Gift-ivism Season is Upon Us! (A Vegan Food Gifts Giveaway)

Photo by Celine Steen

Gift-ivism
gif·tiv·ism ˈgif tə vizəmˈ
noun: the policy or action of using vigorous gift giving to bring about political or social change. In the case of vegan food gifts, to prove vegan foods can be delicious and fun, and that it is not necessary to kill or torture another living being in order to make a tasty meal or treat.

It's that time of year. The time where we are faced with buying, making, or in any case, giving gifts. I remember being a kid and absolutely thinking how wonderful it was to have a big family, because I got so many presents!  I mean, with divorced parents, I had two families, which meant I had two Christmases! (What's plural for Christmas?) The first year I celebrated Christmas as an adult, living in my own apartment, I had a complete emotional breakdown, because it wasn't until then, had I realized how hard it was on everyone to give so many gifts.

Pumpkin Cheesecake Pie

Pumpkin Cheesecake Pie
This bad boy has been in my repertoire for ages, and it never disappoints.  Creamy and pumpkin-y and autumn-y and cinnamon-y and nutmeg-y. It has all of the goodness that is required of a dessert worthy of a holiday feast.  Oh, and it's mega easy to make, to boot. (Oh, and hey, if you use a gluten free crust, this one is totally easy to make gluten free.)

A Vegan Thanksgiving Feast in Under an Hour?

Maybe you are the only vegan in the household this Thanksgiving?  Maybe this is your first year hosting a Thanksgiving in your home?  Maybe you aren't so surefooted in the kitchen and are nervous about pulling off the perfect meal?  Or maybe you have to work Thanksgiving day (like me!) and can't figure out how you are ever going to be able to make a full on vegan feast after a full day at work? I give you a Vegan Thanksgiving Feast ready in under an hour!  

I did a trial run last night to make sure that it still tasted home made, because a lot of this meal is made from a package.  But guess what?  This semi-homemade feast had all of the flavors and practically none of the fuss of a scratch-made Thanksgiving.

So what do you need to make a full on vegan Thanksgiving meal in under an hour?

Veg Subs 2 Sneak Peek: Potacos!

Potacos! Photo by Celine Steen (from The Complete Guide to Even More Vegan Food Substitutions)

You asked, and I listened.  Narrowly beating out Cheese Ball, Potacos was voted the most wanted sneak peak recipe from The Complete Guide to EVEN MORE Vegan Food Substitutions by the always amazing Celine Steen and me. (Now available for pre-order!)

Cooler Fall Weather Means it's Time for Comfort Food: Country Fried Seitan Steaks with Mashed Potatoes and Pepper Gravy

One of Dan's favorite pre-veg meals was chicken fried steak and mashed potatoes.  The mashed potatoes are easy, replace the butter with Earth Balance, and the milk with Almond Milk.  But making a Dan approved chicken fried steak was a bit more challenging.

The Complete Guide to *Even More* Vegan Food Substitutions

I am pretty sure that I have already announced that Celine and I were working on a follow up to The Complete Guide to Vegan Food Substitutions, but I thought I would share a few photos and ask you to tell me which of the following recipes you would like me to share as a super sneak peak now that we have turned in our final manuscript and are working on the final edits.

Julie Hasson's Vegan Casseroles: Book Review, a Recipe, and Two Giveaways!

Vegan Casseroles: Pasta Bakes, Gratins, Pot Pies, and More by Julie Hasson

There are so many vegan cookbooks out now.  I have a 3 foot tall stack next to my desk waiting for review.  No joke.  And I am sure they all have some amazing recipes in them.  I mean, I probably wouldn't have bought them otherwise, right?  (Well, actually, I think I may have a real problem.  I buy way too many vegan cookbooks.  I just can't help myself.  I need them.  I love them. I bring them into the bathtub with me for a romantic read. I whisper sweet nothings to them every night before I go to bed.)  In all seriousness, I love supporting other vegan cookbook authors, and I want them all to be successful.

Well, Hello!

Just a quick check in now that we've all had a chance to breathe after MoFo.  Oh my, wasn't is an epic year?  So many blogs, so much good stuff.  I am still reading through posts that I missed during the month.

A few updates on what's happening in the world of JustTheFood and Joni Marie in general:

If you didn't know already, I have moved back to the city.  I had a great time in Trabuco Canyon for the past 6 years, but it was time for Dan and I to be amongst people again. So we are back home in Long Beach, right where we belong. And, oh man, do I love it.  I am close to everybody and everything...except work...but that's okay, I was used to a long commute before we moved, so no big deal.  Best thing about the new house (besides that it's ours) is that it has gas.  I know that sounds silly, but for someone who loves to cook, having to cook on an electric stove at home for the last 6 years has been awful.  Now, I have a brand new stove with gas burners.  So. Very. Stoked.

