Some days or weeks are imprinted in my memory forever and this was certainly one for me. Wednesday evening I received a call from my editor. I assumed that the call was simply to talk over the logistics of my upcoming radio tour, but it was much more than that.
“Angela, we just found out that you made the NEW YORK TIMES Bestseller List!!!!”
She put me on speakerphone and the whole team was gathered in the room cheering about the exciting news. It was a moment I will never forget. I still can’t believe it!
After the call, I “casually” walked downstairs trying to keep my cool so I could surprise Eric with the news. I had a funny grin on my face (you know when you are half-smiling, but on the verge of bursting into tears?) and he knew something was up. I started to speak, but the tears just welled up in my eyes and my voice couldn’t get anything out. Typical pregnant lady, I am! Poor Eric was worried that something horrible just happened until I was finally able to tell him the news. Immediately after, I called my mom and she started to cry too which then made the pregnant lady tear up again! Oh boy. I guess the apple doesn’t fall too far from the tree…
None of this would even be remotely possible without your support. Thank you for telling others about the cookbook, sharing pictures on social media, posting reviews, and believing that vegan recipes are something to be excited about! Many of you have told me that you gifted copies to family and friends and that couldn’t be more exciting to hear as an author. I feel so inspired to keep creating and I have so many fun ideas spinning in my mind for the future.
Anyway, the NYT list will appear in the Sunday April 6th paper. I’m going to try to locate a copy somewhere in the GTA!
I couldn’t think of a better time to indulge in a pregnancy craving! As if I needed an excuse. To be honest, I’ve been all about the savoury/salty cravings lately (such as my Lightened Up Crispy Baked Fries), but when I saw Cara‘s banana split recipe I made a mental note to make one as soon as possible. I think I even had a dream about it!
We each grabbed a spoon and devoured this heavenly treat in a flash. [Strangely enough, Eric has been getting “pregnancy cravings” too. I think they are contagious…you were warned.]
Featuring all new, protein-packed salads, hearty toppers, flavour boosters, and dressings you'll want to drink, my new cookbook will transform the way you think about salads. Oh, and be sure to flip to the back for a surprise dessert chapter!
The Big Vegan Banana Split
Yield
serves 2
Soak time
30 minutes
Prep time
Cook time
0 minutes
Total time
This vegan banana split is a lovely special dessert for two. One dish, two spoons...what could be better? Feel free to change up the toppings as you see fit. I’ve included what I used below, but I didn’t bother putting specific amounts so just add as much as you’d like. The chocolate date sauce is not to be missed. Even if you just make one thing out of this recipe, make the chocolate sauce. It’s amazing on ice cream or just by the spoonful. I expect it would be great on top of brownies too. The banana split is inspired by Forks and Beans and the chocolate sauce is adapted from Southern In Law.
Ingredients
for the chocolate date sauce (adapted from Southern In Law):
- 1 (15-oz) can full-fat coconut milk
- 6 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1/2 cup tightly packed pitted Medjool dates (110 grams)
- 1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- pinch of pink Himalayan sea salt or fine grain sea salt, to taste
for the banana split:
- 1 large Banana, sliced in half lengthwise
- 2 small scoops vegan ice cream (I used Coconut Bliss Cherry Amaretto)
- Chocolate date sauce (recipe above)
- Strawberry Chia Seed Jam (from The OSG cookbook)
- Toasted sliced almonds
- Non-dairy chocolate chips or raw cacao nibs
- Coconut whipped cream
- All-natural sprinkles
- All-natural maraschino cherries or fresh pitted cherries
- Ultimate Nutty Granola Clusters (from The OSG cookbook)
Directions
- Soak the pitted dates in a bowl of water for 30 minutes, or until super soft. Drain. You can probably skip this step if you have a Vitamix and are using soft dates to begin with (I did).
- Add all the sauce ingredients into a high speed blender (including the entire can of coconut milk). Blend on high until super smooth. Adjust to taste, if desired. If it's not sweet enough you can always add more pitted dates.
- Refrigerate until ready to use. It will firm up in the fridge a bit so you can melt it over low heat on the stove top if desired or just enjoy as is. Store in the fridge for up to 2 weeks.
- Prep all of your desired toppings in advance.
- Place the sliced banana in a large oblong bowl (or simply any old bowl will do!).
- Add a couple scoops of ice cream and a dollop of coconut whipped cream.
- Add the rest of your desired toppings and enjoy immediately!
Tip:
For the Coconut Whipped Cream recipe, see this post.
For the Strawberry Chia Seed Jam recipe, see page 287 in The Oh She Glows Cookbook.
For the Ultimate Nutty Granola Clusters recipe, see page 31 in The Oh She Glows Cookbook.
The brand of all-natural maraschino cherries I used is Tillen Farms.
The brand of all-natural sprinkles I used is Let's Do Organic!
I have some new Oh She Glows Virtual Cookbook Tour posts to share:
Note: If you’ve posted a review be sure to tweet me the link and I will add it to my list!
Emily @ The Kitchn
Ellie @ Homemade Hearts
Ricki @ Rickiheller.com
Jayne @ Miss Jayne Becca
Last but not least, thank you for your comments on this week’s baby news post and for making a special time even more exciting for us! I was especially happy to read that many of you are also expecting a baby this year (and some close to my own due date). Congrats to all the mama-to-be’s!
WOW, congratulations! What a huge dream and accomplishment!
Hi Angela,
Congratulations on the NYT best sellers list, and the baby!
Just as an FYI – you can pick up the NYT at any Chapters/ Indigo. You can call ahead to make sure they hold a copy for you. :)
All the best!
