Happy 2017! I’m happy to wave bye to 2016, and can easily rattle off at least 20 reasons why (I’m sure you can too), but that’s not what this space is really about, so I’m going to keep it food centered.
2016 marked some major wins for veganism becoming more mainstream, plant-based wins, the emergence of more and improved vegan seafood options (a concept that I personally love developing more of here on this space), and so much more. Beyond Meat unveiled The Beyond Burger™, which sits in the meat aisle of most Whole Foods, literally moving a plant-based option that’s virtually indistinguishable from animal-based options front and center for meat eaters to consider. Gardein, Miyoko’s Kitchen cheeses and Follow Your Heart continue to astound with delicious, sustainable and revolutionary new products. Countless plant-based bloggers, chefs, publications, delivery services, cooking courses and cookbook authors are paving the way to make veganism more visible and accessible with their innovative techniques, alluring perspectives and unique voices.
When I look at all of this, I can’t believe how much veganism has blossomed and boomed in the past decade. As a vegan blogger, I love to keep aware of all of these moving parts, and help promote new efforts and endeavors of others in this space when I can. But recipe development will always take up the majority of this space here, so if you cook from the blog or share a recipe, you’ve made my day! Please let me know when you do, by leaving me a comment, tagging me on instagram (@olivesfordinner) or sending me an email.
On that note, this past year I made significant changes to the site, migrating everything over from blogspot to wordpress, implementing a redesign, and waving goodbye to free hosting and email services. I actually decided to do this redesign based on a reader feedback survey I ran at this time last year. I really wanted to make this space more user friendly and enjoyable for you to use … I hope I succeeded!
To add to this ongoing effort of keeping this blog relevant and useful, I’m running my annual reader feedback survey here again. This survey will take you five minutes or less to complete, and your feedback will help me to be a better blogger in 2017. In exchange for your time and feedback, I’m offering a giveaway of four awesome cookbooks!
The survey is now closed, and the winner of this giveaway is Kelly, congrats! Thanks to everyone who entered feedback, it is so helpful!
To enter for a chance to win, simply take my Olives for Dinner 2016 reader feedback survey, and automatically be entered for a chance to win all four of these great cookbooks below!
For an additional chance to win, just leave a comment below that includes a dish you’d like to see on the blog in 2017. All survey responses will be kept private, and I’ll randomly choose and announce a winner on January 9, 2017. Thanks so much for your feedback and for being a reader of this blog! xo
Carol Anderson says
Thank you for the opportunity to have input into the content of your blog. I discovered your pages in 2016, so if I am suggesting recipes that you have already featured, I apologize in advance. I eat a completely plant based vegan diet, my husband, not so much. He does enjoy some vegan meals that I make, but many require numerous ingredients that I may or may not have, and sometimes up to 2 hours to make. Then, when finished and we are seated for dinner, he may not like what I’ve prepared. This means making a hamburger or quick meat meal for him to eat. When this happens it makes him less receptive to the next vegan surprise.
I would like to to see old favorites; macaroni and cheese, lasagna, burgers and rich bean soup recipes with lots of meaty flavor and no meat. Also the meals have to be prepared easily within an hour and be freezable so that they can serve as instant meals when we are really pressed for time.
Thank you for all you do for us, your readers, the animals and the planet. We are so grateful. Best wishes and success to you in 2017, and always. Carol Anderson
erinwyso says
Thanks for your comment Carol! I completely empathize with your situation and have been there numerous times. You may want to check out some of these recipes hat may fit what you are looking for. These are easy to assemble and/or reheat, and have a “comfort food” type feel:
https://olivesfordinner.com/?s=portable
Good luck!
Kim says
I’d love to see a poutine recipe!
Christine Lee says
I second this. A poutine recipe would be fantastic!! Such a great comfort food.
Shawn K says
How about a cassoulet recipe? I have a black bean cassoulet recipe but would love to see some different kinds like mushroom or other beans
Shawn K
Cay says
I’d really love to see some recipes featuring mushrooms! I’m a huge fan but hubby is not… your recipes are so tasty I know they’d convert him haha!
Sue Mac says
Thank you for sharing your knowledge and skills with all of us. I’d like to see vegan and gluten free “roasts” in the place of seitan. Vital wheat gluten is key for many vegan analogies, but for us celiac vegans, it’s out.
eadaoine says
I would like a recipe for prune whip dessert. I’ve tried to make it with an aquafaba meringue and it flops big time. Is there anyway aquafaba can be heated without dissolving or am I limited to very very low temps. Thanks.
