lusty
[luhs-tee]
adjective
1. full of or characterized by healthy vigor
2. hearty, as a meal
3. spirited; enthusiastic
synonyms
1. robust, strong, sturdy, stout
vegan
[vee-guh n]
noun
1. a vegetarian who omits all animal products from the diet
A lusty vegan, according to Ayindé Howell and Zoë Eisenberg, are vegans who are looking for love. In their newly titled The Lusty Vegan: A Cookbook and Relationship Manifesto for Vegans and Those Who Love Them, they explore the connection between food and relationships—specifically focusing on vegans dating omnivores and vice versa—and present advice and recipes on how to help bridge that gap.
So why is this important … it’s just food, right?
Wrong. Ayindé and Zoë will not only tell you why, but also describe their own personal experiences of being a vegan dating an omnivore, and share what they’ve learned along the way.
Ayindé, a life-long vegan, chef and founder of ieatgrass.com and Zoë, a writer, certified holistic health counselor and founder of sexytofu.com, have one thing in common: neither have dated another vegan. So who is this book written for: omnivores or vegans?
Both! If you are an omnivore, TLV will give you tips on “how to handle your vegan” (heh) and, if you are vegan, it will give you advice on how to coexist peacefully with your new omnivore friend.
In addition to sharing experiences and advice, TLV also presents recipes designed to delight omnivore partners with an emphasis on not trying to “convert” or “change” them, but to show that vegan food isn’t all steamed tasteless greens and brown rice. How does Moroccan Tempeh Chermoula, Seitan Kabobs with Sangria Tomato Salad, White Mushroom Truffle Gravy and Devil’s Pot Pie sound? And to finish? Care for Spiced Peach and Plum Cobbler, Lemon Meringue Chia Pudding, or Mexican Hot Chocolate-Covered Strawberries? (Recipe below!)I’m a firm believer that there is a strong connection between food and sensory memories, and I love that TLV recognizes and discusses that in detail. Food and cooking not only offers nourishment, but also a unique opportunity to connect with another through creating experiences, establishing bonds and forming memories … and isn’t that what relationships are all about in the first place?
Curious and hungry for more? The kind folks over at Vegan Heritage Press are offering one free copy of The Lusty Vegan through this post!
To enter, just leave a comment below that includes a vegan dish you’ve made for non-vegans that they’ve loved. Or, if you’ve dated an omnivore as a vegan or a vegan as an omnivore and have a piece of advice for others, please share it! Either or both comments will enter you into the drawing. I’ll announce the winner on October 23.
Please leave your email or some way to contact you in case you are the winner. Shipping is limited to the US only. Good luck!
Congrats to Laura, winner of this giveaway … thanks to everybody who entered!
Mexican Hot Chocolate-Covered Strawberries
- Total Time: 8 minutes
- Yield: 2-4 servings
Description
(From The Lusty Vegan © 2014 by Ayindé Howell and Zoë Eisenberg. Used with permission from Vegan Heritage Press.)
The combination of sweet strawberries, creamy chocolate, and a tiny kick of cayenne creates the ultimate trifecta of deliciousness.
Ingredients
- 1 (3-ounce) block semi-sweet dark chocolate, chopped or grate
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 1/8 teaspoon salt
- 1 pound strawberries, cleaned
Instructions
- Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside. In a small saucepan, melt the chocolate, stirring with fork or whisk so it melts evenly and doesn’t burn. Add the cinnamon, cayenne, and salt. When fully melted, remove from the heat to prevent burning.
- Holding the strawberries by the stem end, dip them in the melted chocolate, coating them on each side.
- Place the dipped strawberries on the prepared cookie sheet and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to set the chocolate, or until ready to serve.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 3 minutes
veggielawyer says
My husband ate meat when we started dating, but became vegetarian on his own because he enjoyed my cooking. I think there's a dating tip in there somewhere. Maybe it's that good food (and a lack of preachy ness) can bridge differences.
erinwyso says
veggielawyer, I completely agree, thanks!
Amanda J says
My best friend is not vegan, but she loooooves my chickpea salad with Just Mayo… and my bean chili… and my cauliflower steaks… and oven-dried herb tomatoes… and chickpea tacos…
With omnivorous friends and dating partners, preparing and sharing delicious vegan food makes it so everyone wins.
zazazu says
People always love my stuffed bell peppers. Yum!
msred5 at gmail dot com
Jody says
New Farm Mac and Cheeze is a dish that all my non vegan friends/family always enjoy!
