Chef-Restaurateur Seamus Mullen’s “Find Your True Fork” Spanish Paleo Menu
Chef-Restaurateur Seamus Mullen’s Paleo menu starred at recently the Wanderlust Hollywood. It was the halfway mark in the Find Your True Fork six-part series spotlighting individual chef’s unique approach to ethical, mindful eating. Rodale’s Organic Life partnered in this program showcasings healthy, sustainable and ethical food choices through the lens of acclaimed, influential chefs.
It was one of those invites where you just do not know what to expect. The idea is that guests are encouraged to explore widely discussed eating lifestyles: Sustainable, Vegan, Paleo, Raw, Local and Ayurveda. The experience offers insight into personal preferences in order to “how to find the true fork that suits you.” I chose the Paleo dinner – my natural palate choice- and wound up loving the vegetarian fare there best!
Chef Seamus is the charming, hearty author of HERO FOOD and also the creator of the Wanderlust Cafe. His story of switching to a paleo diet is a dramatic one in which he completely overcame painful and sometimes-debilitating rheumatoid arthritis (RA) //blog.arthritis.org/stories-of-yes/seamus-mullen-rheumatoid-arthritis/.
Wanderlust is a high-end yoga and lifestyle center blocks from raucous Hollywood Boulevard, where bike racks stand side by side with $15 valet stands.
Find Your True Fork sponsors include Lundberg Family Farms and Organic India. I loved the carrot hummus and the avocado hummus on the Lundberg Family Farm display so much I could have finished both bowls with a bag or two of the crackers.
This new set of favorites of the evening turned out to be the perfect enticement to eat vegan! It paired beautifully with the wonderful Napa Bonterra wine from Napa. I found my fork – and glass!
Even for a non rice eater (except for black and Korean purple) it was love at first bite. Lundberg Family Farm Organic Grounded Snack Pink Himalayan Salt Red Rice & Quinoa Tortilla Chips were the richest, snappiest and crunchiest triangles I have ever tasted.
Rich and tasty small bowls of chicken broth smarter passed as an appetizer — – held pieces of shredded chicken, okra that was a bit, shall we say mucilaginous – and a nice touch of seaweed.
India’s products had already impressed us at LocalFoodEater so much we have done two stories on their teas and sustainable farming way of farming in India.
The Find Your True Fork series is the brainchild of engaging, Jeff Krasno (seen above with a fan) and also a peek inside his upcoming book Wanderlust: Find Your True Fork.
In the past we have highly recommended book selections published by Rodale’s Organic Life on this website, and we look forward to this one. “Apparently it is a best seller,” Jeff laughed holding up the only copy he could obtain during his welcoming remarks, which was tattered and worn.
The dinner takes place in a cavernous hall with a stage at one end, a day-space for yoga classes. With its low lighting and ceiling windows, the feel is of a summer camp dining hall.
Long tables were set communal style with field flowers on a runner down the middle and a menu on each plate. A lovely, low-key young lady admired my (homemade) dress. I wound up sitting with her and her date for a delightful, summery evening. To my surprise, she turned out to be the CFO of the superstar PR company promoting the event.
First up was the Bitter Lettuces with Hazelnut Vinaigrette and Persimmon. To access a video of how the salad is made, please see: //www.rodalewellness.com/food/bitter-lettuces-with-hazelnut-vinaigrette-persimmon
Bitter Lettuces with Hazelnut Vinaigrette and Persimmon (photo courtesy of Rodales)
The rest of the Family Style Dinner included: Asparagus Salad with Egg and Jambon de Bayonne; Grilled Lamb Loins with anchovy -Walnut and Lundberg
Award-winning Seamus is known for his restaurant Tertulia and El Colmado, a Spanish tapas and wine bar and food hall in New York’s Hell’s Kitchen. For his full culinary bio, that includes growing up on an organic farm in Vermont and styling in Spain, see: //www.foodnetwork.com/profiles/contestants/seamus-mullen/bio
All photos courtesy of Rodales’ Organic Life)
On Thursday, August 17- Meredith Klein presents Ayurveda.
The dinners at Wanderlust Hollywood (1357 N. Highland Avenue, Los Angeles) begin at 7pm (with a cocktail hour and appetizer trays). Tickets are $80 with a price break for the series. Purchase tickets here
Gerry Furth-Sides 
Barbara Hansen 
Chef-owner Alain Cohen 
Roberta Deen 
Jose Martinez 
Nivedita Basu 