Author: Lindsay Ingalls

1st Annual Vegan Valentine Contest

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This is my first Vegan Valentine Contest and the theme is FIERY.

Contestants were asked to create an appetizer, entree and/or dessert that embraced the theme of fiery AND Valentine’s Day and were given the following hints to help them create their dishes:

fiery |ˈfī(ə)rē|
adjective ( fierier , fieriest )

  • consisting of fire or burning strongly and brightly : the sun was a fiery ball low on the hills | [as submodifier ] figurative afiery hot chili sauce.
  • having the bright color of fire : the car was painted a fiery red.
  • (of a person) having a passionate, quick-tempered nature : a fiery, imaginative Aries.
  • (of behavior or words) passionately angry and deeply felt : a fiery speech. hmmmm maybe a narrative of some sort?

Contestants were allowed to enter one recipe per category and you the readers are going to vote for the winner for each category.  You will also be given the opportunity to let me know which recipe you think should win overall; I will be making the final decision but would love your input.  If there happens to a tie in any of the categories the Hubz will be the tie breaker.

Below you will find the photo, recipe name, creators name and a link to the recipe URL.  You are allowed to vote for each category as well as for the overall winner.  Before you vote please consider the following things:

  • Does the recipe embrace the FIERY theme?
  • Does the recipe embrace Valentine’s Day?
  • Is this a dish you would create for a loved one on Valentines Day?

Happy voting!

Voting will be open until February 13, 2011 at 9pm EST.CLOSED

Appetizer

Kaycee’s Jalapeno Poppers– WINNER!!!

With no other entries Kaycee has won the appetizer category! Congrats!

Entree

The Perfect Pizza – Shane’s Red Hot, Heart-Shaped Pizza

Noelle’s Spicy Tomato Alfredo Pasta

Dessert

Abigail’s Chipotle Cherry Chocolate Truffles

Nicole’s Chili Cheesecake in the raw

Kaycee’s Fiery Chili Chocolate Red Velvet Cake Pops

Shannon’s Fiery Valentine Vegan Fudge


Recipe that Most Embraced the themes

Winner TBA

E-Book Testimonials

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Cooking for Friends & Lovers

“I was impressed by the innovative, creative combinations of ingredients and textures in Lindsay’s recipes, all of which are easily accessible to the home cook. The baked spinach and artichoke dip was creamy with very little fat (and no soy!) and the sloppy split pea sandwiches were a huge hit with my picky hubby. I absolutely loved the entire section on sushi (the fig & pear sushi with strawberry cashew dip was my favorite)–what a great idea to take sushi and revamp it with flavors from other international cuisines!  These recipes provide a huge variety of flavors and approaches from breakfast to dinner and everything in between.  From banana bread protein pancakes to creamy miso pasta bake to sweet potato red lentil dal or skinny blood orange margarita, you’re guaranteed to find something that will be a hit with each member of the family!”

-Ricki Heller, PhD, RHN

Author of Sweet Freedom: Desserts You’ll Love without

Wheat, Eggs, Dairy or Refined Sugar

  • Honorable Mention in the Cuisine Canada 2010 Culinary Book Awards!
  • one of only three cookbooks recommended on Ellen DeGeneres’ website!

Blog: http://dietdessertndogs.com

Cookbook: http://dietdessertndogs.com/cookbook

Facebook: www.facebook.com/dietdessertndogs

Twitter: @rickiheller

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“This e-cookbook contains a wonderful selection of vegan eats that I will enjoy cooking and serving to those I love.  Lindsay’s culinary creativity shines in some great new plant-based recipes that are already favorites in our house as well as fun twists on old favorites, like the delicious Avocado Tofu Benedict.  We loved the interesting variations of veggie sushi and I have already served it a few times to the delight of my guests.  I’ll be revisiting this e-book over and over again.”

– Wendy McDaniel, tester

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“Wow, that’s what I said after every bite. The recipes in Lindsay’s eBook are amazing. I was really impressed by the complex layers of flavours. These dishes would be perfect to serve at a fancy dinner party, a living-room picnic with your kids, or for a delicious evening at home, alone.”

– Lisa Pitman, Tester

Fiery Vegan Valentine Contest Entry

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Tomorrow I will announce the contestants of my Fiery Vegan Valentines Contest.  There are three categories Appetizer, Entree and Dessert.  For more details about the contest and how to enter (you have until midnight tonight Feb 10, 2011) please go here.

Below are a few entries that have been submitted by  a contestant without a blog; see below.

Dessert Category

Abigail’s Chipotle Cherry Chocolate Truffles

  • 1/4c Dried cherries
  • Enough kirsch to cover and masacate
  • 1 c full fat coconut milk
  • 1 t sp + 1/2 tsp chipotle powder, separated
  • 8 ozs extreme ly dark chocolate
  • 8 ozs semi sweet chocolate
  • 1/2 c cocoa powder

Put cherries in a small bowl and cover with kirsch to soften.meanwhile …bring  coconut milk to boil, and add  1/2 tsp chipotle powder.simmer for 10mins.while the milk is simmering, break chocolate into small pieces, addto  bo wl.add the heated milk to chocolate, cover with press n seal, let sit for 30 mins.meanwhile …puree the cherries and kirsch.then stir chocolate, and place in fridge for at least 1hr to “firm up”add remaining chipotle powder and cocoa to a shallow dish, like a pie plate.take the chocolate out of fridge.using a tsp scoop some out, place some cherry puree in the middle and quickly roll into ball.it helps to add some cocoa powder to your hands.then roll into the prepared cocoa powder. Continue , then place in fridge until ready to devour.

