Creating and celebrating American food with a vegan twist that’s appealing to both vegans and the veg-curious, Nom Yourself presents an array of decadent and creative comfort food, like Half-Baked Macaroni and Cheese, BBQ Seitan Skewers, Sweet Potato Waffle Sandwich, Roasted Garlic Parm Carrots and Whisky Lady Cupcakes.
What I like best about Mary’s style is that she doesn’t use a ton of ingredients, all of her recipes are very easy to follow and are mostly built around fresh produce, nuts and grains.
What I tried first from Nom Yourself is Mary’s Fried Eggplant Sticks. Super-decadent, this appetizer mimics the creaminess of mozzarella, and is surrounded by a crispy panko shell that holds up well after a drag through some marinara or kale pesto. Sound good? Read on!
The kind folks over at Avery/Penguin Random House have not only allowed me to share the recipe here, but are also offering a free copy of Nom Yourself to one reader through this post!
To enter:
Just leave a comment below that includes your favorite American and/or comfort food dish. Please include your email, twitter handle, instagram username or some way to contact you in case your comment is drawn as the winner. Shipping is restricted to US only, and I’ll announce the winner on September 9 … good luck!
The winner of this giveaway is Eric … congrats and thanks to everyone who entered!
Fried Eggplant Sticks
- Yield: 20 sticks 1x
Print Recipe
Pin RecipeDescription
Reprinted from Nom Yourself by arrangement with Avery Books, a member of Penguin Group (USA) LLC, A Penguin Random House Company. Copyright © 2015, Mary Mattern
Mozzarella sticks are the ultimate crowd-pleasing appetizers. Who doesn’t love a snack you can dip?
My favorite vegetable has always been eggplant, and it turns out that when eggplant is breaded and fried, it makes a perfect creamy filling, even better than mozzarella.
Zucchini sticks are great as well, but they tend to fall apart more often than not. So I’ve found that eggplant works best for an irresistible vegan twist on a favorite that everyone will want to eat by the plateful. This appetizer is by far my personal chef clients’ favorite.
Ingredients
- 1 cup sifted unbleached all-purpose flour
- 1 cup unsweetened almond milk
- 1 cup bread crumbs
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 2 teaspoons finely chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley
- ½ Peanut oil, for frying teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 large eggplant, peeled and sliced into sticks
Instructions
- Place the flour in one bowl and the almond milk in another bowl.
- In a third bowl, mix the bread crumbs, garlic powder, onion powder, parsley, and kosher salt.
- Place the bowls next to one another in this order: flour, almond milk, bread crumbs.
- Add enough peanut oil to a large skillet to have the oil ½ inch deep. Heat the oil over medium heat to 350 degrees F. Use a deep fry candy thermometer.
- Dip each stick of eggplant in the flour, then the almond milk, then the bread crumbs.
- Place the eggplant sticks in the hot oil and cook until golden brown, around 45 seconds. You may need to turn them depending on how hot your oil is.
- Place on a plate lined with a paper towel to drain off the excess oil.
- Serve with Kale Pesto (recipe in cookbook) or marinara sauce.
Can't lie. We make vegan macaroni and cheese at least once a month and it's our go-to dish for potlucks. In fact, I am making a HUGE batch to bring to a "Real Men Cook" event this year.
eric@thanktankcreative.com
@thanktankcr8
Biscuits and gravy! -Katie Norris – Instagram – Katiefaceblueeyes
This makes me really happy that I already preordered this book. 🙂
my version of grilled cheese… homemade cashew cheese with fresh sliced tomato and roasted hatch chills on sourdough all crispy in the pan… YUM!!
I love a big bowl of mac and cheese!
my favorite comfort food is anything with sauerkraut. thanks for the chance to win this awesome looking book! fishpucky101@yahoo.com
I love country gravy over rice for my comfort food. Not so traditional but delicious. (IG handle @stubborntobewild)
Pizza pizza pizza! Ig: adayfromscratch
Going to go with burgers or Mac and cheese, both so bad, yet so good. Or, any dessert honestly, all about dessert ha. (IG miraitsmaddy)
mashed potatoes are my very favorite thing ever! thanks for the giveaway!
