Now the Skinny Bitch authors are back with a follow-up cookbook called Skinny Bitch in the Kitch: Kick-Ass Recipes for Hungry Girls Who Want to Stop Cooking Crap (and Start Looking Hot!).  The new book was written up in The New York Times last week. Here’s an excerpt of that review which gives you a feel for what you’ll find in the book:

The cookbook makes little use of traditional Asian meat substitutes (there is one recipe each for seitan and tempeh) but there is a lot of frozen Italian “sausage” and vegan creamer sprinkled around. Recipes without those foods were tastier, such as spaghetti squash with spicy braised greens, raisins and nuts, a huge hit at my table because of its subtle infusion of chipotle chilies.

I thumbed through the new cookbook in an airport bookstore the other day, and I was disappointed in the lack of photos. I like my cookbooks big and glossy, with colorful, appetizing pictures to give me a better idea of what I’ll be making with each recipe. But my love of VwaV proves that photos aren’t a prerequisite for a fabulous cookbook, so there could be hope for Skinny Bitch in the Kitch yet.

Have you picked up Skinny Bitch in the Kitch? What do you think of it so far?

Post from: Blisstree

The skinny bitches are back

I made these vegan chocolate chocolate chip cookies the other day, and was again impressed. Being from the school of thought that chocolate chip cookies made with anything but real butter are a waste of time, I admit that I was skeptical going in. But these cookies were really yummy – chewy and chocolaty enough that I didn’t even miss the butter.

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Cookies for vegans

If you don’t have VwaV in your cookbook library, you can check out the PPK website for a few of Isa Chandra Moskowitz’s fabulous vegan brunch recipes.

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Vegan Sunday brunch

Today I met someone for lunch at a Japanese restaurant I’d never been to before in the business district in downtown Zurich. When the waitress brought over the extensive lunch menu, I started my usual scan for vegetarian options only to find… there wasn’t a single one. My dining companion said we could go somewhere else, but I assured her I’d find something to eat – even if I had to slap together a meal of salad, miso soup, and and a ball of sushi ginger.

When the waitress came to take our order, I explained that I was a vegetarian and asked if they had anything appropriate that wasn’t on the menu. She replied that they could do a vegetarian sushi plate, which I happily ordered. It was pretty and pretty tasty.

Moral of the story: if you don’t see anything vegetarian on the menu, ask if something can be done to accommodate your needs. Restaurants are often happy to modify an existing dish or put something different together to accommodate a vegetarian or other special request, I’ve found. Plus by asking, you are calling their attention to the fact that there really is a demand for vegetarian foods. Perhaps you’ll even inspire a restaurant to add some vegetarian options to their menu.

Have you found restaurants to be accommodating to your vegetarian requests?

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Ask for what you want

What’s so appealing about her approach is that it’s about friendly coaxing rather than angry militantism. You don’t get people to go veg*n by yelling at them about what bad people they are. Let the vegan cupcakes do the talking for you.

A couple weekends ago I brought a batch of vegan cupcakes to a brunch (at which I was the only vegetarian). They were the star attraction, and I was the recipient of much praise for my baking skills. Only towards the end did I even mention they were vegan. I didn’t set out to spread a message with my cupcakes, but I was proud that I had presented people with a delicious vegan food to try, and maybe opened their minds to vegan food just a little bit.

Do you actively try to convince others to go veg*n? What approaches do you use? What have you found successful?

Post from: Blisstree

Are you a culinary activist?

This morning I was staring at some need-to-be-used-right-now strawberries in the fridge, and decided it was time to break out the blender again. I put in a handful of strawberries, about a cup of rice milk, a splash of maple syrup, an ice cube, and a generous pinch of ground cardamom and blended away. The result was so delicious that I think I’m going to have to start using the blender more often this summer.

What’s your favorite drink to make in the blender?

Post from: Blisstree

Strawberry cardamom smoothie

Slim Goodies is immensely popular, especially for brunch, and they usually don’t take reservations. This might be one of those rare restaurants that’s actually worth the wait, though.

Tags: brunch, dining, New Orleans, restaurants, Slim Goodies, travel, vegan, vegetarian, vegetarian dining, vegetarian restaurants

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Brunch, New Orleans style

Although largely absent from European cuisine, okra is a vegetable that gets around. It originally comes from Africa, and features prominently in dishes from India, Thailand, and the southern United States, among other areas. Like most veggies, it’s chock full of vitamins and fiber and other good-for-you stuff.

I was in the mood for curry, so that’s what I made with my find. I chopped the okra (called ‘lady’s finger’ in British English) into 1/2-inch pieces and sautéed it with some onion, garlic, curry powder, and chili peppers. After a few minutes I added some tomato puree, salt, pepper, and a little water, lowered the heat, and let the whole concoction simmer for 10 or 15 minutes. I ate it straight up, but I bet it would have been delicious over some basmati rice, as well.

I loosely based my concoction on this recipe for Okra Curry. I was thrilled with the outcome – spicy and flavorful. Plus, I somehow managed to avoid the sliminess that sometimes happens with okra. I will definitely be keeping my eyes open for the next time they decide to sell okra in Zurich…

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Grand Ol’ Okra

• Vegan Lunch Box is serving up some Peanut Butter & Jelly “Pop Hearts”
• The Vegan Feast Kitchen has a dazzling array of vegan truffle recipes.
• And finally, check out FatFree Vegan Kitchen’s Vegetable Love Round-Up. Nothing says ‘Happy Valentine’s Day’ like heart-shaped croûtons!

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More Vegan Valentine Goodies

That doesn’t mean you can’t give chocolates to your favorite vegan this Valentine’s Day, though. Fortunately there are chocolatiers who pay attention to these things. You can find a list of dairy-free chocolates at Vegan Family’s Chocolate Room or check out a gourmet supplier such as Chocolate Decadence in the US or A Lot of Chocolate in the UK.

And if you can’t find vegan chocolates to buy on such short notice, you can always make them yourself (the extra effort involved is sure to win you some points, too). Try these recipes for vegan truffles and fudge.

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Vegan Valentines