2 Southern California businesses I support with my consumer dollar

I've been working a lot lately.  And I have to commute pretty far, so I really appreciate every dollar I earn.  So it's that much more important to me where I spend my dollars.  I want to make sure that I am supporting companies that have a passion and a goal to not only sell a cool, useful, or tasty product, but to make the world a better place in the process.  I also want to try to support local business whenever possible, so I am excited to pimp out these 2 local SoCal upstarts, who do just that.



Sugar Beets Bakery, in Chino, is a gluten free vegan bakery that is outta this world.  Gina is a master in the kitchen and bakes up gf goodies that are so moist and gooey and delicious you would never guess they were wheat free.  She has recently opened up her doors for walk in business on Thursdays an Sundays.  I was there this morning and got 2 boxes full of ahhhh-mazing goodies.  Donuts, cookies, cupcakes and brownies to be exact.  (I foresee many extra miles to be run this week to make up for it, too!) Visit her website for hours, menus, and more information.



Arm the Animals, out of Long Beach is a T-shirt company with a simple mission.  Provide financial support to struggling no-kill animal shelters.  The shirts are really cute too.  Lots of colors and fun designs that make a statement.  Check out their website for more info or to check out where they'll be setting up shop next.

Veggie Awards!

Celine and I have been nominated for a Veggie Award in the Favorite Cookbook Author category!  It is such an honor to be nominated, but could you imagine if we actually won?

The coolest thing is, if you vote, you could win too!  So click on the vote button below, and vote for us!

It's County Fair Season!

And that means, it's time to get some deep fried deliciousness.  Thank goodness for Hearty Vegan Meals for Monster Appetites because that book is full of deep fried goodness.  But nothing says county fair like funnel cake, so here is one straight from the book with a simple and fun recipe for some home made and VEGAN funnel cake!

Home made funnel cake topped with jam and powdered sugar.

These are easier than you might think to whip up in less than 20 minutes! Unless you have mad skills with a real funnel, I suggest you use a plastic bag, and snipping the corner off. A deep fat fryer works well here, but if you don’t have one, a pot filled with about 3 inches (7.5 cm) of oil will do the trick nicely.

Funnel Cake
oil for frying
1 1/4 cups (156 g) all-purpose flour
2 tablespoons (25 g) sugar
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/8 teaspoon salt
1 cup (235 ml) soymilk
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
powdered sugar for sprinkling
jam, optional

Preheat oil to 350°F (180°C).
While oil is heating whisk together remaining ingredients until smooth in a medium mixing bowl. It should be the consistency of a thin pancake batter. Transfer batter to a resealable plastic bag.
Snip a corner of the plastic bag and quickly swirl about 1/4 of the batter into the oil.
Allow to fry for about 1 to 2 minutes then carefully flip using a slotted spoon.
Continue to fry another 1 to 2 minutes until golden and crispy.
Carefully transfer to a plate lined with paper towels to absorb excess oil.
Repeat with remaining batter.
While stil warm, sprinkle with powdered sugar and jam, and serve.

Yield: 4 (4-inch, or 10 cm) funnel cakes

Hearty Vegan Meals for Monster Appetites, French Toast, and a GIVEAWAY!

Hearty Vegan Meals for Monster Appetites by Celine Steen and Joni Marie Newman

Hearty Vegan Meals for Monster Appetites...It's out!  Yeah, I know...already?  I could hardly believe it myself!  But it's true, and this hefty tome full of lip smacking, belly filling, home-style recipes, guaranteed to keep everyone (even the meat eaters) fantastically full, is now available through all the regular channels, like Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and of course, my favorite, HERBIVORE!

A little bit about this book...besides the fact that Celine has totally outdone herself with some of the most amazing photos you'll ever see...it's totally full of comfort foods.  Lots of deep fried deliciousness, lots of heavy sauces, lots of foods you might find yourself noshing on at a state fair.  We've never claimed that this was a health food book, only that it is full of cruelty free recipes that are sure to please even the pickiest of carnivores.  This is the book you can turn to when you are cooking for your in-laws for the first time to prove that you aren't starving your spouse by feeding them only twigs and berries.  This is the book you can turn to when you are craving that doughnut, and aren't anywhere near Voodoo!  This is the book you can turn to when you want a vegan version some crazy fast food concoction (read: the KFC Double Down).  You know, the stuff you know you shouldn't, couldn't, or wouldn't eat everyday, but know that it's important to indulge every now and again.

And because I know times are tough...how about I give a couple away?  Just leave a comment letting me know what your favorite pig-out food is, and I will pick out 2 at random on Saturday night (July 9, 2011 at 9 pm PST) to send a free copy.  (YES, I will ship internationally.  I only ask that those of you who enter the giveaway, please check back to see if you have won, because otherwise I have no way of getting in touch with you to send you your book!) 

