Free Stuff Friday: My Sweet Vegan Cookbook! May 2, 2008

Posted by Ashleigh at May 2, 2008 10:41 AM | Permalink | Comments ( 220 ) | TrackBack

Hannah Kaminsky is a girl I would have loved to have gone to high school with. Why? Because during her senior year she created seventy-seven original recipes, tested them all, and photographed the finished product to make one amazing cookbook: My Sweet Vegan.

Not only would I have been honored to call such an ambitious girl a friend, but I would have loved trying out all the amazing recipes that made it into the book!

I want to share a Q&A with Hannah so you can learn more about this sweet vegan . . .

When did you start baking?

I would occasionally help my mom in the kitchen when I was much younger... she would measure everything out and work the oven, while I handled the mixing duties. However, my solo baking adventures began around the age of fourteen, when I became vegan.

What was it that made you decide to go vegan?

I began experimenting with vegetarianism when I was a freshman in high school, but before I knew it, I was enmeshed in the issues of animal rights. I decided that no matter how hard it might be to make the transition, I wanted to do all I could to help the cause. To my great surprise, I had no trouble at all going vegan! Not once have I ever regretted that decision, either.

What is your favorite recipe?

While it's really hard to pick favorites, one that I find myself making over and over again is the Root Beer Float Cupcakes. Most people are just curious about how they will taste, but once they trial a bite they get hooked on the flavor and can't get enough of them! Beyond these cupcakes, the Green Tea Tiramisu is one of my personal favorite indulgences.

Chocolate or vanilla?

Oh man, tough one... When manipulated properly, both can be incredible flavors that go well with just about everything else. Seriously, don't make me choose! Can't we all just be friends and bake a marble cake instead?

Pies or cakes?

Cake, definitely. I love pie just as much as any other baked goods, but the extra step of making a crust can sometimes be a real pain. But . . . if we're talking about a graham cracker crust, then that's a different story altogether.

Cupcakes or cookies?

Honestly, after making so many thousands (probably millions, even) of cupcakes, I am starting to get a bit tired of them. Cookies take my vote right now, but of course that could change with little persuasion.

Any advice for the novice vegan baker?

I know that this has been said countless times before, but the best advice I can give is to be unafraid and try things out. Don't know how to replace the eggs? Who cares! Look around your kitchen, find things of similar textures, nutritional profiles, chemical properties, anything, and just give it a shot. No one has a definite answer as to what makes great vegan baking, just like regular baking, so never close your mind to the many possibilities that exist in terms of ingredients and methods. Most importantly though, make note of your mistakes so that you can improve upon them and start cranking out awesome baked goods!

What's next for you?

I just started attending UMass Amherst, so a few more years of school lie ahead. However, whenever I'm lucky enough to get a ride home for the weekend, I go straight into the kitchen to work on my second dessert cookbook! There are so many exciting things brewing right now, I just can't wait to see where it all leads.

Wouldn't you want her to go to high school with you too? I want her to work for PETA and be my friend and teach me how to use my oven! But until that happens I am going to devour My Sweet Vegan and start baking! One lucky boy or girl will win this beautiful cookbook and join me in the adventures of vegan baking! To win, comment below with whether you like cake or pie better. I ALWAYS choose cake. What's better than frosting?

This contest ends May 16, 2008 and the winner will be chosen and notified by May 23, 2008!

Just so you know...by commenting here, we're taking that as acknowledgment that you've read and agreed to our privacy policy.

Also by commenting, you are agreeing to the following terms and conditions.

Good Luck!

-Ashleigh

We Need Your Help! April 23, 2008

Posted by Ryan at April 23, 2008 5:01 PM | Permalink | Comments ( 2 ) | TrackBack

It's finally happening! peta2 is working on a brand-new vegan cookbook, specifically focusing on SIMPLE, and EASY recipes. Here's where you come in! We're looking for creative and delicious vegan recipes that we can use in the book!

peta2 staffers have already contributed our part. Check out this amazingly simple recipe Lara donated!

Pancake in a Mug

1/2 cup Bisquick
1/4 cup Soymilk
Vegan Butter/Margarine
Maple Syrup

1) Mix Soymilk and Bisquick together in a mug
2) Microwave for about 1 1/2 minutes
3) Add vegan butter and maple syrup
4) Enjoy!

Get the idea? So send all of your ideas and recipes (as many as you have) to peta2@peta2.com. Make sure to include your name, address, and email address, so that we can verify that the recipe is all yours! :)

Come on, blog-readers, don't let us down!

- Ryan!

Cookbook Contest for Hungry Banditos! October 9, 2007

Posted by Lara Sanders at October 9, 2007 2:57 PM | Permalink | Comments ( 6 ) | TrackBack

Hot Damn and Hell Yeah: Recipes for Hungry Banditos/The Dirty South Vegan Cookbook is the best cookbook I have laid eyes on since Vegan Cupcakes Take Over the World! With recipes like Southern Fried Tofu and Party in Your Mouth Cake, can you really argue with me?

Actually, it is a split of two cookbooks (double the fun): Hot Damn and Hell Yeah: Recipes for Hungry Banditos is by Ryan Splint and The Dirty South Vegan Cookbook is by Vanessa Doe. Thank goodness those two got together for the very important mission of getting the word out about the wonderful world of Southern vegan cuisine.

Recently, PETA's road warrior Lindsay tried out some of the mouth-watering recipes in the cookbook. Here is a pic of the cooking process...

And here are the results!



Hungry? I am! If Lindsay didn't live all the way in Louisville, KY, I would try to steal those biscuits from her. Fortunately for you, you don't have to resort to such measures—we are giving away two copies of the cookbook right here!

All you have to do for a chance to win is leave a comment below with your favorite vegan recipe!

The contest ends on October 30th, and the winner will be notified by November 6th.

xoxo,
Lara

P.S. Just so you know...by commenting here, we're taking that as acknowledgment that you've read and agreed to our privacy policy.

P.P.S. Also by commenting, you are agreeing to the following terms and conditions.