Tuesday
Dec 02nd
Home 
Mexican Lifestyles Food & Dining El Jardin Converts Many A Local Carnivore
Mexican Lifestyles Food & Dining El Jardin Converts Many A Local Carnivore | El Jardin Converts Many A Local Carnivore |
|
|
| Written by JOY HEPP | |
| Saturday, 13 October 2007 | |
 'El Jardin, one of Guadalajara's more resilient vegetarian restaurants, can convince even Mexican food traditionalists to give veggie options a try with meaty-tasting, home-style options. ' - Photo By F. Sanchez "We're not cats, so why should we eat meat," his father would say. When their mother wasn't looking, Victor and his brother Felipe would toss their meat to the very happy dog. Now that Victor and Felipe are cooking their own food at a popular Guadalajara vegetarian restaurant, El Jardin, they leave meat out of all of their recipes. Instead, customers from as far as Ajijic make regular visits to sample foods like taquitos filled with mashed potatoes, tomatoes filled with soy tuna, and vegetarian chipotle albondigas. There are at least five vegetarian restaurants in Guadalajara but many others open and close in about as much time as it takes to cook a succotash. That makes El Jardin a real old-timer, with 16 years in business. Blancas says the secret is in the home style cooking. "Other places have more exotic foods like chop suey or Indian dishes," he says. "But everything we make here is like it would be in our own kitchen. All of the ingredients are from local markets." Another difference in El Jardin's cuisine is that they are able to achieve more "meatlike" foods by using a product called seitan or wheat gluten. Many restaurants rely solely on soy products, which can taste like salty thick Jell-O. Seitan is the protein extract of wheat and is often disregarded by vegetarians for being too "meaty." Blancas continued to live according to his father's "crazy" philosophy into his 20's. He didn't have anything to confirm his lifestyle until he came across a yoga book in 1985 that talked about the values of "clean living." Shortly after, he attended a yoga workshop that stressed abstaining from smoking and alcohol and has stuck by the teachings ever since. Looking at Vargas you can tell that his lifestyle has had an effect. It could just be good genes, but he's 50 years old and could pass for 30 something. "I'm happy with this life of vegetarianism," he says. "I am at peace." Over the years he has done his own research and has tried to put it to use in El Jardin's kitchen. The restaurant offers classes in vegetarian cooking every few months that are popular with customers who are trying to lower cholesterol, loose weight or adopt a healthier lifestyle. The next lesson will be in December and will focus on cooking Christmastime faire. Blancas' food and philosophy have converted many a carnivore. The restaurant is packed for the Saturday and Sunday lunch buffets. One of his best customers is his 83-year-old mother, who is now a devout vegetarian. El Jardin is located on La Paz 1558. Its open M-F from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. and weekends from 9 a.m. to 5p.m. For more information call 3825-6885. |
| < Prev | Next > |
|---|
This Week's Stories
Popular
Feature of the Week
Taking the ‘Happiness’ Express to Tequila
Photos of the Week
|
Copyright © 1998 - 2008 Guadalajara Reporter. All rights reserved.
The material on ths site may not be reproduced, distrubuted or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of the Guadalajara Reporter. Developed by Hawk Tail Design |
|
