Monday, February 2, 2026

A Chef's Culinary Journey!

 

Savory Plant-Based Ragu over 
Crispy Polenta Squares

 

Beyond its surface simplicity, Mediterranean cuisine is a timeless and thrilling paradox of rustic charm and polished elegance. Forged over thousands of years, this vibrant tradition is a direct conversation with the sun-drenched landscape, where the bounty of each season dictates the palate.

 

My culinary journey began not in a kitchen, but in the garden. From childhood, I was captivated by the raw, vibrant power of the earth’s bounty, learning to taste the sunshine in a perfectly ripe tomato and smell the richness of high-quality olive oil. This simple, true reverence for fresh ingredients became the bedrock of my culinary soul.

 

Now, as a chef, I honor that foundation with refined technique and a rebellious spirit. I fearlessly fuse classic French precision with hearty Italian tradition, lovingly embrace the intertwining of Moroccan and Spanish cuisines —and my personal signature is the bold, savory punch of capers and olives — and why merely steam when you can unleash the rich, caramelized depth of fire-roasted vegetables.

 

From French Ragoût to Italian Ragù - A Culinary Evolution: Alberto Alvisi, chef to the Cardinal of Imola near Bologna, created the earliest documented ragù in the late 18th century, adapting it from the French ragoût. This Italian spin on the slow-cooked French stew was famously served with pasta and became a staple of Emilia-Romagna cuisine.

 

Post photo: Savory Plant-Based Ragu over Crispy Polenta Squares —a combination that is featured in my upcoming cookbook: Lemon, Love and Lavender.

 

Happy Cooking!

 

Chef Ellie Lavender
Plant-based Mediterranean Chef
Culinary & Wine Pairing Instructor
Event Caterer
Lavender Design + Cuisine

 Taste the World: 2026 Plant-Based Mediterranean Cooking & Wine Pairing Classes


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