Top 10 Recipes and Earth Day
Erik Marcus over at Vegan.com has polled the top vegan cookbook writers to come up with the Top 10 Recipes of 2008. He started by compiling a list of ten of the best recent vegan cookbooks, including two that I've reviewed here in the last couple of months, Vegan Express and Vegan Fire and Spice, and asked each author to pick one favorite recipe from his or her book. I know one thing: It's given me some new recipes to try!Now, no blog post is complete without a photo, and since it's Earth Day, I think it's fitting to post a couple of photos from my (organic) garden.
Remember the tomato plant I showed you, the one that was blooming even after being knocked over during a tornado? Well, here's how those flowers look two and a half weeks later. They've miraculously turned into grape tomatoes, and the biggest ones are almost fully grown. After the storm, I just picked the plant up off the wet ground and tied it to a stake to keep it from rotting. I like to think of this as a small example of how the Earth can heal itself if we only make the effort to help it.
If this rose illustrates anything, it's that growing things organically is easy. All this rose seems to need is periodic watering and a place in the sun. Other than a little trim in the winter, that's all I've given it, and this year it's exploding with blooms. Mother Earth gets all the credit.
Happy Earth Day to you all. If you have time to do a little reading, check out these Earth Day posts on other vegan blogs:
Vegan Bits tells us how research shows that eating vegan does more for the environment than eating locally.
Food Snob lists her Earth Day Resolutions for the year.
Living Vegan is celebrating Earth Day by voting in Pennsylvania.
Vegan Chai links to several interesting Earth Day posts.
Vegan Vice lists her Earth Day goals and sees some hope for the future.
An Animal-Friendly Life says that eating vegan can, of course, help the environment, but if we want people to stay vegan, it has to be about the animals.
And finally, several Vegan Etsy stores are having Earth Day promotions in their shops, offering discounts and/or donating part of their sales to Earth-friendly organizations. Buy handmade and help the environment!
Don't forget to check back on Friday to see if you've won the book.
Tags: vegan recipes vegetarian cooking food
posted by SusanV at 4:29 PM
138 Comments:
I have been DYING to get my hands on V-con!
My favorite recipe this year has been the Chewy Chocolate chip cookies at the PPK! http://www.theppk.com/recipes/dbrecipes/index.php?RecipeID=111
I am amazed at your tomato plant!!
My favorite recipe this year has been your corned "beef" and cabbage recipe from last year. I've made it 3 times already.
http://blog.fatfreevegan.com/2007/03/vegan-corned-beef-and-cabbage-roasted.html
Plantain Omelet from Vegan Fusion World Cuisine
I used to eat boiled plantains with cheez wiz for breakfast as a kid in the Philippines. I like this recipe because it's so innovative.
My favorite recipe I can locate the source of is the chili-cornmeal crusted tofu from the veganomicon. I also saw a kumquat (upside-down?) cake which I couldn't find again, but tried to re-create myself last week, that was AMAZING.
I'm trying to win a copy to send to my sister--she's well on her way to being convinced to go vegan (VCTOTW is helping out...).
My favorite recipe is your Easy Macaroni and Cheeze. I made it last night and it was a huge hit. Thanks!
My boyfriend and I joined a CSA this year and have been introduced to more new veggies than we ever imagined (agretti, spigariello...) My favorite new recipe which has come from this experience is any kind of green, sauteed in olive oil with garlic and red pepper flakes with anything orange (squash, sweet potato, oranges...)
I just stumbled across this one a couple days ago and just made it for dinner tonight...amazing! its a winter-squash pinenut risotto from The Vegan Chef's website.
http://www.veganchef.com/
Fave recipe from a new cookbook:
Nicer Krispie Squares from Dreena Burton's Eat, Drink and Be Vegan
(There are no fake marshmallows where I live, so this has become my new Rice Krispie square fix. I make it every few weeks.)
- Terri in Quebec, Canada
You're lucky to have tomatoes...I'm dying for mine to grow quicker!
Favorite recipe...Peach-Blueberry Cobbler pg 228 in the July 2007 Cooking Light magazine. We actually used peaches and raspberries, but who's counting :-p
my favorite recipe is the big bread on website veg web...http://vegweb.com/index.php?topic=5716.0
I have been eating vegan since Oct 07 so I am still finding my favorites. My absolute favorite recipe though has to be Cauliflower Cheese Soup from www.randomgirl.com I add a 1/2 cup of vermouth at the end and it is fabulous (although it is good w/o too) I have gotten cauliflower hating friends loving it by bringing it to potlucks. My dairy eating friends are being introduced to the wonders of nutritional yeast!!
