Home-Cooked Vegan Comfort Food by Celine Steen and Joni Marie Newman {Book Review + Giveaway}

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I hope you all like these book reviews that I’ve been doing on the blog, because I have another coming up for you. And this is one that I am ecstatic about – I’ve been waiting for a book like this for ages.
I’m proud to be reviewing Home-Cooked Vegan Comfort Food by Celine Steen and Joni Marie Newman, two brilliant American vegan cookbook authors. I don’t know about you, but in my new home in Stirling, Scotland, autumn is in the air. The wind is nippy, showers intersperse the day, and I often wake up to moody clouds pregnant with hail. Yep, hail.

So even though I know it’s good to be eating salads and raw foods, really, all I want is stick-to-your-ribs, warm and cosy food. Which is where this book comes in.
And this is one bad-ass vegan cook book. Every possible argument you have ever heard from a fervent anti-vegan (‘You can only eat rabbit food’, ‘It’s not nourishing’, ‘You won’t get all your vitamins/minerals/protein/etc.’) finds the perfect in-your-face-sucker counter-argument in this book. It’s impossible to make hearty filling vegan food? Serve ‘em up some I Would Do Anything For Meatloaf or some Stewtatouille. No such thing as downright filthy vegan street food? Stuff a Sloppy Jo-Ni in that gob.
Oh and for those who thought salads can’t be comforting, think again. Salad haters will be converted to fervent preachers. I personally can’t wait to try Kale With A Kick.
It is a very American-inspired cookbook, of course. Peanut Butter Fudge, S’mores Pie, Fruity Creamsickle Whoopie Pies, are some interesting recipes you may not be too confident trying at first, but I’m sure we’ll be praising the new American cuisine soon enough.
There is something for every moment, every mood – times you feel unsociable, and times you feel generous and want to make a feast for your friends. Food for winter and for warmer seasons. Food for tears and cheers and cosy film nights. Lazy Sunday mornings and rushed but sweet breakfast on the go.
Mostly I love this book because it was written for every-day use. For food to nourish you Monday to Friday when you need it fast without compromising on nutrition, and through the weekend when you need to indulge after the long week. It was written for all vegans, newbies and veterans alike, and non-vegans too. You will impress everyonewith the meals you’ prepare from this book.
But most of all, you’ll show the non-believers this is a sustainable, do-able, and – gasp! – fulfilling lifestyle.

To whet your appetites, here is the recipe for Sloppy Jo-Nis, one that I simply cannot wait to try. My stomach is rumbling just thinking about it. Enough talk, to the kitchen!

{Recipe by Celine Steen and Joni Marie Newman}

Sloppy Jo-nis
Weeknight meals made easy, thanks to the use of the versatile TVP and everybody’s favorite condiment . . . KETCHUP! You can replace the ketchup with barbecue sauce for a tangy twist.
Note that if using certified gluten-free ingredients this dish is indeed gluten free.
Ingredients:
1 cup (96 g) TVP granules
1 cup (235 ml) vegetable broth
(Not-Beef broth works best here, but any will do)
1⁄4 cup (60 ml) vegetable oil
1⁄4 cup (40 g) finely diced onion
1⁄4 cup (40 g) finely diced green bell pepper
4 cloves garlic, minced
1 tablespoon (15 g) prepared yellow mustard
3⁄4 cup (204 g) ketchup
1 tablespoon (15 g) steak sauce
1 tablespoon (14 g) packed brown sugar (optional)
Salt and pepper, to taste
4 hamburger buns
Directions:
Reconstitute the TVP in the broth. To do this, either place the TVP and broth in a microwave-safe bowl, cover tightly with plastic wrap, and microwave on High for 5 to 6 minutes or pour the boiling broth over the TVP, cover, and let
stand for 10 minutes. The TVP will absorb all of the liquid.
In a frying pan, heat the oil over medium-high heat. Add the onion and bell pepper. Sauté for about 3 minutes. Add the garlic and sauté for about 2 minutes longer.
Reduce the heat to low and add the reconstituted TVP, mustard, ketchup, steak sauce, and brown sugar. Stir to coat, and heat through. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
Serve piled sloppily onto the hamburger buns.
Yield: 4 servings


Home-Cooked Vegan Comfort Food is out in September 2013 and is published by Quayside Publishing. Recipes by Joni Marie Newman and Celine Steen, photographs by Celine Steen. 

I AM GIVING AWAY A COPY OF THE BOOK TO ONE LUCKY WINNER! 
You have till 30 September 2013 to enter the giveaway competition by leaving a comment below. The winner will be selected at random. 
Good luck 🙂
This contest is now closed and the winner has been selected. Congratulations to ASHLEY!

13 thoughts on “Home-Cooked Vegan Comfort Food by Celine Steen and Joni Marie Newman {Book Review + Giveaway}”

  1. How have I missed this book?! I love Celine + Joni's work. I have a copy of the Complete vegan guide to vegan food subs which is great.
    This book sounds especially good going into winter, like you say.
    I'd love to win a copy. Thanks for the chance 🙂

    Like

    Reply

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