
Vegan interpretations of traditional dishes will become part of our food culture in the future. This is the conclusion of trend researcher Hanni Rützler. In addition to new high-tech imitations of meat and fish, meat-free adaptations of classic dishes that do not require complicated lists of ingredients are also shining. The still popular bowls, for example, can be perfectly “veganized” – whether sweet or savoury, breakfast or lunch snack.
Now possible without animal ingredients: vegetables, fruit or salad, nuts or seeds are perfect for a quick snack. Then there are filling foods such as quinoa, couscous or bulgur, which offer plenty of scope. And then we mustn't forget the so-called superfoods: Avocado, pomegranate or chia seeds, for example, are very popular with health-conscious gourmets. The regional alternatives are beet, linseed or kale. With imagination and creativity, delicious plant-based alternatives can be created - in the form of healthy snacks, sophisticated variety or favorite childhood memories.
Meat is losing its role as the leading product of our food culture - at least in the visions of innovative food technologists and investors as well as in the vegan discourse on “proper” nutrition. Plant-based food has become one of the most important food trends of our time. In addition to plant-based products, other alternatives such as alt-protein and cell-cultured food, which are becoming increasingly similar to meat and fish in terms of taste and texture, are now on the horizon.
It doesn’t take much to bring people together – sometimes all you need is tomatoes, pasta, and a pinch of history. In Pasta al Pomodoro, author Ilse Fischer focuses on a classic dish that is much more than just noodles with sauce: it is a symbol of community, memory, and flavor in its purest form.
The idea came about when Fischer tasted three-star chef Niko Romito’s signature dish, “Spaghetti e Pomodoro” – simple, clear, and yet stunningly deep. “Few ingredients, simple preparation, unique taste,” she recalls. And this experience became the starting point for a project that combines culinary art, emotion, and culture.
In 55 variations, she shows how differently and yet how closely connected this classic dish can be interpreted—from Italian nonnas to culinary greats such as Heinz Reitbauer, Andreas Caminada, Johann Lafer, Norbert Niederkofler, Rudi Obauer, and Tina Marcelli. Even artists and actors such as Philipp Hochmair and Walter Grüll contribute their personal versions.
INFO
Pasta al Pomodoro – 55 variations on the Italian classic
Author: Ilse Fischer
Photography: Ingolf Hatz
Foreword: Placido Domingo
Publisher: Christian Verlag GmbH
Length: 208 pages
ISBN: 978-3-95961-958-5
Price: €30.90 (D/A)
When Mediterranean lightness meets Andalusian temperament, the result is a menu that is more than just an arrangement of courses: it becomes a narrative about origins, freedom, and the longing for new perspectives. In December 2025, two-star chef Álvaro Salazar from VORO in Mallorca will take over as guest chef of the month at Restaurant Ikarus – and take Salzburg on a sensory journey between Andalusia and the Balearic Islands.
“Porto – The Cookbook” by Sylvie Da Silva brings the flavors of the Atlantic city to life in book form. The focus is not only on the food, but also on the culture behind it – from hearty home cooking to delicate monastery desserts.
The work captivates with its mixture of recipes and travel impressions. Each chapter takes readers on an enjoyable journey of discovery – including stories about ingredients, regions, and people. The balance between culinary depth and emotional closeness is particularly successful.
INFO
Porto – The Cookbook
Author: Sylvie Da Silva
Publisher: Südwest Verlag
192 pages, approx. 120 color photos
ISBN: 978-3-517-10389-1
Price: €24.00 (Germany) / €24.70 (Austria) / CHF 33.50
Vegan interpretations of traditional dishes will become part of our food culture in the future. This is the conclusion of trend researcher Hanni Rützler. In addition to new high-tech imitations of meat and fish, meat-free adaptations of classic dishes that do not require complicated lists of ingredients are also shining. The still popular bowls, for example, can be perfectly “veganized” – whether sweet or savoury, breakfast or lunch snack.