I would really love to have Veganomicon, I have been eyeing at the bookstore for a while!! :)
My favorite recipe of 2008 so far is the Best Hummus recipe in the May/June 2008 Cooks Illustrated. It seems silly - what is there to hummus-making after all? - but this recipe/method is a revelation. Failproof velvety smooth hummus. Yum - I'm going to go make some right now!
My favorite recipe that I have made so far this year comes from room-4-dessert.com
It's Farfalle with Eggplant, Honey, and Soy Sauce.
It is soooo delicious!
Thanks for sharing the Earth Day post links!
My favorite recipe from this year from your blog is your roasted tomato soup (from February). Thank you for entering me into the contest!
My favorite recipe so far this year are the black bean brownies... My own banana version is the kind I like best. Recipe: http://magpie707.blogspot.com/2008/03/black-bean-brownies.html
I know this recipe for mushroom-carrot bulgur is awfully simple, but I made it once and then kept making it every week or so. Very comforting!
My favourite recipe this year has to be your very own "ridiculously easy" smoky refried bean soup. I love soup, love smoky-spicy things, and love things that are ridiculously quick and easy to make. :)
Thanks for talking about Earth Day today - it slips under the radar for too many people.
My favorite recipe of the year is vegan "chicken" broth mix from Bryanna Grogan:
http://www.veganrepresent.com/forums/archive/index.php?t-383.html
I use it in almost everything savory that I make!
Kate from SoCal
My fiancée made your Smoky Refried Bean Soup from last month, and it was fantastic. Thanks for hosting this book contest!
My favourite is the Vegan Omelet right here - yum!
My fav recipe of 2007 has to be your recipe for roasted grape tomatoes from last summer...so good and so simple! Yum! Thanks for that!
Courtney
Favourite recipe: The Ninja Rice Bowl from Refresh cookbook (by Ruth Tal and Jennifer Hudson, who are owners of the best vegan restaurant in Toronto, Fresh). The rice bowl is made with a wasabi dill dressing that my fiance can't get enough of...
www.juiceforlife.com/cookbook.html
I've been completely stalking the vegan blogs for six months, I haven't even bought a vegan cookbook, I just set up my laptop in the kitchen while I cook! BUt I would LOVE to own v-con. My Favorite recipe that I've made in 2008 would have to Chai Tea Latte Cupcakes, http://www.theppk.com/recipes/dbrecipes/index.php?RecipeID=386 such a hit with the omnivores!
I love the lasagna recipe you put up a while ago. I'm not sure if it is from "this year" or not. I've only become vegan in the last year, so I figure it counts for me. I really love it because I come from a meat loving Italian family. I made your lasagna for my dad, without telling him it was vegan, and he inhaled it! After he questioned the type of cheese I used and I admitted to using none, he actually ate three more pieces. Great job!
I have heard so many good comments about this cookbook. As far as a favorite recipe? It just depends on what kind of mood I am in. But who doesn’t love chocolate anytime? Chocolate-Orange Cake, Chocolate pie, my own dark chocolate cherry brownies, I am afraid I could go on and on.
On a completely different note-I am VERY JEALOUS of your garden. Here in the Dairy State, we are just seeing daffodils. Unfortunately, our yard gets very limited sun so we are two weeks behind everyone else in town! Very depressing. Your little tomatoes are beautiful!
Can I pick two? I need some dinner and dessert after all:
Baked Falafels from Whole Foods Allergy Cookbook and
Nut Case Cookies from My Sweet Vegan
i love the provenal quiche in vegan planet, but the meatloaf in the jewish vegetarian cookbook is a close second
this months vegetarian times magazine has a wonderful sushi recipes.
I would love a copy of this cookbook!
My favorite recipe of 2008 is actually not a recipe at all - it is my discovery of steel-cut oats. I had no idea what I was missing! I love being able to throw them into a slow cooker with some vanilla and raisins and have a great, hearty breakfast in the morning.
My favorite recipe of 2008 would have to be your recipe for chocolate orange bundt cake. It was so delicious!
-Renee
I usually don't buy too many cookbooks but had been very interested in Veganomicon. Hope I randomly win!
