Will 2021 be the year that plant-based eating finally goes mainstream? With 58% of Saudi Arabians saying they try to eat plant-based foods and 55% saying they believe that plant-based food is better for their health, the answer may just be ‘yes’. As more and more people across the region choose to integrate plant-based eating into their diet, this Ramadan we are set to see a far higher number of people laying plant based, or semi plant based, tables to break the fast. As the rate of plant-based eating increases, brands and the media re stepping up to meet the demand and offer shoppers more inspiration and recipes to prepare their menus this Holy month. Flora Plant, which is now available across the UAE and KSA, and offers a plant-based butter and cream, is doing exactly this with a brand-new show on Mazaj.
With a tasty, natural 100% Plant based recipe Flora Plant offers an allergen free, dairy free alternative to home cooks and bakers and is proud to be bringing a fresh perspective to Ramadan cooking shows this year. The brand is also pledging to support consumers to move to plant-based eating this Ramadan by offering free samples in stores where you can collect a free trial pack at Carrefour, Panda, Lulu or Spinneys.
Beginning in early April, Flora Plant, owned by the world’s largest plant-based consumer products company Upfield, is partnering with Mazaj to launch three exclusively plant-based episodes of their upcoming show ‘Cooking Tales’ which also features their innovative VioLife Cheese. Featuring the well-loved queen of Arabian Cooking, Chef Manal Al Alem and influencer host Ahmed Al Nasheet, the show will offer tasty plant-based recipe twists on well-loved Iftar recipes. Each show will introduce a top millennial influencer to the screen, bringing a high energy and entertaining flair, as they test out the new dishes alongside Manal. Together they will prove their skills in taking dishes like Kunafa, Fatayer and Date Tart and turning them into dairy and meat-free showstoppers for their families table’s this year. Ragha Fahmi, Layla Akil and Rawan & Rayan Fahmi will all have their own feature moments as they take on the challenge and prove that plant-based alternatives are not only healthy and sustainably sound, but that they are as delicious and dynamic as their meat and dairy counterparts.
Vegan dates tart (recipe by Chef Manal)
- 2 cups almond flour
- 1 cup pistachio, finely grounded
- 1 tsp cardamom
- ½ tsp orange zest
- Pinch of salt
- 3 tbsp carob molasses ( optional)
- ½ tsp orange blossom water
- 75 gm Flora Plant Butter
FOR THE FILLING:
- 1 cup pitted dates to make paste
- 1 cup Flora Plant Cream
- ½ tsp orange blossom water
- 1 ½ tbsp cornstarch
- Pinch of salt
FOR THE GARNISH:
- Some grounded pistachio
- Whole pistachio
- Almond flakes
- Dates
Viewers can expect a host of recipe inspiration, top cooking tips and new recipe ideas for a healthy and sustainable twist on your Iftar this year! Tune in via Mazaj on 3rd April or via Flora Plants Facebook and YouTube pages from 17th April.