Vegan MoFo VIII, Day 29: Falafelogs with Cucumber Relish

Falafelogs with Cucumber Relish from Going Vegan (page 108)

Am I the only one who thinks falafels are the WRONG shape to put in a pita?  Screw tradition and make your falafels into wieners.  I mean, Oktoberfest, am I right?  This recipe is packed full of flavor, is soy free, nut free, and has no added oil or sugar.  If that's your jam, cool!  If not, trust me, this recipe is still yummers.  Come on guys, you think this girl was going to write an oil free, sugar free recipe that didn't pass the Joni-loves-to-add-Earth-Balance-or-Vegenaise-to-everything test?

Vegan MoFo VIII, Day 25: Garlic Orange Brussels Sprouts (and a giveaway!)

Garlic Orange Brussells Sprouts from Fusion Food in the Vegan Kitchen (page 125)

Tonight you get two recipes (from Fusion Food in the Vegan Kitchen: 125 Comfort Food Classics, Reinvented with an Ethnic Twist!) for the price of one.  A wonderfully delicious recipe for brussells sprouts that makes a great side dish, plus a kick-ass recipe for Garlic Orange Sauce that tastes great on just about anything...tofu, seitan, brussells sprouts (duh) and works great as a dipping sauce for egg rolls and other finger foods.

Vegan MoFo VIII, Day 24: Walnut and Currant Vaganzola

Walnut and Currant Veganzola Balls from 500 Vegan Recipes (page 90)

Before there was Daiya or Miyoko Schinner's Artisan Vegan Cheese many of us were busy in the kitchen creating our own cheese-like concoctions to spread on crackers.  This recipe is one of those concoctions.  Unlike many home made cheeses that require agar powder, fermentation time, or lots of specialty ingredients...this one is ready to enjoy in under 30 minutes!

Vegan MoFo VIII, Day 22: Green Castle Sliders

Green Castle Sliders from The Best Veggie Burgers on the Planet (page 87)

Today's recipe comes from The Best Veggie Burgers on the Planet: 101 Globally Inspired Vegan Creations Packed with Fresh Flavors and Exciting New Tastes.  It's a testament to the fact that great things come in small packages.  These little sliders are so cute, and they just happen to taste good too.  Dress 'em up any way you want to.

Vegan MoFo, Day 19: Cajun Red Beans and Rice

Cajun Red Beans and Rice Mix form Vegan Food Gifts (page 105)

Today's recipe is from Vegan Food Gifts: More Than 100 Inspired Recipes for Homemade Baked Goods, Preserves, and Other Edible Gifts Everyone Will Love. And while it's true that this jar of goodness makes a yummy gift, it's also true that these types of mixes also make for great pantry staples.

Vegan MoFo VII, Day 17: Curry Tofu and Arugula Salad

Curry Tofu and Arugula Salad from
The Complete Guide to Vegan Food Substitutions (page 177)

Man, I don't know about all of you, but where I live we are experiencing a late summer heat wave like we haven't had in YEARS.  Hovering around 104 since Saturday. Sheesh.  You better believe no ovens are getting turned on around here. And if I can help it, no stove either!  This recipe from The Complete Guide to Vegan Food Substitutions: Veganize It! Foolproof Methods for Transforming Any Dish into a Delicious New Vegan Favorite is quick and easy, and requires no cooking.

Vegan Mofo VII, Day 16: Fusion Rice Bowl

Fusion Rice Bowl from Fusion Food in the Vegan Kitchen (page 69)

You guys!  Last night I went to Terry Hope Romero's Authors Worth Celebrating dinner at Mohawk Bend in LA.  So good.  A trio of salads, from her new book Salad Samurai: 100 Cutting-Edge, Ultra-Hearty, Easy-to-Make Salads You Don't Have to Be Vegan to Love, followed by a luscious Ethiopian Spiced Chocolate Flourless cake from Vegan Eats World: 300 International Recipes for Savoring the Planet.

One of the courses was the Polish Summer Soba Salad, which was a fusion of summer flavors.  I don't really like beets, but this salad was probably my favorite dish of the night...even with the beets! I was cracking up when Terry was talking about it and asked if it was still cool to say "fusion."  I hope so, Terry!  I hope so.

So with fusion on the brain, I thought it appropriate to share today's recipe from Fusion Food in the Vegan Kitchen.  This one is a bowl.  Most of my favorite bowls come in bowl form.  And I am giving y'all a few options for the sauce on this one, too.  Technically, you get 5 different recipes from the book in one post. You're welcome.

Vegan MoFo VII, Day 14: Mexican-Style Dipping Sauce for Corn (and a giveaway!)

One of my favorite things to do on a Sunday, is to go to the swap meet.  Are swap meets a thing everywhere, or just in Southern California?  (I think lots of places have them, but they have different names like open air markets, flea markets, bazzars, etc...).  My most favorite swap meet is the Santa Fe Springs Swap Meet.  It's full of bargains.  This morning I got 24 pairs of earrings, a pair of shoes, 3 pairs of socks, a set of adorable nail decals, a bag of duritos (a pinwheel shaped fried wheat snack), and the best glass of lemonade I've ever had, for a measley $12.50!