My favorite recipe is new for me since im fairly new to the vegan thing: http://blog.fatfreevegan.com/2007/02/polenta-lasagna-with-portabellas-and.html
I love the vegetable fried quinoa found on your website and I'm really looking forward to trying the Banana Chocolate Bread Pudding found on the vegan.com site. And! I bet I can make it wheat free using either spelt or rice bread. Thanks for all your good recipes!
My favorite recipe posted in 2008 is a tie between your Roasted Tomato Soup and Personal Polenta Pizza.
http://blog.fatfreevegan.com/2008/02/tomato-soup-with-roasted-garlic-and.html
http://blog.fatfreevegan.com/2008/01/personal-polenta-pizza.html
I've made both twice, when I wasn't busy making
But then there are so many others, too, like your lasagne, the mac-n-cheese, the mexican pumpkin soup, the can't be beet chocolate cake, the chocolate orange cake, the mini tofu quiches, baba ganoush, roasted asparagus, asparagus pesto, tofu and vegetable cacciatore, creole black-eyed peas, carrot spice muffins, lite goddess dressing. . .:)
And thanks for updating us on that miraculous tomato plant that made it through the tornado. Like one of the other posters, where I live we are watching daffodils open and praying for it to stop dropping into the 30s at night. My sugar peas are coming up, though. And that rose!! Lovely!! It reminds me mine will bloom as well. Happy Earth Day, Susan, and thanks for all the earth day links, too!
My favorite recipe has been the Coconut, Cranberry, Carob Clusters from Eat Drink and Be Vegan.
-Meighen
Oooh. Caramelized Tofu.
http://www.101cookbooks.com/archives/caramelized-tofu-recipe.html
That stuff was delicious. With some coconut rice...yum!
I have been staring lovingly at that book every time I walk into the bookstore. :)
My favorite recipe is your Southwestern Split Pea Soup (found right here on fatfreevegan.com). It has helped me go veggie and stay veggie. It is so good! Thanks!
Tina
Yes, growing an organic garden is easier than it sounds. There are so many options too.
I tried Alton brown's granola bars and totally loved it. I have made it countless number of times now
http://tastypalettes.blogspot.com/2008/03/breakfast-to-go-granola-bars.html
I loved the Garam Masala Tofu Scramble from 101 Cookbooks... and tofu scrambles in general are a new love of mine!
My favorite recipe is: Nearly Instant Thai Coconut Corn Soup from Vegan Expess by Nava Atlas.
I can feed this to everyone, meat eaters or veg**ns and they all love it!
I have to say, this year, the vegan molten chocolate cakes from diet, dessert, and dogs are my favorite. they're so delicious!
Ohhhh, I've heard such rave reviews of V-Com. My current favorite recipe is VeganYumYum's tangelo marmalade. I added oranges and fruit pectin, and I've found so darn many uses for it! Great on breakfast breads, accenting baked goods, for gourmet PBJs, or even used as a glaze for tofu.
http://veganyumyum.com/2008/03/tangelo-marmalade/
Here's a vote for your Cauliflower Dal with Panch Phoran (January 2008). It won't win any beauty contests (at least, not the way it came out in my kitchen), but I had never tried that spice mix before and am grateful for the introduction.
Dal Bhaji!!!!! I emailed the link to about 8 people after making it, and I made it twice in one week.
Mediterranean Tofu Scramble from 'How to Successfully Become a Vegetarian' pdf at veggie123.com. Tasty!
Hello Everyone,
My favorite recipe comes from "The Grit" which is a vegetarian cookbook based off of the restaurant. The best recipe in my opinion is the Honey(agave) BBQ Tofu Sandwiches. You make the bbq sauce from ketchup, orange juice, and I use agave and a few spices and it turned out to be the best sauce I have ever tasted in my life. Then add the tofu and put it on some bread it was really good and this is coming from someone who does not eat tofu period. So that has to say alot about this recipe, it alone was worth my investment in the book!
Seitan Potstickers!
http://veganyumyum.com/2008/02/pot-stickers/
I discovered this this year:
http://orangette.blogspot.com/2007/05/spring-clean.html
The first time I made it (and let's be honest, all the subsequent times as well), I literally took one bite and felt like beating anyone who came near it off with a wooden spoon, it's that good!
