Fresh Prep is thrilled to announce our latest Chef Collaboration, where we’ve teamed up with MILA, Vancouver’s go-to for delicious plant-based dining.
As the year winds down and we look ahead to the new one, thoughts turn to our goals for the coming year. For many, that includes getting back into a positive mealtime routine. There are plenty of good reasons to embrace more plant-based meals next year, and we’re here to give you one more. Introducing our latest Chef Collaboration with MILA! Located in Vancouver’s Chinatown, MILA offers a menu filled with flavourful, globally-inspired vegan dishes.
We’re excited to give you a taste of MILA at home, with this collaboration meal kit. The recipe features Dan Dan Noodles with Crispy Tofu Karaage, Creamy Tahini Sauce, Crunchy Yu Choy, and a zesty kick of Szechuan Chili Oil. It’s no wonder it’s one of the most popular items on the menu.
We sat down with MILA’s head Chef, Breanne Smart, to get her insights about the recipe and collaboration.
1. Can you give us a little history of MILA? What gap does it fill?
MILA opened in the middle of the pandemic 3 years ago. We had the intention to provide a casual fine dining space and a fantastic bar program that’s fully plant-based. We are very lucky to occupy a niche area of Vancouver’s dining and drinking scene. We’re a place for vegans and non-vegans to gather together and celebrate all of life’s main events. We’ve hosted retirements, surprise engagement parties, baby showers, and a few weddings!
2. Tell us about the collaboration recipe. What was your approach to turning this traditionally meat-based dish into a plant-based version?
Dan dan noodles are a traditionally Chinese Sichuan soup-based dish that’s made with pork. An easy substitute for the pork would have been an imitation meat but we wanted to do something that was super plant focused, yet filling. My father-in-law actually helped with the inspiration for using a grain as one of the first things he made when I went vegan was tacos using walnut and bulgur as the “meat”. We then experimented with different grains before we landed on farro. Farro has a lovely chew to it and just so happens to take on the colour of pork when cooked.
3. What are the star ingredients in this recipe and why do they stand out for you?
The diva of this dish is the amazing Szechuan peppercorn. It’s beautifully floral and aromatic, and packs a unique punch when it comes to flavour sensation. It contains a chemical that numbs the tongue and lips through micro-vibrations. Because it numbs your taste buds, you may be able to handle more heat, which is where the Szechuan’s partner, the red chilli, comes in. The two create harmony in the dish together.
4. What do you hope home chefs will take away from this collaboration meal kit experience?
We hope that beyond just a delicious meal, home chefs will be more comfortable experimenting with new spices, protein sources, or vegetables. Szechuan, farro, and yu choy are unique ingredients that have so many more applications than Dan dan. We’re also hoping that it will inspire at home chefs to explore more plant-based options at home and when dining out.
5. What was your experience like collaborating with Fresh Prep?
From recipe development to filming together, it’s been a blast to work with Fresh Prep. We’re all really excited to see MILA’s food reach more people in their homes thanks to Fresh Prep.
Head to the menu on your Fresh Prep account to order MILA’s Dan Dan Noodles recipe. This meal kit is only available to Fresh Prep customers. If you haven’t signed up yet, try us now to enjoy this limited time MILA collaboration meal kit, plus our amazing weekly recipes, salads and more.
Visit MILA at:
185 Keefer Street, Vancouver
milaplantbased.com
*Limited-time offer. Valid only for new Fresh Prep customers. Offer ends January 24, 2024 at 11:59 pm PT. Total value of discount is $90 distributed over 3 orders as follows: $35 off order 1, $30 off order 2, $25 off order 3. Limit one redemption per household. Upon redemption, you will be enrolled in an auto-renewing subscription which you may cancel at any time, in accordance with our terms and conditions.