Luches says
The Skinny Bitch Beef Stew is loved by my carnovore friends (available online!).
Nileta Jackson says
My FIL loved my fake meatballs– he called them haha balls.
Steve Lassoff says
Yum! Spicy chocolate dipped strawberries! Sounds great! I am building a community of vegans and would love for you to hop over to http://www.wedigfood.com and leave a recipe or restaurant review. Thanks!
Kat Bell says
My omnivore roommate loves my vegan Brunswick Stew, Pad Thai, and (oddly enough) baked tofu with spicy peanut sauce.
Candice Ware says
I made this: http://keepinitkind.com/bake-chocolate-peanut-butter-tart/
No Bake Chocolate Peanut Butter Tart for everyone at my house worming party and I almost didn't get a bite! Mind you my hole party food was vegan and it was really enjoyed! Now my mom tells people that vegan food is good 🙂 love it
erinwyso says
I still need to make that — Kristy always comes up with the best ideas!
Anonymous says
My family always enjoy cheesy enchiladas or Susan's Spinach Tofu Lasagne. My father in particular loves scrambled tofu and Chickpea Cutlets. If looking for something sweet Vegan with a Vengeance's Macadamia Carrot Cake is a showstopper.
Chely
pepitajobo {AT} icloud {DOT} com
Vegan Quaker says
I've been a vegan for 20 years and with my omnivorous husband for 19. His favorite things that I make are chole, an Indian chickpea dish, and Southern food (turnip greens, black-eyed peas, and cornbread). He also likes to tell people that I've mastered the art of vegan, high-altitude baking.
Jan Scholl says
I'm never sure if the omni (husband of 42 years) likes anything. He eats it but makes no comment other than a burp. But I did make an Indian dish once with plantains he sorta said was OK.
Lydia Claire says
It's not necessarily a dish but I introduced an omni friend to TVP and she loves it. She adds it to any dish with ground meat to bulk it up. It's a start. =)
sarahhhhhh says
lentil tacos!
Rebecca says
My non vegan brother in law loves when I make nutritional yeast garlic bread, he's also a huge fan of Julie Hasson's chocolate chip cookies from Vegan Diner.
Lauryn Linley says
I've always had luck making my fiancee vegan baked goods…his favorite treat I've ever made is a Double Chocolate Chip Cranberry Muffin!
Lauryn Linley says
I forgot to leave my email!
Tapdanz85@aol.com
Thanks so much!
Bobbie || the vegan crew says
Penne vodka — classic comfort food!
bobbie@thevegancrew.com
Liliana Pardo says
I became a vegan in May 2010. That same year I went back to my country, Colombia, to spend the holidays with my family. When they found out I was vegan they thought I had gone insane; so to prove them wrong I decided to cook a meatless meatloaf made with mushrooms, tofu, eggplant, and oatmeal oats for New Year's Eve dinner. Everyone loved it and had a second piece of it instead of the caramelized ham and the turkey, and asked me for the recipe 🙂
Liliana Pardo says
Here is my email: limepabe@gmail.com
erinwyso says
I love to hear stories like this! Showing (feeding others) is the best way to promote vegan food!
thevioletfern.com says
I haven't been Vegan very long (going on 10 months – wish I became V years ago!!!), but I have learned so much about cooking by becoming Vegan. I'm not sure if I've successfully impressed my family with Vegan doughnuts but I have brought Vegan cheeses to art receptions and they have been well received! I'm always disappointed to not have any leftovers for moi. I hope to experiment more with making homemade Vegan cheeses.
erinwyso says
Not having any vegan leftovers is always a good sign!
Magic and Mayhem says
My chili is a big hit with everybody, vegans and non-vegans.
Marissa says
I've had major success with pumpkin pie brownies, coconut milk curry, and black bean burgers. (actgrl2991@aim.com)
Amber E says
Pasta with green veggies (usually kale, collards, or mustard ) with red pepper and any other veggies you fancy tossed with a garlicky nutritional yeast sauce has been a hit with folks who profess to dislike what they associate with "vegan food". I usually add some cayenne pepper or srirracha. Amberellering@gmail.com
Kimberly says
Vegan stroganoff from The Gentle Chef cookbook has been a huge hit with my omnivore relatives. kimberlyjansen_nc@yahoo.com
Barbara Clark says
I made some Dill Havarti and Pepper Jack cheese from the Non-Dairy Evolution cookbook for my Mom and she LOVED them. I think that was pretty good since she was born and bred in Wisconsin where I think loving milk products is part of your DNA.
erinwyso says
I will have to try that recipe, Barbara. Thanks for sharing!