CONTEST NOW OVER!  CONGRATS TO THE WINNERS:
 #47 that would be fries. Although i'm very into choclate cake at the moment. By Katharina H.  on 7/7/11
and#12  Oh, this is weird: in theory, I always want scalloped potatoes, and then I make them and don't love them so much. I think this would change if I had your cookbook and the scalloped potato pie which I am dying to try. Until then, the other thing I really love to pig out on is tacos! By celyn  on 7/6/11

KATHARINA H. and CELYN:  Please send me an email to joni@justthefood.com with your snail mail address so I can send you your books!


And just to give you a taste of the hearty goodness you'll find inside, here is a freebie from the book:

The Captain's French Toast (page 23 in HVMFMA)

The Captains French Toast

As far as actual Cap'n Crunch goes, you do not need the real thing...although it does appear to be vegan, it does contain an insane amount of weird things in the ingredients, so try using a natural variety such as GORILLA MUNCH, if for no other reason then it has such a cool name!

2 cups (72 g) sweet corn cereal such as Cap'n Crunch, crushed into a powder
1/2 cup (62 g) all purpose flour
1/4 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
1 cup (235 ml) vanilla flavored nondairy milk
6 slices of stale fench bread about 1/2 inch (1.25 cm) thick
3 tablespoons (42 g) nondairy butter for frying

Mix together crushed cereal, flour, baking soda, and baking powder in a shallow dish. Mix in milk to make a thick batter.
Preheat a frying pan on high heat. Melt some butter in the pan, use about 1 tablespoon (14 g) for every 2 slices of french toast.
Coat each piece of bread with the batter. Since the batter is thick, you may need to help to smear it on the bread with your fingers.
Pan fry for about 2 minutes per side, or until golden and crispy.
Serve hot with pure maple syrup.

Yield: 6 slices

Treehuggers and Seabirds

Last night I released my inner hippie and spent the evening at the Treehugger's Ball. in Silverado Canyon.  It's not often that there are events in my neck of the woods, let alone an event that has a message that I can really get behind!  The event is a fundraiser and outreach for the Canyon Land Conservation Fund, an organization dedicated to preserving the last remaining wild lands on the western edge of the Cleveland National Forest in Orange County, California. They also work to protect the wildlife and endangered species native to the area.

The evening was full of music (bluegrass, blues, even a Grateful Dead cover band!), food, guest speakers, and eco-friendly companies spreading the word.  One of the highlights was the Seabirds Food Truck.  I was super stoked to get my hands on their Beer Battered Avocado Tacos, and a side of sweet potato fries.  SO YUMMY! 

Seabirds Vegan Foodtruck...the first and possiblky ONLY vegan food truck in the OC.

 The featured guest speaker of the evening was Daryl Hannah.  And since it was such an intimate event, I was able to meet her (and give her a copy of The Best Veggie Burgers on the Planet!)  She is such an awesome woman.  So nice, so friendly, and so passionate about what she believes in.

Me and Daryl Hannah at the Treehugger's Ball

Visit Daryl Hannah's website DHlovelife, to view lot's of videos and learn about her passions and activism with regards to all types of eco related issues.

Happy Mother's Day (and congrats to the winners!)

Happy Mother's Day to all of the moms out there.  Keep doing what you do, because we all need great moms!

And congratulations to the winners of the cookbook and Tshirt giveaway Friday night:

#23, Sarah

and #37, DJ

I need your mailing addresses and for you to tell me what color and size tsirts you want!  Woo-hoo!

Viva La Revolucion! (a cookbook an t-shirt giveaway)

I am so excited.  I literally started working on this book over 4 years ago.  It is very satisfying to actually see it finally make its way into this big bad world.  So, I made some t-shirts to celebrate.

Want one?  How about a copy of the book?  Leave a comment telling me your favorite burger eating memory, and on Friday, May 6, at 7 pm (PST) I will choose 2 winners to receive a free copy of the book, and a t-shirt!    Contest now over.  Congrats to DJ and Sarah!

By the way, there are lots of colors and styles (both men's and women's) of the t-shirst.  Check 'em out HERE!

And of course, if you are interested in The Best Veggie Burgers on the Planet, well then, you can click HERE!

And if you just want a really tasty burger, just keep reading!

Bacon Cheeseburgers



Okay, this delves into the little bit crazy category. But you know what? These babies taste so good and they are extremely hearty and thick, so they hold together very, very well. One really amazing thing about these is that my very-much-not-a-vegetarian husband took a bite and said, and I quote, “You have a winner here!” Oh my gosh, I almost fell over. I also had a few open-minded omni friends over one night and they agreed. The consensus was that they taste almost exactly like a Carl’s Jr. Western Bacon Cheeseburger.


Serving Suggestion: I suggest these be served with a dollop of barbecue sauce and a few onion rings, with some baked beans on the side.