Vegan MoFo VIII, Day 12: Kahlua Ice Cream

Kahlua Ice Cream from 500 Vegan Recipes (page 486)

I'm not gonna talk too much about this recipe...because KAHLUA and ICE CREAM!  I you want to make the sundae as shown, you can use THIS recipe for the cake, then top with your favorite chocolate sauce.

Vegan MoFo VII, Day 10: Potato Cheese Soup

Potato Cheeze Soup from Cozy Inside

Cheeze?  Oh, geez.

There was definitely a time when I thought it was super cute to purposely misspell the names of foods that were vegan versions of non-vegan foods, like cheeze and creem.

Yeah. I don't do that anymore.

Spelling it wrong, is like admitting that it's not real food, and vegan food is far from being fake.

Vegan MoFo VIII, Day 8: Red and White Quinoa Kale Salad

Red, and White Quinoa Kale Salad  from Going Vegan (page 111), photo by Celine Steen

Today's recipe comes from my newest release, Going Vegan: The Complete Guide to Making a Healthy Transition to a Plant-Based Lifestyle, featuring photos by Celine Stten, and written along with my friend, nutrition expert and food scientist, Gerrie Lynn Adams.  Gerrie is "one of those" vegans. One who cooks without added sugar, oil, or salt. Since you know me, you know that is certainly not my way of cooking...or eating. But, Gerrie knows what she's talking about! As a food scientist and nutritionist, Gerrie has taught me so much about how one can cure what ails them through the food choices that they make. And I was honored to be able to teach Gerrie about some of the horrors of factory farming, animal rights, and the effects animal agriculture has on our environment. And that is exactly the point of this book.

Vegan MoFo VIII, Day 7: Key Lime Coconut Cream Pie

Key Lime Coconut Cream Pie from Fusion Food in the Vegan Kitchen (page 164)

And, the first full week of MoFo comes to an end.  I think that deserves a piece of pie!  With tropical storms looming all around Baja and Southern California, I figured a Key Lime Coconut Cream Pie from Fusion Food in the Vegan Kitchen: 125 Comfort Food Classics, Reinvented with an Ethnic Twist! would fit the bill nicely.

So many times I have been asked, "Which one of your books do like the most?" and like a good mommy, I reply, "That's like asking me to choose which child I love most."  But, I will let you in on a little secret...it's this one.  This was the first time I did a book that did not utilize ANY store bought substitutions, like mayo, or cream cheese.  Everything in this book is made from scratch, and it is really representative of how I love to cook and eat.

Vegan MoFo VIII, Day 6: Bloody Mary Mix

Bloody Mary Mix from Vegan Food Gifts (page 173.)  Photo by Celine Steen 

Today's recipe is just in time for a Sunday morning hangover cure.  The Bloody Mary.  And it comes to you in the form of a gift from Vegan Food Gifts: More Than 100 Inspired Recipes for Homemade Baked Goods, Preserves, and Other Edible Gifts Everyone Will Love. A book I wrote to bring my two most favorite things in the world (crafting and cooking) together as one.

Vegan MoFo VIII, Day 5: Crispy Glazed Cherry Pie Bites

Crispy Glazed Cherry Pie Bites from Hearty Vegan Meals for
Monster Appetites AKA Home-Cooked Vegan Comfort Food (page 245)

Today's recipe comes to you from a book that is full of "Lip-Smacking, Belly-Filling, Home-Style Recipes guaranteed to Keep Everyone-Even the Meat Eaters-Fantastically Full"  That's right, good old Hearty Vegan, the big book of BIG recipes that everyone who tried any of the recipes from it loved it, but very few people bought it.  Maybe "Monster Appetites" weren't a very good demographic to go after in a vegan cookbook audience?  Maybe it was the lack of pictures on the cover? I don't really know.  What I do know is this book is absolutely full of recipes guaranteed to please the palate. (But, please, use it sparingly, because they will also expand your waistline! Seriously, this book is full of deep fried deliciousness and greasy goodness.)  So we rebranded it.  She got a new name, Home-Cooked Vegan Comfort Food: More Than 200 Belly-Filling, Lip-Smacking Recipes, and a new cover.  Same recipes inside, she just got a new pretty dress.

Vegan MoFo VIII, Day 4: Crab Cakes

Today's recipe comes from a book I started writing right after I self published Cozy Inside, called Just the Burgers, you know, because this blog is called Just the Food...  The book was pretty much done...the testers had given me their names and pictures, and I was almost ready to self publish again. 

Hey testers...I finally got to post your pictures!

It was then that I got the call to begin work on 500 Vegan Recipes, and soon after, The Complete Guide to Vegan Food Substitutions, with Celine, so the burger book got put on the back burner. As written, the book was never published.  However, I was able to submit the idea to Fairwinds Press, and they decided they would like to publish it under the new name of The Best Veggie Burgers on the Planet: 101 Globally Inspired Vegan Creations Packed with Fresh Flavors and Exciting New Tastes which is quite a mouthful...But I thought it was cute, and we moved forward.