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Still Happily Herbivorous (Giveaway)

UPDATE: 4/4/11 -- The winner of the copy is...

the dawn

Congratulations!!  Please hit up my G-Mail (nobel4lit2) with your mailing address, and we'll get the book shipped over to ya!

~~~~~~

Here's another installment of my cooking adventures from The Happy Herbivore cookbook!  If you missed my interview with the author, click HERE to read it!

The more I cook with this cookbook, the more I realize a few things:

1) While it's good to make vegan comfort food, it can get you into the habit of eating comfort food.  This isn't bad if you have access to these versions all the time, but if not, watch out!

2) You have to love food in its own merits and stop making comparisons.  Take these black bean brownies, for example.  People might judge how good it is based on how close it tastes to a "real" brownie, which I guess means sugar+butter+eggs.  No, these Happy Herbivore brownies are good in their own right -- they actually taste exotic.

The reason I fretted over these is because I was expecting something close to my vegan brownies, which people request from me all the time because they are admittedly THAT good.  So when I took out these black bean versions, I wanted to hide them.  But while I was watching TV downstairs, I suddenly heard a loud "Mmmm!" from the kitchen.  "The Ukrainian" walked out holding one of these brownies and told me that they are good -- like an exotic dessert.  I love him for having such an open mind.  The next morning, I had a small bite and realized that they WERE good.  Not brownies, but good.


3) Improvise. Cookbooks are not the end-all, be-all.  ;)  I made this soy-free mac n cheese and found it not to be even close to what I'm used to.  It is slightly closer than this other version I made, but it isn't cheesy enough to be mac 'n cheese.  But that's okay, because I had just wanted to make some kind of cheese-ish sauce to douse vegetables in, and by mixing in some frozen broccoli into here, I am able to see that this is indeed possible.  Not being a huge pasta eater, I will probably make a predominantly-veggie version next time.


------

If you want to make scrumptious vegan meals like these, you're in luck!  The Happy Herbivore publisher has offered one reader a FREE copy of the book! (US/Canadian residents only, sorry)
To enter, do one or more of the following: (Ends April 3, 2011 -- 11:59:59 PM)

1) Follow this blog and leave a comment, or comment if you already follow

2) Follow me on Twitter (@nobel4lit), or comment if you already follow

3) Tweet about this giveaway and comment OR post on your blog and comment with the link

4) Leave a comment about a recipe you'd like to see vegan-ized.
Labels:

Comments

  1. AnonymousMarch 28, 2011 at 5:48 AM

    I follow you

    ReplyDelete
  2. AnonymousMarch 28, 2011 at 5:49 AM

    I follow you on twitter

    ReplyDelete
  3. AnonymousMarch 28, 2011 at 5:49 AM

    I would love to see a GOOD mac and cheese recipe vegan style. I have yet to find one that I actually enjoy eating

    ReplyDelete
  4. AnonymousMarch 28, 2011 at 5:52 AM

    I tweeted about it!

    ReplyDelete
  5. RoxanMarch 28, 2011 at 7:45 AM

    I would really love to win this, I already follow your blog on my rss reader!

    ReplyDelete
  6. RoxanMarch 28, 2011 at 7:47 AM

    A dish I'd like to see veganized is a delicious banana bread!

    ReplyDelete
  7. RoxanMarch 28, 2011 at 7:47 AM

    I'm following your twitter (I'm @ monstroxity)

    ReplyDelete
  8. dawn @ running the dawnMarch 28, 2011 at 8:34 AM

    i follow :) i thought i already did...but apparently not..

    ReplyDelete
  9. dawn @ running the dawnMarch 28, 2011 at 8:35 AM

    i need to veganize sour cream....its the one thing i havne't found a good replacement for

    ReplyDelete
  10. dkrachtMarch 28, 2011 at 12:43 PM

    I was going to say pot pie, but then saw that was one of suggested pages below today's post. The other night that is what I wanted. I grew up eating pot pies. There is something about food we ate during childhood that is familiar and comforting.

    ReplyDelete
  11. AnonymousMarch 28, 2011 at 5:42 PM

    I'm sure I already follow you!! mmmmthat pasta thing looks good. I'm also not a huge pasta person so post a veg recipe and I'll try it!

    ReplyDelete
  12. AnonymousMarch 28, 2011 at 5:43 PM

    I follow you on twitter too!

    ReplyDelete
  13. AnonymousMarch 28, 2011 at 5:45 PM

    and I tweeted it!

    ReplyDelete
  14. AnonymousMarch 28, 2011 at 5:46 PM

    I'd love to see a triple layer vegan cake or something decadent and dinnery veganized. Something that is typically creamy but made healthy.

    ReplyDelete
  15. LaurieMarch 28, 2011 at 6:57 PM

    I am a follower. Tadaa!

    ReplyDelete
  16. LaurieMarch 28, 2011 at 6:59 PM

    And as for a food I'd like to see veganized -- DIY beef jerky. I know you can buy veg. jerky but I wanna make it myself!

    ReplyDelete
  17. robinMarch 28, 2011 at 7:34 PM

    I follow with Google Reader!

    ReplyDelete
  18. QMarch 28, 2011 at 7:41 PM

    I am a follower!

    ReplyDelete
  19. AnonymousMarch 28, 2011 at 7:56 PM

    i follow you with my reader

    ReplyDelete
  20. AnonymousMarch 28, 2011 at 7:57 PM

    i follow you on twitter

    ReplyDelete
  21. AnonymousMarch 28, 2011 at 7:59 PM

    oatmeal raisin cookies!

    ReplyDelete
  22. BethMarch 29, 2011 at 8:52 AM

    I'd be interested in more vegan snacks. The only thing I come up with on my own is PB or hummus on veggies and crackers. Boring.

    ReplyDelete
  23. AnonymousApril 2, 2011 at 11:16 AM

    i follow your blog via google reader

    ReplyDelete
  24. AnonymousApril 2, 2011 at 11:17 AM

    i follow on twitter (@thepajamachef)

    ReplyDelete
  25. AnonymousApril 2, 2011 at 11:19 AM

    tweeted http://twitter.com/#!/thepajamachef/status/54246444735008768

    ReplyDelete
  26. AnonymousApril 2, 2011 at 11:19 AM

    i'd love to see any mexican food vegan-ized...cause i'm all about the cheesy taste!

    ReplyDelete

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