1 cup (100 g) TVP granules
1 scant cup (225 ml) vegetable broth
1/4 cup (25 g) imitation bacon bits, store-bought or homemade (page XX)
1 cup (144 g) vital wheat gluten flour
1/4 teaspoon liquid smoke
1/2 cup (60 g) nutritional yeast
1 tablespoon (8 g) garlic powder
1 tablespoon (8 g) onion powder
1/4 cup (64 g) peanut butter
1/4 cup (60 ml) pure maple syrup
1/4 cup (60 ml) vegetable oil
1/4 cup (68 g) barbecue sauce, store-bought or homemade (see below)
Salt and pepper
Oil, for frying (optional)

In a large microwave-safe bowl, mix together the TVP granules and the broth, cover tightly with plastic wrap, and cook in the microwave oven for 5 to 6 minutes. Alternatively, bring the broth to a boil, pour over the TVP granules, cover, and let sit for 10 minutes. Let cool.
Add the bacon bits, flour, liquid smoke, nutritional yeast, garlic powder, onion powder, peanut butter, maple syrup, oil, barbecue sauce, and salt and pepper to taste to the bowl. Knead together for at least 5 minutes, then let sit for a few minutes to thicken up.
Form into 4 patties. Refrigerate or freeze until ready to use.
Use your method of choice for cooking: Panfry in oil for 3 to 5 minutes per side over medium high heat, or until a nice crispy crust forms. Or bake them at 350 (180 C, or gas mark 4) on a baking sheet lined with parchment or a silicone baking mat, uncovered, for 30 minutes, flipping half way through. Also, these are very sturdy and hold up just fine on the grill.

Yield: 4 burgers

Imitation Bacon Bits
*Wheat-free
I love a challenge, so when asked about the hydrogenated fats in imitation bacon bits, I started on a quest. I normally don’t buy premade meat analogs anyway, so why not figure out how to make these little bits of bacon-y goodness on my own? Of course, buying a jar of Bac-Os is still the easiest. But, if you are a smidge adventurous, try this.

2 tablespoons (30 ml) liquid smoke
1 scant cup (205 ml) water
1 cup (100 g) TVP granules
1/4 teaspoon salt
A few drops vegan red food coloring (optional)
3 tablespoons (45 ml) canola or other vegetable oil

To a measuring cup, add the liquid smoke, then fill with the water to get 1 cup (235 ml).
In a microwave-safe dish, combine the liquid smoke mixture, TVP granules, salt, and food coloring, if using. Cover tightly with plastic wrap and cook in the microwave oven for 5 to 6 minutes. Alternatively, bring the water to a boil, pour over the TVP granules mixed with the salt, mix in the liquid smoke, and red food coloring if using, cover, and let sit for 10 minutes.
Preheat a frying pan with the oil.
Add the reconstituted TVP to the pan and toss to make sure it all gets coated with oil.
Panfry until desired crispness. Stir often. You don’t necessarily want to brown them, but rather dry them out, about 10 minutes.
Allow to cool completely before transferring to an airtight container. Store in the refrigerator. Should last at least a week, but probably much longer.

Yield: About 1 cup (100 g)

And the winner is...

#65
JoAnn!

JoAnn said...

"Rice krispie treats!!! Random but deeeelish!"

Congrats JoAnn, I hope you love the book as much as I do!  Please send me an email with your mailing address so I can send you your book right away!

Cooking Class & Demo on Monday: Vegan Easter Feast!

This coming Monday, I will be doing a cooking class and demo at the Whole Foods Market in Torrance, California.

We will be making a Vegan Easter Feast, featuring the wildly popular Seitan En Croute!

Complete 5 course meal to include:
Green Salad with Creamy Vegan Ranch Dressing
Stone Ground Mustard Roasted Brussel Sprouts
Seitan en Croute (Like a Beef Wellington, but VEGAN!)
Piled High Strawberry Pie
...and just for fun, a vegan version of Cadbury's famous Creme Eggs!



For more info & to RSVP CLICK HERE!

Cookbook Giveaway! Quick and Easy Vegan Bake Sale by Carla Kelly

Well it's that time of year.  Spring is not only synonymous with flowers and birds and rainbows and unicorns, but it's also when vegans all over the world join forces to participate in the Worldwide Vegan Bakesale!



So it is the perfect time to arm one of you with a free copy of Carla Kelly's adorable new book Quick & Easy Vegan Bake Sale: More than 150 Delicious Sweet and Savory Vegan Treats Perfect for Sharing



This book is awesome.  It's full of both sweet and savory recipes designed specifically for bake sales.  I was really excited about the savory recipes.  (Check out the Roasted Garlic and Peppercorn Crackers on page 236!)  Personally, whenever I bring savory items to a bake sale, they always sell out.  Sometimes people want more than just cupcakes and cookies.  But don't discount the sweet recipes in this book, because they rock!  I really like the Carrot and Pineapple Scones (page 77) and the Orange Chocolate Chip Cookies (page 130).  In addition to the great recipes, the book also has a great intro to baking and a chapter on holding the perfect vegan bakesale!

Leave a comment telling me your favorite treat to make (or buy!) for a bakesale, and on Sunday, April 17th at 7pm (PST) I will choose a winner to receive a copy of this awesome book.  Yes, I will ship internationally.   Giveaway now over.  Congrats to JoAnn #65!