Pizza!! Shanny829@aol.com
Pizza! Shanny829@aol.com
My favorite comfort/American dish would have to be a dessert: pumpkin pie! I love the flavor of fall and the memories it brings back. I want it so much more since I've moved to Florida from Connecticut 🙁 (IG: _sarahesposito)
In our home – the go to is chicken parmigiana and potato salad 🙂 Instagram: jordanjessicaaa
Veggie. Dogs! ? info@allisonweeksthomas.com
I'm a big fan of bread pudding & banana pudding for comfort food, though a good muffin (pumpkin & cream cheese or blueberry with coarse sugar!) are high in the running as well… not the most vegan friendly recipes, but easy enough to tweak. 🙂 [ IG: truegenevieve || Twitter: nijireiki ]
Pizza! Shanny829@aol.com
We've been vegetarian for 3 months- working on being vegan. My favorite comfort food is a philly cheese steak! Thankfully I loooooove mushrooms, so I haven't missed it too much!
Chik'in pot pie! Ig @dawn716
French fries are my all time favorite! My instagram is emilypaulinerosales
my favorite "American" food is good old fashion country biscuits and gravy. My grandma use to make them all the time and now i love trying vegan versions.
French fries are my all time favorite! My instagram is emilypaulinerosales
I love mac n cheese & French fries! Can I have 2 favorites? I'll eat them together if that helps? ? paris.soliman@gmail.com & @greensandfries for Instagram and Twitter
Not sure my last one posted! My email is Isis.sylvester@gmail.com, Instagram is rlsylvester.
Biscuits & gravy, fried ocra with garlic aioli. Being a Southern born gal but living far away now.. There is just nothing like the comfort of biscuits done right!
My FAVORITE comfort food dishes hands down have to be sauerkraut, macaroni and cheese and apple pie. These are all of the dishes my grandmother used to make that I just absolutely LOVE. Makes me think about Thanksgiving and Christmas at her house.
LJPARKER514@gmail.com
Lauren
My favorite American comfort food is definitely grilled cheese. Diaya, rosemary, and fried vegan bologna– diagonal cut of course, dipped in Frank's hot sauce.
Another favorite comfort food has always been Thai Massaman curry for me.
(IG: @abeskyoga, email: abeskyoga@gmail.com)
Favorite dish by far is chili with all the fixins… Swoon (ig @pipermcfit)
Casseroles are my favorite! Growing up I always loved green bean and mushroom casserole the most. I've been dreaming of a gooey, (vegan) cheesy, crunchy-on-the-top mushroom and squash casserole for autumn. I'll see what I can whip up with the help of my soon to be new favorite cookbook, Nom Yourself 😉
Email is fmp875@gmail.com, instagram is francescayoungsilks.
My favorite dish by far is chili with all the fixins… Swoon (ig @pipermcfit)
Chicken pot pie is my favorite American dish! Thanks! Csnyder607@gmail.com
When I think comfort food it is not in the traditional sense. My go to is vegan ice cream. Hands down will always comfort you. Cheers!
– @KindAndrew
Chicken pot pie! Thanks! Csnyder607@gmail.com
Casseroles are my favorite! Growing up I always loved green bean and mushroom casserole the most. I've been dreaming of a gooey, (vegan) cheesy, crunchy-on-the-top mushroom and squash casserole for autumn. I'll see what I can whip up with the help of my soon to be new favorite cookbook, Nom Yourself 😉
Email is fmp875@gmail.com, instagram is francescayoungsilks.
My favorite comfort food is vegan pot pies using biscuits as the 'crust' … mmm!!
(IG/Twitter handle: @_cfwillett)
I love potato salad! To me, it's not just a summer side dish..I could eat it as a whole meal in the dead of winter!
calliejofunk@yahoo.com IG: @funkjocallie
grilled cheeeeeeese. Twitter/Instagram @brittneyleester. brittneyleehamilton@gmail.com
When it comes to comfort, I am all about the carbs – mac and cheeze, French fries, you name it.
nophie_w-v@hotmail.com
My favorite dish would be anything that consists of avocado!!! Clearly I find comfort in them 🙂
(Instsa: katelynmotsinger)
Vegan mac and cheese the best! Especially with jalapeños 🙂 my name is Gina, my Instagram is @gmcnotacar
Vegan mac and cheese the best! Especially with jalapeños 🙂 my name is Gina, my Instagram is @gmcnotacar
Definitely Mac n' Cheese or Grilled Cheese! I miss them both as a vegan. : ) : )
Hot fresh baked bread!
