Discover the Best Vegetarian Cooking Classes in NYC
Vegetarianism is a diet that avoids the consumption of meat, poultry, and seafood. This diet has been around for centuries and is recommended by major religions like Hinduism and Buddhism. Many vegetarians choose to abstain from eating animals for moral reasons. This was one of the prominent justifications for vegetarianism until more recently. As health science advanced in the 20th century, it became noticeable that a vegetarian diet can provide health benefits.
The number of vegetarians in the US and worldwide has been steadily growing. With this growth popular restaurants, fast-food chains, and grocery stores have begun to offer vegetarian alternatives to meat-based meals. Although many popular vegetarian dishes use plenty of fruits and vegetables, there has also been an increase in the production and consumption of meat alternatives and plant-based meats. These plant-based meat alternatives have even become popular among non-vegetarians, as concerns over the environmental impacts of the meat industry have increased among the general public.
New York City is known for the diversity of its food, earning itself the moniker “Food Capital of the World.” Included among menus at popular restaurants in the city are vegetarian, vegan, and fully plant-based options. All these options can seem overwhelming when you’re looking for something to eat, especially if you’re unfamiliar with vegetarian food. Luckily there are plenty of vegetarian recipes that even the newest cooks can try out.
Why You Should Learn Vegetarian Cooking in NYC
Detractors of vegetarianism prompted health scientists to look further into the effects of vegetarianism on the body. Findings showed that a vegetarian diet can improve your health in several key areas as long as what you consume follows recommended nutritional guidelines.
Vegetarian meals tend to be lower in saturated fat and cholesterol than meat-based meals. High consumption of saturated fat and cholesterol has been linked to an increased risk of heart disease and the chance of experiencing a cardiac event like a heart attack. Vegetarian meals that incorporate plenty of vegetables and legumes are not only lower in saturated fat and cholesterol but can lower your LDL cholesterol (“bad” cholesterol) levels and increase your HDL cholesterol (“good” cholesterol). This is thanks to the high levels of soluble fiber present in many vegetables and legumes, which removes LDL cholesterol from the body.
Cooking allows you to explore your creativity. When you choose to cook something without a recipe or tweak aspects of the recipe you’re using, you're experimenting and engaging in creativity. Cooking also lowers stress levels. The attention to detail and focus that’s required when cooking takes your mind off external stressors and allows you to focus on the food you’re making.
In-Person Vegetarian Cooking Classes & Schools in NYC
There are in-person vegetarian cooking classes taught around New York City that you can sign-up for now. In-person classes are one of the best ways to get hands-on cooking experience. These classes are taught by professional chefs and expert instructors that will provide you with an in-depth demonstration as you follow along and cook vegetarian dishes. They can answer any questions you have and give you cooking tips. Cooking classes are also very social events and will allow you to meet and mingle with other adults that have an interest in vegetarian cooking.
If you’d like to get right into making vegetarian meals, check out Home Cooking New York’s class Vegetarian Suppers for Everyone. Located in SoHo, this cooking school offers vegetarian cooking classes for cooks of all skill levels. In this class, you’ll follow along with your instructor as they demonstrate how to cook four different vegetarian dinners. This class also focuses on fundamental aspects of cooking, like how to properly use knives and prepare ingredients for cooking.
Home Cooking New York also hosts a DIY sushi and dumpling-making class. Participants will make sushi and dumplings filled with both meat and seafood as well as vegetables. This is a hands-on demonstration-style class, so you'll be situated at the worktable with a cutting board alongside other participants while following along with the chef teaching the class. The class culminates in a sit-down meal and is BYOB if you’re over the age of 21.
Many vegetarian classes offered in NYC center around vegetarian Indian dishes. It’s estimated that nearly 40% of India’s population is vegetarian to some degree, so there are plenty of meatless Indian meals you can make if you’re looking to try out vegetarian food. If you’re looking to take a vegetarian cooking class that focuses on Indian food, Mukti’s Kitchen in Brooklyn offers the class Healthy Indian Vegetarian Dinner. In this class, you’ll learn all about spices that are common in Indian food, that give it such impactful flavors.