Oh thanks for the tip!! I didn’t know that. :)
Congratulations on another exciting development! That has to be an incredible feeling :)
Meanwhile, I’m not pregnant, but I feel like I need that banana split in my belly right now. I’m going to have to add in another workout this week to help justify it! Thanks for sharing.
Holy congrats! Such amazing news, and so well deserved – I’m a long time reader of the blog and a new owner of your cookbook and love what you do.
A big congrats to you, and a huge smile on my face that veganism is gaining speed/popularity thanks to delicious recipes like yours! xo
Congratulations! You and your book so deserve this. Your recipes are pure genius.
Congratulations! So happy to see all your hard work resulting in well deserved recognition.Kudos to Eric for being such a willing tester for all the wonderful recipes too!
Whoo-hoo!
WOW. This is such a pretty sundae!! I love it!
A teary and proud congratulations to you! See, we love you here!! :-)
Now, on to the sundae. A big, fat YES PLEASE!
“and believing that vegan recipes are something to be excited about!”
Yes! I think this why your cookbook is on the bestseller list. You’re spreading the light & love of good, compassionate, healthy food in such a beautiful way. I’m so happy for you.
Now, please, please tell me (or maybe you have in another post?), have you had much fatigue or morning sickness? I’ve marveled at how much you’ve been able to do & accomplish in your first trimester. I’ve said this before, but I’m a junk-food eating slug my first trimester & there’s nothing I can do about–I’ve done it 5 times, & every time I have this hope that “this time it will be different” but it never is.
Also, you are positively glowing in those pregnancy pics you shared earlier (no pun intended). Congrats on making the NYT best seller list. It couldn’t have happened to a more deserving person.
ox
Thank you Janae, you are too kind my dear!
I had a rough first trimester in terms of extreme fatigue and all-day nausea. Those were my biggest complaints and I’m still struggling with it right now, but a bit less severe. Some days I could barely peel myself off the couch. I’m so happy the first tri is over though! I’ll be writing about my experience in an upcoming post.
WOW! That will be so exciting to see in print! Your a great example of “do what you love” :)
*you’re…this iPad drives me crazy :D
CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!!
NYT best seller list? That’s amazing. This sounds silly since I don’t actually know you, but in all seriousness, you’re absolutely remarkable and deserve every bit of success coming your way. You just seem so humble about everything, and apart from having many of the most delicious recipes I’ve tried, your passion and compassion shine through on your blog daily. Major hats off to you, and all of your readers celebrate your success with you!
I think the contagious pregnancy cravings are totally legit, because while I have also been craving salty/savory things, my husband has had wackier cravings than me. I’m pretty sure he’s also nesting. ;-)
Anyway, this banana split looks to DIE for, and I’m seriously questioning if I ever need dairy again.
“I’m pretty sure he’s also nesting” that’s hilarious! I can’t wait to see if Eric does…especially because we are moving soon!
Thank you for your kind words and support!
Having just discovered your blog I am a bit late to your party but WELL DONE YOU. That must be an amazing feeling and it’s hard work keeping a blog together as well as everything else (I KNOW) so congratulations. I loved reading about your reaction. And this banana split looks delicious. How is it possible to make a medjool date anything without eating them first?
{*}
Oh you totally eat some on the side! Or is that just me…? ;)
Congrats! I am not surprised to hear about the news since yesterday my boss came up to me and said “Jen! I found this great new cookbook that is totally up your alley! I made this green monster…” I knew right away she picked up your book. XD I can safely say I adore your site and I love how great each recipe is. There are so many blogs where I made a recipe with disappointing results. Never here.
Congrats, Angela! That is amazing! I just wanted to say that you have been so inspiring to me over the past few months. I am currently in treatment for EDNOS and was looking for a healthier way to eat. My doctor wants me to eat more healthy fats several times a day but had no clue how to do it. I had gone so low fat that I lost about 1/2 of my hair! I’ve been making your recipes and they have been helping so much – I made your dreamsicle smoothie just this morning with extra avocado and it was so good! Thank you for putting your story out there and for inspiring me and so many others. Thank you also for providing recipes that are healthy and not restrictive like so many other bloggers. I appreciate it more than you can imagine.
I’m so happy to hear you are on the road to recovery Ali. You deserve all the credit for your progress, but I’m happy that I could play a part in your journey! Good luck with everything!
Hi Angela & Ali: I’ve been reading this blog in silence for a few months. I’ve been planning at some point to write a message/comment with a proper introduction (so you have some clue of who i am!) but feel moved to add 3 simple comments now:
For Angela:
1. Congratulations! (on everything – from book to baby to banana splits!)
2. Thank you for everything you write/say/do. Your words, story, and recipes are a growing (and much needed) source of positivity, inspiration and creative spirit. I’m excited to open the amazon box that just came today. :-) <3
For Ali:
Ditto. xx
Congratulations Angela!!!!!!!! That is seriously awesome, amazing news! Take in the moment- that is such a wonderful accomplishment.
Thes split looks amazing and the pictures are gorgeous. Bravo!
xo, Lauren
alovelysideproject.wordpress.com/
Congrats!! Totally the top-rated cook book in my collection too these days!! The banana split looks great…makes me want hot summer days to get to Wisconsin!!
Congratulations! You really deserve it. You’re book is wonderful.
I can’t say I am surprise! Your recipes are amazing and I bought your book as an early birthday present as I couldn’t wait any longer and knew it wouldn’t disappoint. Congrats on all your big news!
Congratulations! You surely deserve it :)
Congratulations! So well deserved. Your recipes are a joy to create and share, and you inspire me in so many ways :) x