I never thought I’d say this, but I’m in the final days of finishing my cookbook manuscript and handing it in to my editor. After 15 months of testing recipes, writing, and shooting photography, I finally feel like things are coming together. Very, very slowly, mind you. I’ve shot about 50 recipe photographs so far, but that means I still have at least 50 recipes to remake and photograph. gulp, gulp, gulp. I’ve heard the editing process is pretty brutal, so I’m just taking it one day at a time and not looking too far ahead. The journey of getting my recipes to a place where I’m happy (and all my recipe testers) has taken much longer than I anticipated, but I didn’t want to rush the process. Quality over quantity, I say. If this is the only cookbook I ever write, I want it to be something I’m proud of. And seriously, it might be the only cookbook I ever write!
Anyway, I just wanted to pop in and say hello! I might not be able to post as much as I’d like to over the next couple weeks, but just know that I’m thinking of you always and looking forward to sharing some recipe inspiration as soon as I can. Right now, every creative cell in my body seems to be on hiatus, but it will recharge soon enough. Isn’t that what red wine is for??
Now for the giveaway fun! In my mind, there’s nothing better than curling up with a good cookbook and feeling more inspired with each turning page. Today’s giveaway highlights a couple awesome vegan cookbooks that I have in my collection as well as my favourite recipe creation tool that I reviewed recently – The Flavor Bible! I’m giving away all the books below to one lucky winner. If you happen to already own one or some of these cookbooks, I’ll be happy to send you an Amazon gift card instead. You decide. The books will be shipped new directly from Amazon.
In this giveaway:
Let Them Eat Vegan by Dreena Burton
Let Them Eat Vegan! is packed with 200 plant-powered recipes for the entire family. Dreena offers notes on how to modify her recipes for those with allergies or common substitution questions. Natural vegan ingredients are abundant in her recipes, many of which I already have in my own pantry. See my full review here.
Veganomicon by Isa Chandra Moskowitz & Terry Hope Romero
Veganomicon is truly a work of art. With over 250 recipes for any occasion, this is a cookbook I turn to often. Whether you’re in the mood for something quick and easy or something fancy and elaborate, this book will have it. There are also handy user-friendly guides for soy-free, gluten-free, low-fat, and quick and easy recipes.
The Flavor Bible by Karen Page and Andrew Dornenburg
The Flavor Bible, described as “the essential guide to culinary creativity”, profiles ingredients and the corresponding herbs, spices, seasonings, etc. that pair well with each of these ingredients. As someone who has grown to love recipe creation, this book is a resource tool that I turn to when I’m looking for a nudge in the right direction. When I have an ingredient in mind that I’d like to cook with, I often look to this book for suggestions of other “compatible” ingredients that I can include in the dish. For my full review, see here.
To enter: Leave a comment below and tell me what you are reading right now or maybe tell me about a book you’ve read recently that you enjoyed. If you’d like a second entry you can follow me on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, or Pinterest and leave a second comment letting me know you did so. This contest is open to anyone, anywhere and the winner will be chosen at random on Sat April 27th . Good luck!!
Please note: The links in this post are Amazon Affiliate links – if you click on the link and purchase something I will receive a small percentage from Amazon which helps support costs involved for this blog. Thanks in advance!
The tartine bakery cookbook!
The Twentith Wife. Its set in Indian in the 1700’s. Great fictional book with some great historic facts. Beautifully written. I enjoyed the book so much that I have started reading all the books by the Author.
I’m currently reading Moondust (it’s about astronauts not food…) But my go to cookbooks are How To Cook Everything by Mark Bittman (not vegan although I also have his vegetarian version but it’s still not vegan) and The Kind Diet which I got from a friend 2nd hand. I love browsing it.
Just finished the language of flowers and really enjoyed it.
Currently reading Joel Olsteen’s I Declare
I just finished Twelfth Night by Shakespeare, and liked it much better than the tradgedies my high school teachers had me read. I also recently picked up a cookbook called Green, Black, Red, which is all about using grapes in various recipes. I haven’t had much time to look at it, but the photography is good!
Born to Run. Such a good book about ultra marathoning, but a little sciencey for my tastes
I just read Complete Idiot’s Guide: Organic Living, and now I’m reading Complete Idiot’s Guide: Being Vegetarian. I wasn’t sure at first (because of the name) but they are perfect for quick reading that’s jam-packed full of info.
I just read two books by Banana Yoshimoto. ‘Goodbye, Tsugumi’ and ‘Kitchen.’ The both strongly center around loss of loved ones. Kitchen is about a girl obsessed with the comfort of kitchens who becomes orphaned and taken in by a fellow classmate and his mother. Yoshimoto always seems to pluck my heartstrings.
I’m reading The Boss Dog by MFK Fisher. I also have Dearie, a biography of Julia Child lined up next.
Blood Line by James Rollin. It keeps me guessing.
I’ve recently picked up a copy of the Medicinal Chef (Dale Pinnock) and i’m fascinated by it! Not all vegan or even vegetarian recipes but his “Anti-inflammatory Curry”, which does so happen to be vegan, is delicious!
…and who knew butternut squash had anti-inflammatory properties which can aid eczema and broccoli has chemical compounds that may even prevent cancer!
Reading “The Power of Habit” by Charles Duhigg currently – thanks for the chance to win some cookbook inspiration!
I am reading Cry,the Beloved Country by Alan Paton. It is not only beautifully written but a great redemption story. I also love reading this blog, of course! My college age daughter is going to attempt a completely vegan diet this summer and I will do that with her, so this blog will figure prominently in our planning.
Right now I’ve been reading Chloe’s Kitchen. It has some great dessert recipes! I cannot wait until your cookbook comes out!!