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The Engine 2 Cookbook Review & Giveaway!

January 17, 2018 by Epicurean Vegan

Engine 2 Cookbook -- Epicurean Vegan

CONGRATS TO TIYA WHO WAS OUR RANDOMLY CHOSEN WINNER! Thank you to everyone who commented!

I had the opportunity to review The Engine 2 Cookbook by Rip Esselstyn and his sister, Jane Esselstyn. You probably recognize Rip Esselstyn as the former firefighter and triathelete featured in the 2011 documentary, Forks Over Knives. He is also the son of Dr. Caldwell Esselstyn, a plant-based physician and author.

So what’s Engine 2? In 2003, one of Rip’s co-workers at the Engine 2 station in Texas discovered he had high cholesterol, so Rip convinced the entire team to switch to a plant-based diet in order to help his colleague. And it worked. One chapter in this book is dedicated to discussing what’s killing over 50% of firefighters a year. It’s not fire-related. It’s heart disease, something that can be reversed, with a “plant-strong” diet.

Chapter two covers the guidelines of The Engine 2 diet: no animal products and added oils, sweeteners, and sodium. It also gives readers the essentials for a plant-based kitchen from pots, to pans to produce to spices.

The book, which is full of high-quality photographs of many of the recipes, offers the following recipe categories:

Breakfast
Sauces, Spreads, Salsas, Dressings, Dips, and Hummus
Appetizers and Sides
Salads and Croutons
Soups and Sandwiches
Suppers and One-Bowl Meals
Desserts

I tried several recipes and I have to say, they were all delicious.

Folded Chickpea Omelets, page 50. Delicious! However, learning to flip the omelet without destroying it, is going to take some practice. The batch is said to make 2 large omelets, but I found that to be a bit too much. I think 4 smaller omelets is ideal. The Husband went rogue and made a scramble out of his. Overall, a winner. I’d make these again for sure.

Engine 2 Cookbook -- Epicurean Vegan

The OMG Walnut Sauce, page 57. It lives up to its name. Used it as a dip for crackers. So garlicky, but delicious and incredibly simple to make.

Thai Peanut Butter Sauce, page 64. I made this for a get together with friends and we enjoyed it with veggie dumplings. A big hit with everyone!

“Kale, Caesar!” Salad, page 136 + Sandy’s Caesar Dressing, page 92. Outstanding! It’s probably my new favorite Caesar dressing and the cooked onions are an excellent touch.

Engine 2 Cookbook -- Epicurean Vegan

Green Lightening Bowl, page 199 + Lightening Dressing, page 91. Another flavorful winner. I really liked how easy this was to make and the dressing is tangy with some zip–perfect.

Engine 2 Cookbook -- Epicurean Vegan

Mac-N-Cash, page 235. I made this version of mac-n-cheese with the broccoli, but not the optional collard greens. The flavor is really great and The Husband and I agreed, that the more we ate it, the more we liked it. We both also thought it would have been better to steam the broccoli first, not add it raw as the recipe says. It just didn’t soften enough in the baking process. We loved the corn in it though–a fabulous combo with the pasta.

There are so many other recipes I’m anxious to try such as, Raspberry Pudding Crumble Parfait, page 253; Big Hit Waffles, page 32; Texas Armadillo Tater Tots, page 108; and Sweet Potato and Shiitake Soup, page 161 (to name just a few).

All in all, I highly recommend this cookbook. The recipes are accessible with easy-to-find ingredients, and will probably impress the pants off of any meat-eater. It is available on Amazon for around $18, but you can win one here!

Simply leave a comment by Sunday, January 21 and you’ll be entered into a random drawing to win a copy of The Engine 2 Cookbook! Good luck!

Disclosure: Although the cookbook was provided to me for free to review, that in no way influenced my opinion.

Filed Under: Product Reviews Tagged With: cookbook review, Engine 2, Engine 2 Cookbook, Giveaway, Rip Esselstyn

And the winner is . . .

April 7, 2014 by Epicurean Vegan

Congrats to Scout and Bodhi who won a copy of The Oh She Glows Cookbook!

Thank you to everyone who visited and entered!

The Oh She Glows Cookbook -- Epicurean VeganAnd by the way, I also made the Fiesta Taco Potato Crisps that are on page 85 and brought them to a get together. Everyone (including us) declared they were the Best. Appetizer. Ever. I made them again last night when my Mom came over for dinner. Again, Best. Appetizer. Ever.

Fiesta Taco Potato Crisps from The Oh She Glows Cookbook -- Epicurean VeganThanks again, everyone!

Filed Under: My Vegan Life Tagged With: Fiesta Taco Potato Crisps, Giveaway, The Oh She Glows Cookbook, Vegan

Empowered Noodle Bowl + A Giveaway of The Oh She Glows Cookbook!

April 3, 2014 by Epicurean Vegan

The Oh She Glows Cookbook -- Epicurean VeganI was thrilled to have an opportunity to post a recipe from Angela Liddon’s The Oh She Glows Cookbook AND be able to give a copy away to one lucky reader! I’ve been glued to this cookbook since I received it because not only is it full of beautiful photographs (about every recipe has a pic), but the recipes look downright delicious. Like Liddon, I had some unhealthy eating (or should I say, not eating) habits before I went vegan. I can truly say that a vegan diet saved my life. This is a great cookbook to have in your collection because it is full of tasty, healthy recipes that use only whole, minimally-processed ingredients. If you’ve been a fan of the Oh She Glows website, you’re going to love this cookbook with 75 brand-spankin’ new recipes, plus 25 updated reader favorites. So if you want to win this beautiful cookbook, leave a comment; it’s that easy! You have until midnight (PST) on Sunday, April 6. I’ll announce the winner on Monday, April 7th. 

