The Urban Vegan

Is there anyone still checking in and reading my blog? If you are, please leave a message to let me know. It's been a long time since I've posted and I have a feeling I don't get much traffic here anymore. I have been very lax at updating, I know. It just seems like there is always so much going on. I was getting too long with my posts and it would take me hours to put one together. It got to the point that it seemed to be such a daunting task, that I just let it fall by the wayside. So, I'd like to get back at it, but keep the posts shorter and more frequent.

This is a post I've been meaning to do for a while - over a month now, YIKES! A year ago, I was lucky enough to participate in some recipe testing for my friend, Dynise Balcavage. She is an incredibly talented woman who put out a call for help for testing recipes for a new cookbook she was putting together. I was very eager to lend a helping hand. You may remember some of my previous posts showcased some of the dishes I tested. I even made guinea pigs of my friends & family last year at Christmas dinner by incorporating some of Dynise's recipes into the repitoire.

Finally, in October, after much hard work on Dynise's part and much anticipation on everyone else's part, the book was released!

Gorgeous cover! So bright, vibrant & cheery - much like Dynise herself. This cookbook is fantastic! The layout is fun & funky. Aside from traditional chapters like salads, soups, and dessert (oh my! the desserts!) Dynise has also given us chapters "All-Night Breakfast at the Diner", "Happy Hour" & "The Melting Pot". This book is hip, not the same ol' same ol'. There is a great introduction and a list of basics for an urban vegan pantry. Variations are included for a lot of the recipes, so you can make them according to what you have on hand and your own personal tastes. There are even menu ideas. Tidbits of interesting facts & wisdom are scattered throughout the book. But the best part....the end results!

Blueberry Banana Bread

Moist & delicious!

One of the recipes Jim listed as a favorite was this one -

Chickpeas with Tomatoes and Spinach

This was one of my very favorites and might even battle for top spot. Couscous Mosaic. OMG! This is sooo delicious!

Island Gumbo

Pumpkin Risotto with Sage and Sun-Dried Tomatoes

Pear-Pepper Chutney which is yummy on it's own and is also used in this -

Elegant Lunch Sandwich. So fancy! Rich & delicious. This is sure to impress.

Farfalle with Fennel - different and so tasty.

This isn't the best picture, but what it's a picture of is the best - Dijon Vinaigrette. This was such a hit with Jim & I, that it is now our "house dressing".

It lifts a basic green salad to new heights! It's also good on green beans.

I have other scrumptious photos to show you, but I'm trying to keep these posts manageable for a quick-ish read. Watch this page for more! And please, if you're still keeping up with me, just a quick comment. Even a "hi" will suffice.

By the way, if you'd like to order Dynise's book, go here if you're in Canada

Go here if you're in United States.