To kick off Veganuary, fast casual Just Salad partnered with vegan fine-dining restaurant Dirt Candy to launch its newest limited-time bowl.
James Beard-nominated Amanda Cohen, chef-owner of the Michelin-starred restaurant in New York City, developed the aptly named “Dirt Candy” Salad. It’s a combo of crisp romaine and arugula, organic sesame tofu, sliced cucumber, shaved broccoli, Tajin-spiced pumpkin seeds, sweet pepperoncini and buttery Castelvetrano olives. The salad is tossed with house-made creamy vegan ranch, a blend of plant-based mayonnaise, nutritional yeast, minced garlic, lemon juice, vinegar and seasonings.
“Embarking on this Veganuary journey with Just Salad is a thrilling fusion of culinary passions and a shared food ethos,” said chef Cohen in a statement. “Our collaboration stems from a mutual dedication to redefining dining experiences through plant-based innovation and sustainable practices. I'm excited to offer their customers a new vegan recipe that incorporates some of my favorite flavors and ingredients.”
In addition to earning a Michelin Star, Dirt Candy was awarded a Michelin Green Star for its innovative menu and dedication to eco-friendly initiatives—practices in sync with Just Salad’s climate mission and sustainability goals.
“It was an honor to partner with chef Cohen, a pioneer in the vegetable-forward movement who continues to be a creative force in the culinary industry,” Jhonny Castro, culinary director at Just Salad, said in a statement. “We're proud to offer our guests a Michelin-star experience through the partnership that embodies our passion for flavorful, plant-forward food and commitment to quality ingredients.”
The Dirt Candy Salad rolls out along with Just Salad’s new winter menu, which features four other bowls and a soup. The lineup includes:
• Mediterranean Bowl, composed of black lentils, shredded kale and arugula, Greek medley (onion, cucumber and chickpeas), pickled onions, pepperoncini, spicy harissa pita, crumbled feta and roasted chicken with yogurt cucumber dressing
• Maple Crispy Chicken with baby spinach and arugula, crispy chicken, white cheddar, almonds, dried cranberries, roasted corn, carrots and maple cider vinaigrette
• Winter Harvest, a combo of supergreens, black lentils, roasted chicken, goat cheese, roasted sweet potatoes, almonds, apples and balsamic vinaigrette
• Avo Crunch Bowl featuring regenerative brown rice, supergreens, plant-based chicken, vegan feta, avocado, carrots crispy onions and chipotle vinaigrette
• Broccoli Cheddar Soup.
The Dirt Candy Salad runs through January 31 to coincide with the month’s 2024 Veganuary designation that promotes plant-based eating. The rest of Just Salad’s winter menu is available until late March, in store, online and through the app.
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