My favorite recipe of the year so far has been the spicy Italian sausage recipe at everydaydish.tv: http://everydaydish.tv/Recipe%20Pages/Spicy_Italian_Vegetarian_Sausage.html -- Whenever I find faux meat that my omnivore family likes, rather than tolerating, I'm happy.
My favorite recipe so far is your very own Chocolate Orange Cake. I took it to a very omnivore dinner party and they ATE IT UP!!! DELICIOUS!!!
Mt most recent favorite was from Vegetarian Times: http://www.vegetariantimes.com/recipes/10329 (I omitted the feta to make it Vegan)
Even my 4 year old LOVED it. He keeps asking if I put this on my to make again list.
Oh! I'd just love a copy!! Thanks for doing this...
(((hugs)))
My favorite recipe is Chili Cornbread Pie from Eden Foods.
Susan,
Allow me to join the others who are jealous of your garden! In my state, the not even the dandelions would grow until last week. It will be a while before I see any tomatoes!
As hard as I tried I could not pick only one favorite recipe. My top two favorites are your "Patatas Bravas" and Nava Atlas' "African Inspired Peanut-Quinoa Soup" from her vegan edition of "Vegetarian Soups for All Seasons".
My favorite so far in 2008 is Lazy Day Peanut Noodle Salad Recipe from 101 Cookbooks which can be found under the vegan section. It's delicioius, easy, and healthy.
Hi Susan,
My most favourite recipe is Lasagna. But all the recipes I would get were with eggs and cheese etc.
I found a vegan recipe on your site and it has been my favourite ever since.
Vaishali
I'd have to say the Whole Wheat Millet Soda Bread with Currants from V-con. I'm also trying to win one for someone I know who hasn't been able to buy it. So many people covet this book!
Great blog, SusanV!
My favorite this year has been the Savory French Lentils from ED&BV!
My favorite vegan recipe is from you!! The ridiculously easy enchiladas...my husband and I eat them all the time...I have even made a breakfast version with veggie sausage...YUMM!! Thanks so much!
I love this vegan.com feature, I hope they will do this more often. It is really generous that all those authors were willing to share not just a recipe, but their favorite.
It is also great reading all those comments! I find it hard to pick one favorite recipe, but I will vote for the cashew ricotta in Veganomicon. I know it sounds hyperbolic, but it changed my world. I am still astonished that such a simple recipe can taste so wonderful.
The Amatuer Gourmet's "Bodega Beans," which is basically an onion, a can of beans, and some other veggies in salt and olive oil, has pretty much changed my life.
I'd just love to win that book - it's been on my wish list since it came out!
Although you technically printed the recipe in 2007, my vote has to go to your chocolate-orange cake - delicious!
April in Pensacola
My favorite recipe I tried last year was your fat free and fabulous fudgy brownies. Yum!
I would love to win the copy of the cookbook because I am recently Vegan and am running out of ideas on what to cook for dinners!
My favorite recipe is Blossoming Lotus's Cosmic Cornbread, also found in their Vegan World Fusion Cuisine cookbook
Hands down, your VEGAN SCALLOPED POTATOES. I have made it for many with rave reviews and given the recipe to many. Thank you for helping me and my friends become more vegan!
Our favorite right now is Sloppy Lentil Joes from Dr McDougall's site. We also love your fat free pancakes or waffle recipe. Thanks for you delicious recipes!
http://www.drmcdougall.com/misc/2006nl/february/recipes.htm
oh goodness, there have been so many new vegan faves this year... i think my current fave would have to be... The Vegan Ronin's Lasagna with Bechamel Sauce. It's so versatile and even the omnis love it cuz it's not trying to be cheese lasagna, it's delicious in its own right. Yum yum yum.
http://theveganronin.blogspot.com/2008/03/traditional-lasagna-with-bchamel-sauce.html
~kitty
My favorite recipe has been the Red Lentil Sambar you posted from Vegan Fire and Spice! Thanks!
My favorite recipe is the sesame and white miso sauce from Renee Loux's "The Balanced Plate". I make this at least weekly, and drizzle it over marinate tofu, steamed kale and quinoa. So simple and delicious!!
My favorite recipe so far is Asparagus strawberry salad from Vegalicious
My favorite recipe is the wonton soup from Vegan YumYum. It's delicious!
http://veganyumyum.com/2008/03/wonton-soup/
Totally the best is the Thai Coconut Corn soup from Nava Atlas' book. Love the blog!