IG: xposttenebraslux
Mac and cheese is my weakness. I weep every time I make it. Daiya cheese, Tofutti cream cheese, salt, pepper, and garlic is all you need to make the sauce.
@sheslayber on Instagram!
My favorite comfort food is mashed potatoes with creamed peas. Yummers!!! My email is jenniferblack68@gmail.com and instagram is @whatthesquirrels .
I'm definitely a vegan pizza-holic. I love experimenting with different homemade sauces and toppings! Pick me! Pick me! Instagram and Twitter Handle: @tierragan Email: tierra.ragan@gmail.com
Vegan Mac and cheese is my go to for comfort food 🙂 and tater tots
@sheslayber on Instagram!
I'm a vegan pizza-holic! I love experimenting with different homemade sauces and toppings. Pick me! Pick me! Instagram and Twitter Handle: @tierragan Email: tierra.ragan@gmail.com
Mac n cheese always! ?
Twitter: shesaliibra
this is super boring but my comfort dish is oatmeal with berries and peanut butter during the fall and winter, warms me up from the inside! email is myemailstinks(at)gmail.com
Mac and cheese! Oh, the amount of that I could eat! Although I actually haven't made any since I went vegan (over a year ago), but I will because we are meant to be together and we'll find a way back. Thank you for this giveaway!
Twitter and IG: @vdrianaa Email: adrianah1995@yahoo.com
Lately, my favorite is grits, beans and greens
Definitely beef noodle soup for my Chinese side, but I can't turn down a grilled cheese with tomatoes. Mmmmm
@slanteyeminion on Instagram
Mac'n'cheese, with gooey vegan cheese is such a comfort food for me.
My e-mail is jiahui7@rocketmail.com, twitter is @FleurFlor and IG @jhlphotos. 🙂
My favorite comfort food is a pot of beans (I like the 15 dried bean mix for this) cooked and add okra to it. Serve with some vegan cornbread – and I'm comforted, warmed, filled – and loving the world again. My email is teribeariblue@yahoo.com.
My favorite traditional American classic was always the BLT or for vegetarians like me ALT (avocado lettuce toast) before I start cooking it was my go to choice to make as a kid. My American comfort food is hands-down always Smore's 🙂
Instagram: allyeec
My favorite comfort food is a plate of fresh, hot, tender-but-crisp potato pancakes. The vegan version is even better than the traditional, and the aroma reminds me of home. I can eat them any night of the week.
@crosswordnation on Instagram
Hands down it's gotta be chili mac and cheese! instagram: @justjasmyn
favorite comfort food was and continues to be soup. when i would get home from school, there would be a bowl (usually cream of mushroom) waiting for me. i've since veganized my favorite soup recipes.
instagram: @neferdyan
Hmm, I think I have to go with tomato and jalapeño grilled cheese! Gotta love spicy ? instagram: justjasmyn
Lasagna 🙂
My favorite comfort food is vegan lasagna…yum yum ????
Instagram: @pnevarez60
Grits! Earth Balance-y, noochy, garlicky grits.
Strawberry cheesecake is my favourite
Instagram Machteld_Broug
Burgers!
Insta: @jgazin
My comfort food would be a dish of pasta with marinara sauce.
twinkle at optonline dot net
Grilled cheese! I still need to try chao cheese!
Philly cheesesteak sandwich.
@ltirado766
Philly cheesesteak sandwich.
@ltirado766
Grilled cheese and cream of tomato soup to dunk it in!
Pretty much anything on a [vegan] thanksgiving table! Stuffing, mashed potatoes and gravy, sweet potatoes, green beans, biscuits… dang, now I'm getting hungry! Thanks for hosting this!
Mackenziebader@gmail.com
oh my, where to begin! I would say mac and cheese and mashed potatoes are my fav traditional comfort foods! Twitter and Instagram @runcrissierun 🙂
Fried chicken, mashed potatoes, green beans and a buttermilk biscuit: @kim.greunke
A hot, open faced sandwich smothered in gravy with a side of mashed potatoes! jgbeads (at) gmail (dot) com
Mashed potatoes and gravy!
Instayum: @jexd7
Thanks!
Isa Chandra Moskowitz's good gravy bowl!
