I made @DeliciouslyElla's Sri Lankan Curry after Watching Zac Efron's show "Down to Earth"
Who knew Zac Efron would turn High School Musical star into sustainability globetrotter?? Zac (temporarily) ditched Hollywood for incredible views and life-altering experiences in some of the world's most breathtaking destinations such as Iceland, Puerto Rico, London, and my personal favorite: Sardinia. Zac does everything from trying ayahuasca on a tropical retreat to making a loaf of bread underneath volcanic soil and trying a vegan curry that is now known as the Zac Efron Vegan Curry on social media. Plus, his charm, humor, and amazing body make it all that much more interesting.
This show revolves around food. Zac and his vegan co-host set out to try the local favorite’s in each location that incorporate fresh and delicious ingredients. Everything was nutritious (and sometimes maybe a little carb-heavy...) while also leaving a relatively harmless impact on the environment. On their trip to London, Zac visits with a well-known food blogger and restaurant owner Ella Mills who is known as, @Deliciouslyella to her 1.9 million instagram followers. Of course, I hopped on Instagram right away in anticipation of the mouth-watering #foodstagram pictures. Her account is filled with loads of plant-based recipes such as lentil and tomato spaghetti, coconut curry, and sweeter options such as a spelt gingerbread loaf and no-bake apricot and peanut sandwiches. My mouth literally waters as I scroll through her super aesthetic feed. I highly recommend giving one of her recipes a shot!
In the London episode of "Down to Earth", Ella talks to Zac about how a plant-based diet has transformed her health as well as her overall life and visits her kitchen to taste one of her very own creations. Since the episode aired, Ella’s Sri Lankan Curry recipe has garnered much deserved attention. Zac even admitted this recipe could convince him to go entirely vegan.
The Zac Efron Vegan Curry Recipe:
So, of course I needed to give this recipe a try at home. I made a quick trip to the grocery store to pick up a few ingredients that I hadn’t already had in my pantry such as cumin seed and black mustard seeds. Other key ingredients needed are sweet potato, butternut squash, red bell pepper, spinach, coconut milk, curry powder, chili powder and turmeric. Ella also mentions chickpeas as an optional addition. Here is the recipe Ella posted on her Instagram.
This was the perfect meal to test out during the changing of the seasons. I was feeling major fall vibes in my kitchen considering how quickly the weather is changing in the Northeast! The curry was hearty, satisfying, and extremely tasty. I have a new found appreciation for all of the spices used in this recipe. I definitely plan on researching and incorporating more middle-eastern inspired cuisine into my meals this season. I'm taking any and all recommendations!
The Finished Product:
Once the curry was finished, I paired it with some white jasmine rice. Adding a protein source such as chickpeas or tofu could also be great plant-based additions. I couldn’t believe how simple it was to make. It also helps that it's Zac Efron approved ;)