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!
Congratulations! Thank YOU for making vegan meals so fun and tasty!
It’s really a great and useful piece of information. I’m happy that you shared tis helpful information with us.
Please keep us up to date like this. Thank you for sharing.
Congratulations Angela! You deserve it! Such great news.
That’s such amazing news! I’m so happy for you!! You very much deserve it. (:
I’ve been following your journey for years & I’m so proud of you. You are an amazing lady and you have inspired me in so many ways! Peace to this new journey.
Congratulations Angela! You definitely deserve every success you have! You inspired be so much, I even started a blog after seeing yours!
Congrats again – i’m glad you’re celebrating with a big vegan banana split!
Anisa – The Macadame. xx
creamstop.com
Congratulations! I also live in the GTA and my mom bought me a copy of your book as a present for doing well in my first semester of college.
I love your work!
Congratulations, Angela! That’s wonderful news!
Congtatulations! Well deserved! I hope that you will be signing copies in Ottawa when your book tour is re-scheduled!
Congratulations on making the NYT bestseller list. I literally got chills reading your blog. Wonderful to receive the recognition for your hard work and creativity and for being the inspiration to others that you’ve been for me.
Amazing! You are so inspiring.
Congrats!! You deserve it more than anyone else! I finally received your book a week ago (takes a long time to ship to Denmark), and I’ve been making so many of your recipes already! They are absolutely delicious. My roomie and I have just been munching on cake, granola and eaten tons of tomato soup. She loves your book too, and we really enjoy cooking your recipes together at night. So much more fun than studying ;) And what we also love about your cook book is that we already have many of the ingredients in our kitchen, and even two students like us can afford to make all the food (and buy it!). Oh, and even my parents liked your tomato soup (and they usually just hate vegan food, though I think it’s just in their minds they hate it, I mean how can you hate it?!), so thank you so much for making them eat just one vegan meal! I almost cried because I was so proud of them (and you for creating the recipe – convincing my parents is a really good job!).
And the banana split looks sooooo good! I’ll make it next week to my roomie and me. It’s the perfect excuse to a break from my exams. I see banana split and a movie night ahead, and absolutely no homework!
On a completely different note. Do you know if regular cocoa powder is vegan? I usually buy carob powder but I don’t love it in baked goods. What do you usually use if you don’t use carob powder? Raw cocoa is really expensive in Denmark, so if there’s an alternative that a bit more affordable that would be amazing!
And congrats on being pregnant. I am so happy for you and Eric (and Sketchie), and you look so happy and beautiful in the pictures. You always put a smile on my face. Oh, and should you ever need a nanny (or someone to entertain Sketchie when the little new comes) just say the word and I’ll fly to Canada! I love children, animals and Canada so it would be perfect. And an excuse to travel to your very beautiful country (you are so lucky to live in such a beautiful country!).
Sorry for the long (and weird) comment. Perhaps I got a bit carried away. Anyways, have a wonderful weekend!
Congratulations! Well-deserved. Your recipes are amazing. The cookbook is a visual delight.
Congratulations! What a huge accomplishment and very well deserved. You are an inspiration to many.
Congrats, that’s awesome news! And this looks amazing as always!
Angela,
Congratulations on your well deserved spot on the NY Times Best Seller List!! I am loving the new book and have already given it to 3 people! I want to share it with everyone ~ and, in fact, am telling my FB followers all about it as I post photos of meals created from your book! The flavors are amazing and the results are beautiful. You have made cooking fun again- at least for me!! I am a loyal follower of your blog, anxiously awaiting a new release :) This banana split one will be a delight and I can’t wait to make it!! Thanks again for your wonderful work and for making so many of us (and our families) happy.
In Appreciation,
Kathy
Looks like a big bowl of fun! Delicious and extraordinary!
Your life is filled with wonderfulness! Congratulations!
congratulations!!!!! on both your big news!!! :)
Congratulations! Well deserved!!