This year, thirty-four bloggers stepped up to the challenge to create a romantic, vegetable Valentine’s Day dish, and the results are impressive. The entries are all so creative, delicious-looking, and downright sexy that I’m certain that I could never pick a favorite.
Fortunately, that’s your job. Please do these contestants the honor of visiting their blogs and reading their full posts before you decide which one should be our winner. Though a picture may be worth a thousand words, it can’t replace the information and inspiration you get from checking out the actual recipe. After you’ve looked them all over (and maybe even left a little comment love on their blogs), come back here to vote in the poll, located at the end of this post.
The top two vote-getters will receive these prizes, courtesy of Nava Atlas:
First Prize will be a signed copy of Nava’s new book, Vegan Soups and Stews for All Seasons, a vegan update of her classic Vegetarian Soups with 20 new recipes.
Second Prize will be a signed copy of Vegan Express, Nava’s fabulous quick and easy cookbook, which came out last year.
Here are all the mouth-watering entries, in the order in which I received them. Look and love:
Green Cabbage Soup by Elessar
Asparagus Mango Dumplings with Coconut Basil Rice by Stephanie at Lazy Smurf’s Guide to Life
Vegetable Tian by Romina at La Cucina Vegan
Carrot Yokan Pie by Mike at Mike’s Thoughts
Parsnip Dumplings Over a Red Pepper Puree by Becky Timbers at whereonearth: a vegan’s life adventures
Vegan Roasted Red Pepper Pesto Pasta by Anne from Vegan Digest
Healthy Hearts by KJ at Escapades in Cooking
Heart Shaped Spanakopita by DJ Karma from VegSpinz
Potato Bruschetta Cakes by Kiersten at Full of Beans
Upma / Spicy Semolina with Mixed Vegetables by Mrs Varsha Prabhu from Vegan Treats : A Healthy Option
Tempeh Reuben Sliders with Raw Beet Slaw and Red-Wine Braised Mushrooms by TJF at Portland Vegan Reubens
beets gone wild by Sinead at kitchen dancing
“Lamb” Curry with Creamy Mashed Potatoes by Vaishali from Holy Cow! Recipes From A Vegan Kitchen
Roasted Red Bell Pepper Soup by Hannah at Bittersweet
Messy, Hot (Sex) Jack Fruit Enchiladas by Tracy Warner from Columbus Vegan
Sweet Potatoes for my Sweetheart: Spiked Sweet Potato Truffles by Ricki at Diet, Dessert and Dogs
Love-ly Burgers by K of Tale Of Two Vegans
Scalloped Root Vegetables by J’Hab at La Vida Veggie
Vegan Swiss Steak by josh at My Vegan Cookbook
Mini Heart Shaped Lasagnas by Jenn Lynskey at Vegan Dance if you want to
Celery Roses with Roasted Red Bell Pepper Sun Cheese by Alicia at Broccoli makes me happy
Valentine Cake by Susan Lowry at Vegan Occasions
Eggplant Marsala by Kate from The Reclusive Housewife
Sweet Potato and Almond Cookies by Laura at Vegan Food and Fitness
Bonzai Balls by Sayward Rebhal at Bonzai Aphrodite
Bugs Bunny Brownies by Danica from Think It, Bake It
Spicy Red Wine Love Sauce with Savory White Wine Ravioli by Nathan Krueger at Being Wheelwright
Smokey Stuffed Chard with Sweet Pepper Coulis by Jennifer at Nourishing Nutrition
Potato-Topped Baked Ratatouille by Cassandra at Chow Bella
Cashew Crusted Tofu, Vegetable Israeli Couscous, Sauteed Kale, Roasted Red Pepper Coulis by Jay from The Vegan Foodie
Springy Beet Rolls by Liz McMann at Food Snobbery is My Hobbery
Valentine’s Tofu and Noodles by Jo Stockton at It Ain’t Meat, Babe
Individual Healthy Vegetable Pot Pies by Lily from Veg*ns are Friends, Not Food
Valentine Surprise Burritos by Zoey at Zoey’s Kitchen
Finally, I have one submission that came in too late to be included in the contest:
Jenn’s Spinach, Black Bean & Rice Enchiladas with Authentic Red Sauce came in after the contest had already begun, but she put so much effort into her entry that I thought you’d want to see it.
The poll will close at midnight on Friday, February 13, 2009, and the winners will be announced the next day, Valentine’s Day. So take your time checking out the entries, but don’t take too long!
Update: The winners were posted here!
Dawn (Vegan Fazool)
How did I miss this contest? Where the was it posted? Would have loved to participate. Oh well. The entries look lovely.
SusanV
Sorry! The contest was two years ago. It used to be a yearly feature, but it got too time-consuming for me to keep up. I’ll have to think about running it again next year.
Dawn (Vegan Fazool)
Duh me, sorry Susan. I noticed the date after posting that question (of course, stupid brain!). It would be fun to do it next year (but I totally get the time issue). Fun to see all the entries, anyway.