My favorite recipe is the Hasperat on Vegan Yum Yum. Not very complicated, but it blew my mind to see a freaking recipe for it!
http://veganyumyum.com/2008/02/hasperat/
Veganomicon's Black Bean Burgers, for several reasons. First and foremost, I can feed them to ANYONE! The most ardent burger fans love these, kids love these and I love their ease of preparation. I also appreciate that I can make them out of pantry staples if I don't want to go to the trouble of cooking beans etc. They also hold up well on a grill and look unassuming enough to attract no special interest at a BBQ from those who choose to eat 'regular' burgers (this is a big plus for some kids). AND they freeze beautifully!
I have to second the vote for Susan V.'s Easy Mac and Cheeze. I've been making it a lot lately because it's really fast, easy, and it can be soy free. Plus, it tastes awesome, of course!
My favorite new recipe is the Snobby Joes recipe from Veganomicon. I got it from the PPK website though- I'm dying for a copy of the cookbook!
I think these baked veggie samosas are great -
http://raspberryeggplant.blogspot.com/2008/04/baked-vegetable-samosas.html
My favorite recipe that I've tried so far this year came from your blog: Easy Spinach and Mushroom Lasagna. We just had it for dinner last night and could not believe how tasty it is and so easy to make!
Slim chances, but I wanted to try anyway. My favorite recipe is Vegetarian Pad Thai from the blog Baking & Books.
My favorite recipe would definitely have to be Orange Chicken Style Tofu, which can be found at Veg Web: http://vegweb.com/index.php?
topic=15978.0
I do usually double the sauce measurements and add pineapple juice, pineapple and green pepper, just to make it even better. Lip-smacking good!
My favorite recipe is the banana cornmeal pancakes from the Vegetarian Times (about 2 months ago but also online). They're made with whole wheat flour, cornmeal, and vanilla yogurt.
My favorite recipe is the "Fronch" Toast in Vegan with a Vengeance. They've made mornings so much more bearable...
I would love a copy of V-con!
My favorite, so hard to choose when you are a foodie, but, right now it is the 'fruit pinwheels, or fruit rollups" not exactly sure of their actual name, but its from My Sweet Vegan. I used a combo of "raisins, prunes, orange juice, almond extract and walnuts" for the filling and they were amazing.
Anyway, great blog Susan.
My favorite new recipe: Your BBQ Seitan Ribz! I LOVE seitan, but before finding this recipe was never able to pull off making it myself.
Its been a big hit with my non-veg family & friends, too. Thanks.
Julie, New York
My fave this year was the Raspberry Blackout Cake with Chocolate Ganachey Sauce from Vegan with a Vengeance. PHENOM!
Ooh I lust for this cookbook! :) One of the best recipes I've tried so far this year is the one for cottage cheese apple pancakes from the Moosewood Collective's Moosewood Restaurant Cooks at Home cookbook. I blogged about it here.
I would love that cookbook! My favorite new recipe is Mac 'n' Cheese on page 66 Jan+Feb 2008 "VegNews" magazine. I love so many of your recipes too and appreciate all the time and efforts you put on this blog.
Dolores Jones
personally, it's your Dirty Secret Soup :D
My favorite recipe of 08 is from the Cafe Flora Cookbook (Cafe Flora is a vegetarian restaurant in Seattle). It's called Portobello Wellingtons with Madiera Sauce. It's quite a production but totally worth it and impressive for guests. The sauce is so rich and velvety. To make vegan, I omitted the eggs and used soy cheese.
It has to be the cauliflower dal with panch phoran!
Michelle
Wow, so nice to see all these recipes posted. Not kissing up, and maybe my long term memory is just shot, but I LOVE your brown rice quiche recipe. That's been a hit in my house several times over now. YUM!
Shana
For me it would have to be a recipe I tried from Mark Bittman's Everything Vegetarian. It was for crisp cooked sunchokes and pasta. This dinner simply wowed us.
Sheltie Girl @ Gluten a Go Go
Oooooh my - my favorite recipe of the year, thus far, is the no-pasta Eggplant Lasagna on your site!..it has not only impressed and tantalized my vegetarian palate, but has COMPLETELY won over my brother and each one of the All-American, red-blooded, meat-loving sailors in his US Navy squadron ... That is a tremendous success! Thank you!!