lifestyles. Alternatives used on board Emirates include items such as artisanal vegan cheeses and chickpea flour instead of white flour, which is gluten-free and naturally aerates dishes like crepes and omelettes, giving them a delicious presentation. Irresistible fluffy texture.
Using coconut or plant-based cream instead of whole cream, coconut butter or margarine instead of milk butter, and coconut and flaxseed oils as healthier alternatives to vegetable oils have the benefit of infusing dishes with extra flavor and high smoke point. The dishes also contain an array of superfoods, including antioxidant-rich black and white quinoa seeds, which help lower cholesterol and blood sugar levels, reducing the risk of diabetes and heart disease. The new vegetarian menu in First and Business Class offers a unique Coca-Cola made with plant-based products from the world-renowned Beyond Meat Company. The vegan dessert is made with organic dark chocolate with 60% of the raw cocoa ingredients coming from the Dominican Republic.
Vegetarian options on board Emirates include an abundance of greens, fruits and vegetables sourced from a number of UAE suppliers, including locally grown fresh kale and lettuce from Bustanica. Bustanica is the world’s largest hydroponic vertical farm, a $40 million joint venture with Emirates Flight Catering. Bustanica’s produce is grown without pesticides, herbicides or chemicals, and First and Business Class passengers can enjoy farm-fresh leafy greens in some dishes, including lettuce, arugula, mixed salad greens and spinach.
Maximize the Flavor of Vegan Dishes
Emirates’ award-winning culinary team ensures that the vegetable flavors in the dishes are maximized through the artful use of texture and dipping to create an essential umami effect. Jackfruit, a fibrous tree fruit from southwestern India, is used as a focal point in some vegetarian dishes for its succulent texture when cooked. Kohlrabi is a Nordic cross between cabbage and turnip, with a mild flavor that absorbs its flavors when pickled or cooked – a very effective addition to vegetarian dishes.
Other core ingredients that provide a delicious meal include unrivaled tofu, cauliflower steak, and a variety of nuts and beans. Emphasizing freshness, vibrancy and filling, Emirates’ vegan menu showcases a tantalizing array of colorful and healthy options, including heirloom cherry tomato tofu with edamame and toasted sesame seeds, thyme mushroom ragout, and fresh Hass avocado and mango salad Timbale, or kale and cranberry salad on a bed of roasted sweet potatoes.
To ensure delicious and healthy dishes are also pleasing to the eye, vegan meals are garnished with farm-fresh herbs, berries and colorful juices, while some new vegan desserts are adorned with thin real gold leaf. – trade arab news agency
[ad_2]
Source link