My favorite comfort foods are the vegan versions of the foods that my mom and grandma made when I was little. Chik'n and dumplings, beefless stew and German potato salad all do the trick!
gaia at cinci dot rr dot com
roasted garlic mac and no-cheese is my all time favorite comfort food! Instagram handle: @chefasana
Hands down, shepards pie! Lucky for me there are so many vegan variations 🙂 instagram: @jademaxw_ll
Wings! Wings! Wings! Mouth watering, sloppy, celery required, feelin' 'em in the mornin', savory, cayenne hot, buffalo, seitan, breaded and fried, finger lickin' hot wings! Can I get a woohoo!? WOOHOO!!! – love to nom @tarn_brewed
I think I would have to say Chicken Pot Pie is my favorite comfort food!
Digicats {at} Sbcglobal {dot} Net
It is Mac and cheese! Not eating now that I am vegan. I do miss it at times.
Pizza is my go to comfort food. I Love Mushroom, onion and green olives!
dslivers1972@yahoo.com
mac and cheese!!
Seems like it will be delish!
Mac & Cheese (something I had never had before becoming vegan 31 years ago) is my fave.
These look incredible! My favorite American comfort food is probably banana pudding!
Email: infinitezest1@gmail.com
Twitter: @lotuskin
Instagram: infinitezest
French fries, Mac and cheese, vegan dogs and burgers just to name a few. Can't wait to try these fries they look amazing. llhastings3@gmail.com Thank you!
Nacho cheese is my comfort food, scooped up with anything! Djsstubbs@aol.com
my favorite comfort food is mac and cheese . my twitter name is @ranadurham
Margherita pizza! Elie.chau@gmail.com
as anticipated, vegan mac and cheese!! mozzarella sticks and vegan buffalo wings 🙂 my email is ele.efstathiou@gmail.com
vegan mac and cheese, vegan buffalo wings and vegan mozzarella cheese :3 ele.efstathiou@gmail.com
My favorite is vegan eggplant, tomato, and chickpea casserole.
cheesecake! 😀
ali.seiter@gmail.com
Hands down, it's the British favorite Sheperds Pie / Cottage Pie – YUM! I would love to try out a good recipe for a vegan variation of this delicious comfort food! Contact: s_u_k_i_n_a (Please Direct Message me if I'm selected as the winner – here's hoping!). Thanks!
I think it's grilled cheese.
johanna@woodbury.org
Homemade mac n cheese with caramelized sweet onions and bacon is my favorite comfort food.
My mom's homemade vegan "beef" tacos are my absolute favorite comfort food. My husband and I relocated for his job so my mom makes them for me every time I come for a visit and I associate them now with home and love. Add a Margarita and some vegan Mac on the side and it's heaven. My ig handle is tac0_flavored_kisses and my email is Samantha.Munoz@gmail.com
Vegan Mac n Cheeze. mmmmm.
Mac and cheese, mac and cheese and did I mention mac and cheese? This book looks great, crossing my fingers my name is picked. bjaneclark@gmail.com
mac and cheeze casserole (including vegetables and seitan or not dogs)
Pizza, for sure! thanks so much for the awesome giveaway.
Tots! Thank you for the giveaway!
Mac and cheese please!!! Pick me pick me pick me! I have no google account… ? but I'm believing_is_the_beginning on Instagram!!
I would love this cookbook for my family. They are big on cheese and dairy so I feel like I always need to cook comfort food to win their hearts, so I think the book would have some great options! My favorite comfort food would be calzones, it is weird one, but there has been many childhood Sunday making a calzone. I've made a great vegan version so I don't miss it anymore.
I grew up in a Filipino home so my favorite comfort dish is rice with lots of vegetables stir fried plus I have made vegan adobo!!! Thank you for giving us an opportunity to win this book! My Instagram is @veganagain Even if I don't win feel free to check it out! I aspire to have a cookbook someday too! Thank you! ??
This looks delicious! Yum!! My favorite comfort food is Shepherds Pie. Mmm…
Thanks for the chance! athomas @ hanovereng.com
Mac and cheese will always be my go-to when I'm looking for comfort.
acbrick@verizon.net
Blue box mac n cheese. So pleased Earth Balance has come out with a good option finally…
gretchenm47 at gmail dot com
Mashed potatoes are always a good comfort food when I'm not feeling well.
Fresh bread!
Obsessed with vegan Alfredo! And beans! Lol. Tara811@gmail.com