Here are sneak peak links to the other entries:

E-Book #2 Released!

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With the help of my testers I am happy to say that my second e-book is now released! I was lucky enough to have a group of dedicated testers who worked so hard that I was able to release this e-book a month earlier than planned.

For my second e-book I decided to create a broader range of recipes that can be enjoyed with friends, families and for special meals.  In the book you will find a selection of delicious breakfast items, appetizers, sushi rolls, pasta dishes, entrees & sides and adult beverages.

BUY NOW!

Additionally if you do not have a copy of my first e-book, Soups, Stews & Chili, this is your chance to get both e-books for the reduced rate of $10.99 (regular price $13.90)- see the side bar

Please note that when an order is placed you will receive the e-book within 24 hours.

Sweet, Spicy and Creamy

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In honor of my Fiery Vegan Valentine Contest I decided to try out a few new spicy recipes that I have been working on.  Of course I am not entering these recipes into my own contest but if you are looking for some delicious spicy recipes to heat up your Valentines Day meal (or any meal) try these yummy recipes.  I have received a number of great recipes for the contest and there is still time to enter!

Spicy Asian Pear BBQ Sauce

Yields 1-1.5 cups

Ingredients:

  • 1/2 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 medium asian or bosc pear, peeled & seeded, diced small
  • 1 jalapeno, minced
  • 1 tbsp black sesame seeds
  • 1″ ginger, peeled and minced
  • 1/4 cup +1 tbsp lite soy sauce
  • 1 tbsp rice vinegar
  • 1 tbsp agave
  • 2 cloves minced garlic

Directions:

  1. Heat the olive oil in a medium sauce pan over medium-high heat and stir in the pear, jalapeno, sesame seeds and ginger; saute for 5-7 minutes until lightly caramelized.
  2. Stir in the 1/4 sup of soy sauce, rice vinegar and agave; bring to a boil, reduce and simmer until the liquid has reduced by half.
  3. Transfer the mixture to a food processor, add the remaining soy sauce and the garlic and pulse until smooth.

Slather tofu, seitan or tempeh with this sauce and bake in a 400F oven for 20-30 minutes until lightly browned.

Almond Butter Sauce

Yields 1-1.5 cups

Ingredients:

  • 1/2 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 small yellow onion, diced small
  • 3 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1″ ginger, peeled and minced
  • 1/2 tbsp chili flakes
  • 2 tbsp lite soy sauce
  • 3/4 cup coconut creamer or coconut milk
  • 3 tbsp almond butter
  • 1 tsp sriracha
  • 2 tsp lime juice

Directions:

  1. Heat the olive oil in a medium sauce pan over medium-high heat and stir in the onion saute for 5-7 minutes until softened.  Stir in the garlic, ginger and chili flakes and cook for 2 minutes.
  2. Whisk in the soy sauce and cook for 1 minute.
  3. Whisk in the coconut creamer, almond butter and sriracha; whisk until smooth.
  4. Whisk in the lime juice. Remove from heat.

Serve this sauce hot or cold over tofu, seitan, tempeh, toss it with noodles or use a dipping sauce for veggies.

I tossed mine with whole wheat spaghetti, shredded kale, green onions and julienned carrots.

Soy-Sesame Broccoli

Yields 4 servings

Ingredients:

  • 1 tbsp lite soy sauce
  • 1 tbsp black sesame seeds
  • 1 tsp toasted sesame oil
  • 4 cups broccoli florets

Directions:

  1. Pre-heat oven to 400F. Toss the veggies with the soy sauce, sesame seeds and sesame oil.
  2. Pour the broccoli onto a sheet pan and bake for 25-30 minutes until florets begin to brown.

    Weekend Wrap Up

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    This weekend was a fairly busy and yet uneventful one and I could really go for an extra day off.

    Friday was a ridiculously busy day- none of which did I make time to capture in photographs- but it started with a frustrating morning at the dealership where I went to get my oil changed and it turned into a whole big, extra long mess.  Then it was off to work later than planned to finish a grant proposal that was due at 5pm.  I had a later day at the office than usual but was able to finish the application and get it sent off at 3:40pm! Following that I had to pick up the Hubz and head to the hospital to visit my mom who was having out-patient surgery on her knee.  After our brief visit and long day the Hubz and I were ready for a margarita and portobello fajitas.

    Saturday was as little bit more relaxed; we spent most of the day at home working on our projects. We stopped around noon and decided to try out this Vegan Harvest pizza from American Flatbread that I had picked up on a whim.

    The verdict: the pizza was meh-okay.  The Hubz and I both though the crust was delicious but that’s a given because American Flatbread has the best crust.  The pizza overall was greasy and really lacked in flavor.  It had a tiny bit of sauce on it and a ton of Daiya.  I would have liked to have seen vegetables on the pizza and a few more herbs.  Overall I don’t think we’d buy this again because we can make a veggie filled home-made pizza for the same that it costs us to buy this frozen pizza.

    The Hubz went snowboarding with a friend on Sunday so I spent the entire day working on edits for my e-book that will hopefully be released on Tuesday or Wednesday! Fingers Crossed! Here is a sneak peak

    Also don’t forget that you still have until February 10th to enter the Fiery Vegan Valentine Contest! You can enter for all three categories!