Empowered Noodle Bowl -- Epicurean Vegan

You’ll love Liddon’s Empowered Noodle Bowl, two ways: Thai Peanut & Orange-Maple Miso on page 153. I decided to make both dressings and honestly, I can’t tell you which one is my favorite; they’re both delicious. The Thai Peanut is thicker with some garlic kick, whereas the Orange-Maple Miso is a tad thinner and milder. They’re both easy enough to make, so why not do both? This is a fantastic lunch or light dinner, that comes together rather quickly. I like how the veggies take precedence over the noodles—it’s not a heavy pasta dish, but rather, a bowl of fresh veggies with some noodles thrown in and coated with a tasty dressing. A winner for sure.

Serves 4
INGREDIENTS
Thai Peanut Sauce
1 large garlic clove
2 Tbs toasted sesame oil
3 Tbs natural smooth peanut butter
2 tsp grated fresh ginger
3 Tbs fresh lime juice
2 Tbs + 1 tsp low-sodium tamari
1-2 tsp granulated sugar
Orange-Maple Miso Dressing
3 Tbs light miso
2 Tbs rice vinegar
1 Tbs toasted sesame oil
1 Tbs tahini
1/4 C fresh orange juice
1 Tbs water
1 tsp maple syrup
Salad
4 oz gluten-free soba noodles
Extra virgin olive oil, for the noodles
16 oz bag frozen shelled edamame, thawed
1 red bell pepper, diced
1/2 English cucumber, diced
1 carrot, julienned
4 green onions, chopped
1/4 C cilantro, chopped
Sesame seeds, for serving

DIRECTIONS
To make the Thai Peanut sauce, combine all of the ingredients in a food processor and blend until completely smooth. Do the same for the Orange-Maple Miso Dressing.

Empowered Noodle Bowl -- Epicurean VeganCook the noodles according to instructions on the package (5-9 minutes). Drain, rinse under cold water and transfer to a large bowl. Drizzle with a little of the olive oil, then toss with the veggies and dressing of your choice. Top individual servings with sesame seeds and enjoy! If you like the looks of this recipe, you’re going to want this cookbook, so leave a comment and you just may get it! Good luck!

Empowered Noodle Bowl -- Epicurean VeganWith the Thai Peanut Sauce
Empowered Noodle Bowl -- Epicurean VeganWith the Orange-Maple Miso Dressing

 Reprinted by arrangement with AVERY, a member of Penguin Group (USA) LLC, A Penguin Random House Company. Copyright © GLO BAKERY CORPORATION, 2014.

Filed Under: Dinners, Dressings/Condiments, Lunches, Sides Tagged With: buckwheat, easy, Empowered Noodle Bowl, fast and easy, Giveaway, Oh She Glows, Orange-Maple Miso Dressing, soba noodles, Thai Peanut Sauce, The Oh She Glows Cookbook, Vegan

12/12/12 and a Giveaway!

December 12, 2012 by epicureanvegan

As you probably already know, you won’t see dates likes today repeat themselves again this century, so enjoy it! So far, it’s shaping up to be interesting. Our hot water heater went kaput this morning 🙁 The good news (and hopefully it goes well) is that the Eighth Grader gets his braces off today! Caramel apples, anyone?

I thought I’d pass along this great giveaway that my friend from Hooked and Happy is offering.

YPic_APRIL-PC_20121212-101347

She’s giving away a copy of Clean Eating 3!

Clean-Eating-3-Cookbook

Contest ends in 2 days, so get those entries in—you know you want the recipe for vegan Coconut Cream Pie!

Filed Under: My Vegan Life Tagged With: Clean Eating, Clean Eating Cookbook, contest, Giveaway, Hooked and Happy

Win a copy of Peas and Thank You!

March 4, 2012 by epicureanvegan

My good friend Carolyn at Hooked and Happy is giving away another copy of Peas and Thank You. Head over to her great blog and enter to win this fabulous vegan cookbook! Good luck!

Filed Under: My Vegan Life Tagged With: Giveaway, Hooked and Happy, Peas and Thank You

Win a Copy of Peas and Thank You!

October 25, 2011 by epicureanvegan

I wanted to take this chance to introduce a friend of mine. Carolyn and I met many years ago during a novel-writing class and we’ve been (writing) pals ever since.  Over at Hooked and Happy, Carolyn is giving away a copy of Peas and Thank You, a vegan cookbook! Click HERE to enter for your chance to win.

Spend some time at Hooked and Happy—it’s full of fun, witty, and practical ideas, recipes, and musing!

Filed Under: My Vegan Life Tagged With: Giveaway, Hooked and Happy, Peas and Thank You

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The Epicurean Vegan is devoted to those wanting to eat healthy, save animals, and reduce their carbon footprint. My decision to go vegan started out as a quest to get healthier, but the more I learned about veganism, the more I realized how damaging the meat and dairy industries are to the environment and, of course, the animals. And it is for these reasons, that I would never go back to eating or wearing animal products. Ever.
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