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!

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Good Luck!

-Ashleigh