Ali K says
I love to make vegan muffins (such as the cranberry/orange muffins from Vegan Brunch) for mixed gatherings.
Corrine Greenfield says
Vegan chili is always an easy to make favorite for everyone!
farmersmarketvegan says
My father ADORED anything with seitan…and now he's vegan! (Still loves seitan.) 🙂
Jennifer says
I remember in college I went vegan Sophomore year. I shared a house with three other people. One girl was dating a guy who was into biking and bought her a used bike for her to use. But it was too big, and being in college I really wanted it, you know for free. He agreed to give it to me if I made him a vegan meal, since he had no clue what I would make. I really blew him away with a chickpea curry pot pie from How It All Vegan. He thought I was going to make him a salad, or just some roasted veggies. For awhile it became my go-to "wow-em" dinner. Now I feel like all my meals are omnivore friendly.
erinwyso says
Jennifer, I love this!
sa collins says
Spaghetti noodles with olive oil, garlic, basil and red pepper flakes.
Amanda Jackson says
Jackfruit Carnitas from Vegan Sandwiches Save the Day. My dad thought it was pulled pork and argued with me when I told him it wasn't. 🙂
Thanks!
ajacks2324@gmail.com
erinwyso says
That reminds me I still need to try those! Yes, jackfruit is disturbingly porky, I love that your dad wanted to argue about what it was!
Diana says
Sauteed potatoes and cabbage with mustard seeds always go over well…?
Olive and Oud says
Rather than using meat substitutes, I focus on highly-seasoned whole foods like curries, and I up the fat content with nuts, avocados, coconut or olives.
I'm married to an omnivore. Sometimes he eats whatever I make, and sometimes he augments my dishes with his own creations. We each have our own cutting boards and sections of the kitchen counter, and we often prepare food side-by-side after work.
Thank you for the giveaway! lnatusch@yahoo.com
Ashley says
I recently made an awesome roasted eggplant/tomatoes/basil dish that my non-vegan friends loved! Thanks for this giveaway!
morestomach.com says
i once brought in a tofu-based peanut butter pie into the office and it blew my coworkers' minds. admittedly, i didn't tell them until after they licked their plates…
PS. we're going to Vegan Soul Fest this weekend and apparently the Lusty Vegans are going to be there!
erinwyso says
Lan, I like to do that too, since minds are usually made up about food once it's labelled "vegan." Have a blast at Vegan Soul Fest, it looks like a great event! Hope you get to meet the authors!
Anonymous says
Peanut butter chocolate dessert! Line a pan with peanut butter mixed with confectioner's sugar (vegan) and non-dairy margarine.melt non-dairy chocolate chips with a little bit of oil in the microwave. Cover peanut butter with chocolate. Put in fridge. Simple and delicious. Yum! lol411@ymail.com
Randy and Shauna says
My husband loves kale and portabello tacos with chipotle cashew cream. And, my 6 year old daughter loves pesto cauliflower pasta with breaded tofu. Yum! Cookbook looks awesome! Shaunaschultz@yahoo.com.
Anonymous says
I challenged myself to make a vegan version of my Italian grandma's stuffed cabbage. Replicating the ground beef filling was key…ended up using finely diced onions, green peppers, and mushrooms with garlic and slightly smushed cooked lentils. Baking them in a vegan version of Grandma's all-day Sunday marinara and serving over a cauli-potato mash made them a hit with my super carnivorous father and brother. My dad requests it now whenever I'm home visiting…which just makes me smile. shellsehrk@hotmail.com
Karen Delaney says
I make a wicked good oatmeal-walnut burger that I serve on a homemade bun with homemade mustard and ketchup.
Karen Delaney says
forgot to leave my email karengdelaney (at} yahoo {dot} com
Jojabab says
I made a butternut squash curry for a memorial service gathering. People raved about and went back for seconds and thirds. Many people asked for the recipe.
Kimberly Angel says
I am trying to switch over to vegan eating, and love the shepherd's pie recipe on the Fat Free Vegan blog site. I use the French green lentils specifically because of their peppery taste and less mushiness, and my meat and potatoes husband usually goes back for seconds. I am always looking for those rock star recipes that we both like.
Sarah says
Right now, I'm living vegetable curry dishes. They're warm and a little spicy, enough to warm up anyone with 7ft of snow outside!!