Mukti’s Kitchen also offers a breakfast and brunch cooking class. You’ll follow along with your instructor as you and other participants make five vegetarian Indian dishes and snacks that are eaten during breakfast or brunch. At the end of the class, you’ll get the chance to socialize with everyone as you enjoy a sit-down meal together.
Virtual Vegetarian Cooking Classes & Schools
In-person classes are a good learning option if you’re looking for one-on-one feedback and the chance to socialize with others. However, in-person vegetarian cooking classes may not be available in your area, or they may not be scheduled at a time when you can attend. Virtual vegetarian cooking classes are a popular alternative to in-person classes.
Virtual classes can be taken from your kitchen, as you follow along with your remote instructor through an online video platform. If you’re planning to take a virtual vegetarian cooking class, make sure that you check out the class shopping list ahead of time. When taking virtual classes, you’ll be responsible for sourcing some if not all ingredients, as well as cookware and utensils. You can check out currently offered online vegetarian cooking classes on CourseHorse.
Home Cooking New York is offering a remote class where you will cook Persian food. In the course, Persian Dinner, cooks of all skill levels will learn how to make three popular Persian dishes. The instructor has recommended ingredient substitutions if you’d like all three meals to be vegetarian.
Food Craft offers an online Vegetarian Sushi Rolling class for anyone looking to learn how to make vegetarian sushi rolls. During this one-hour class, you’ll be led by an expert instructor through the process of sushi-making. This includes learning how to season your sushi rice, prepare your fillings, roll, and slice your sushi. Once you’ve signed up for the class, a kit will be sent to you including many of the dry ingredients you’ll need for the class. You’ll be responsible for supplying several ingredients and utensils, like cucumbers, bowls, and a pot.
If you’re interested in exploring vegan dishes, you can get started with vegan baking. Vegan diets exclude both animal and animal by-products like dairy and eggs. Food Craft’s virtual chocolate truffle-making class will have you creating three chocolate truffle varieties, two of which are vegan. However, if you opt to alter the honey fig truffle, all three will be vegan.
Private Group Vegetarian Cooking Classes in NYC
Are you looking to book a private group vegetarian cooking class? Perhaps you and a group of friends are interested in exploring healthy vegetarian cooking? Or maybe your business is looking for a team-building activity to sign up for. No matter your group’s dynamics, CourseHorse can deliver private group vegetarian cooking classes to you remotely.
In their virtual Sushi Making Workshop, you and your group will learn the basics of making sushi. An instructor will walk you through seasoning your sushi rice, filling your rolls, and cutting them. You’ll also receive instructions on basic knife cuts and fish basics. Each member of your group will be provided with a kit that includes a bamboo rolling mat, chopsticks, and several ingredients. You’ll also be sent a gift card to cover the cost of other ingredients like vegetable fillings and seafood fillings for anyone who’s not planning to make vegetarian rolls.
CourseHorse also offers private classes that are perfect for happy hour. In their Guacamole and Margaritas workshop, you and a group of friends or coworkers will learn how to make the perfect guacamole before preparing yourselves a margarita. A professional chef will guide you and a group of up to 100 through this virtual workshop which is open to anyone over the age of 21.
CourseHorse offers a wide variety of private group cooking classes. Many of these are vegetarian-friendly classes, where you’ll either make fully vegetarian dishes or substitute ingredients to make your dish vegetarian. If you and your group are looking to take a private class that’s focused on vegetarian cooking, reach out to CourseHorse through the contact form on their website. They’ll work with you and your group to determine what class they can offer you that best fits your needs and interests.
CourseHorse will ask you for a headcount when you book a private class with them. If you’re unsure of your group’s size at the time of booking, you can provide them with the minimum group size and give them a final headcount when you know it. CourseHorse also offers 20-minute demos of classes for a fee of $100 if you’re unsure of whether your group would enjoy the class.
When booking with CourseHorse, you won’t have to pay a booking fee. You can also cancel your class for free up to two weeks beforehand if your group can no longer attend. CourseHorse accommodates a range of group sizes as well as online video platforms. You can opt to take your class over Zoom, Microsoft Teams, Google Meets, or WebEx, although they recommend using Zoom.
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