It’s present time!!!
Okay, so the food highlighted in this post all come from a new cookbook – The Jazzy Vegetarian Classics: Vegan Twists on American Family Favorites.
And one lucky reader will get their very own copy to make fun and awesome (and healthy!) vegan eats!
The book is by Laura Theodore who is much more than a cookbook author. She’s the host of the Jazzy Vegetarian TV show on Public Television, hosts a weekly podcast called “Jazzy Vegetarian Radio”, and has been featured on several major networks and publications. Oh, and on top of all this, she’s an award winning jazz singer!
This book is certainly jam packed with awesome recipes and tips, but there are two things that set it apart for me. The first is that she has an entire chapter dedicated to menus. Most people don’t eat a single thing at a meal, and when you’re having guests, a full menu from beverages to dessert are important. It’s also nice to take some of the planning out of making a meal! Laura put together 10 sample menus (all with recipes from her book, naturally), that can inspire different gatherings. The Lunch Brunch, Portable Picnic, and A Taste of Italy have been my favorites. The second thing she does is pair each menu with a jazzy playlist! I think that’s a fun a whimsical addition to a “simple” cookbook!
Okay, so on to the grub! I made several recipes from this book including Red Quinoa, Avocado, and Chickpea salad, Coconut-Encrusted Tofu Cutlets, Paprika Roasted Cauliflower, Easy Vegan Paella, and Cinnamon-Maple Mini Muffins. Everything turned out great and the family enjoyed.
Reprinted here (with permission) is the recipe for the muffins. They were a big hit with my kids, and didn’t last long!
Cinnamon-Maple Mini-Muffins
Makes 12; Nut Free
Ingredients
*1 cup whole-wheat flour
*1 tsp baking powder
*1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
*1/8 tsp sea salt
*1/2 cup raisins
*1/3 cup + 1 tsp nondairy milk
*1/3 cup maple syrup
*1 tbsp exta-virgin olive oil
Directions
*preheat oven to 375 F. Oil a 12 cup mini-muffin tin.
*combine dry ingredients, then fold in the raisins.
*stir in the wet ingredients, and mix until just incorporated. The batter will be quite thick. Don’t over mix or the muffins will be tough.
*divide the batter into the prepared tins. Bake 25-30 minutes, until golden and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
*let cool for 15 minutes. Serve warm or at room temp.
So, if you’re interested in this musically inspired cookbook, please just leave a comment on this post indicating you would like to be entered into the drawing. A winner will be picked and announced in one week (4/20/14).
I would LOVE to win this!
yay! and you are now entered. good luck!
Music and good food? What could be better. I love the idea of pairing good music with a good meal and vegan too! Please enter me in your wonderful giveaway.
my dear, you are entered! And yes – I found the combination quite fun.
I’d love to be entered to win this book!
Thanks Melissa! You’re entered!
I would love to win this book! My sister is having a bridal shower soon and this would be the perfect gift for her (after I check it out, of course!)
well of COURSE you’d have to check it out first! That’s just being a good sister 🙂
You are entered!
I’ve not heard of her. I can’t believe I’ve missed her show. I scour PBS all the time looking for cooking shows. That cauliflower looks so good. I’m a little obsessed with cauliflower right now. Did you use a paella pan or a regular pan? Paella intimidates me too. I think it’s because of the pan LOL.
I used a regular (though big) skillet. It was SO easy, I was surprised. I love cauliflower too. We had it grilled last night, and I was in heaven.
I’m so interested in this cookbook. I’ve been cooking more since I started my gluten-free diet, and need a book like this. I know it’s a vegetarian recipe book, but a lot of times vegan/vegetarian meals coincide with gluten free meals!
You are entered! I’ve been working towards “gluten-lite” – hoping to go gluten free one of these days. I agree that vegan recipes are often easy to de-glutenize (is that a word?!).
It is now! 😀 I’m hoping a gluten free diet will help my MS symptoms and an assortment of other health issues… My aunt has pushed me into it and I’m feeling better than ever!
Good for her, and you! I have RA, and reducing gluten has definitely had a positive impact. It’s usually harder when I travel, but most days I’m GF. I wish I had more willpower to do away with it once and for all!
It can be hard, but I realized that even if I traveled, I decided to order a burger, I can usually force myself not to eat the bun, lol. Although it’s probably not the best idea if you don’t actually know what’s in the ingredients, haha
Congratulations! You have won the drawing!!! Please email me your name and address to runcrissierun@gmail.com, so I can have the publisher ship out your copy!
I’d love to win this! The recipes sound yummy!
you bet, you’re entered!
would love to win this book.
Hi Carol! Unfortunately, the contest closed April 20th, but thank you so much for reading! Laura’s book is available on Amazon!