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In Unit 1 I it says that we do not use oil because it is processed (we keep just the fat of the olive rather than eating it whole). But then in the sweetener section it says that we can use date sugar. How come? Isn't it also processed?

Ask Me Anything (Office Hours)

Char Nolan - Ask Me Anything (Office Hours)

Recorded

This event was on August 16, 2022

Join Chef Char Nolan in her virtual office as she welcomes all of your questions. This event was created for you and we encourage you to ask anything – from cooking techniques to course-specific questions, to how to turn your cooking passion into profit or simply hearing the perspective of a professional chef, Chef Nolan is ready to answer them all.

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Question

Virginie&Vincent Lauzon

In Unit 1 I it says that we do not use oil because it is processed (we keep just the fat of the olive rather than eating it whole). But then in the sweetener section it says that we can use date sugar. How come? Isn't it also processed?

Answer

Well, it's not processed like like cane sugar. You know, it's dehydrated fruit that essentially is then ground into a sugar. So maple sugar date Sugar are not as processed and if you read any of the essence in cookbooks, they use a lot of maple maple syrup, which also isn't process so very good observations as you might know I cook without oil which is often astounding to people and Today some of you know that my summer goal this year was to do a service project and I have been working at a place called The Sanctuary Farm which is an inner city Farm in Philadelphia in the poorest zip code of Philadelphia and every week I make something that's Whole Food plant-based. No oil salt oil sugar free Etc. And today I made a a collard green dish with lots of different vegetables in it and I used A rights Liquid Smoke comes in a glass bottle opposed to the Liquid Smoke plastic bottle. Anyway, people just ate it up and loved it so much and people are always amazed with how delicious oil-free food can taste but Virginia and Vincent keep cooking without that oil. You're doing a great job.

Char Nolan

Chef Instructor

Char Nolan is a serious crusader for plant-based education, armed with a degree in public health from Philadelphia’s Temple University. She teaches nutrition and plant-based cooking throughout Philadelphia, and in many underserved communities. Char holds a certificate in plant-based nutrition from eCornell and completed Rouxbe’s Plant-Based Professional Certification course in 2015. In 2019, Char completed post-graduate course work in social media marketing at the University of the Arts. When she is not cooking or teaching, she manages social media accounts for several plant-based influencers. Char prides herself on learning everything she knows about cooking from growing up in her grandparents’ Italian restaurant. Her favorite vegetables are Brussels sprouts and kale, of course. Char originally hails from Queens, NY, but has lived in Philadelphia most of her adult life. She is a former Peace Corps Volunteer.