Pia says
First of all, Happy New Year and Happy Anniversary! 6 years sure is quite some time, and that is something I want to congratulate you on, especially considering that I bet it was everything but easy to get this far.
Now, as for a recipe I’d like to see,… hm,tricky….but maybe homemade faux chicken meat or something? (Not that I personally really crave things like that, but I think it would a) be a nice challenge ;), and b) come in super handy when you have non-vegans over and want to offer them a homemade authentic/ tasty cruelty-free option).
Aimee Brimmer says
I’d love to see any simple quick low fat/fat free recipes. 🙂
jacquie says
Happy blog anniversary! I would like to see more recipes utilizing more of the newly rediscovered flours that are on the market these days. Perhaps some lower fat crackers or savory quick breads.
Cassandra says
I would love a variety of breakfast dishes.
erinwyso says
Cassandra, I’ve got you covered!
https://olivesfordinner.com/category/breakfast-and-brunch
shaorn says
Congratulations on your six years! I would like to see some easy breakfast other than cereals. I would also like more raw food dishes. Thank you so much for spending the time to help us.
Megan Lask says
I second Carol’s comment: while I eat only a plant-based diet, my husband is still omni, and our two young boys are just coming into the age where they will start solidifying their food “likes” and “dislikes” (and, clearly, I would prefer that their preferences became solely vegan ones!). My husband will eat whatever it is that I prepare, so does eat vegan at home – but his priority, with kids et al. with activities in the evening, etc. – is to have foods that are both quick to prepate and “meaty” (to him, filling). Options that will satisfy his omni cravings, are relatively quick, but healthy and plant-based would be amazing!
Shadow says
I really appreciate this blog for its meals and dedication to whole foods. I love that the focus isn’t on vegan sweets and constant treats, but real foods we can put in the dinner table.
I’d love to see any new recipe starring collards, like collard wraps or some new flavors for cooked collards.
Leanne Woodall says
Congrats on all your success! I’d love to see recipes for Filipino Lumpia & Hawaiian rolls (yep, like the packaged ones from the grocery store) Thanks!
Lydia Webster says
This woman has all your lumpia needs covered! http://www.astigvegan.com/vegetable-lumpiang-shanghai/
Leanne Woodall says
Excellent! I’m going to check it out right now! Thanks so much! 🙂
Amy M. says
I would love to see some more Asian-inspired recipes!
Terri Cole says
I would like to see more oil-free recipes.
Christine Lee says
Congrats on 6 years! I absolutely love your blog; there are so many eclectic recipes that I enjoy scrolling through. I would love to see more indian-inspired recipes on here. Also would love to see more soupy/brothy, warm things for the coming month of January.
erinwyso says
Thank you Christine! 🙂 Yeah, I got some of that coming soon!
cheryl says
I love your site I’m vegan as was my daughter in law she has just gone to eating meat and my husband is Keto which means he consumes a large degree of protein in meat. He does not eat grains, pasta or legumes. We have a difficult on the meeting of minds when eating, ususally two different meal to fix. I end up eating sides he likes the vegan sides. Thank you for your blog great job I look forward to the coming year. If you could expand on some Keto idea’s that would be helpful for here.
Lydia Webster says
Congratulations! I’d love to see vegan Thai food recipes
Zimri says
Congrats on 6 years! I’d love to see a recipe for calamari. Recipes for vegan seafood in general and recipes utilizing aquafaba or gabanzo beans themselves would also be great 🙂
erinwyso says
Zimri, Vegan seafood is abundant here! Check these recipes out:
https://olivesfordinner.com/category/entrees/vegan-seafood
Nicole says
I’m newer to your blog, so I apologize if I suggest something you’ve done, but that I haven’t yet come across. I’d love to see some vegan-ized take-out recipes. I’ve been a vegetarian for 5 years, and am now switching to a plant-based vegan diet. One thing I am going to miss is the take-out selections, especially the not-good-for-you-but-so-tasty chinese food dishes and grinders (subs to all you non-New Englanders).
Natalie R says
Happy New Year!! I would love to see some breakfast recipes – oatmeal, frittatas, buckwheat / quinoa morning bowls..
Edward says
I would love to see a good “Chicken” Parmesan recipe or “Chicken” Francese.
Karen D says
Not totally sure… Maybe a vegan quiche or omelet
Sandy says
I just saw someone say Thai food- would love some great Thai recipes with tofu preparation. My tofu is just mediocre….I’ve been trying (and failing) to make it better for years!
Daniella Robinson says
would love to see a poutine or a gardener’s/shepherd’s pie <3 Came here from Mary's Test Kitchen!