I don’t venture into baking and dessert making that often, but when I received a copy of Whole Grain Vegan Baking by Celine Steen and Tamasin Noyes to review on the blog, it served as a good reminder that I should change that. After initially flipping through WGVB, I instantly spotted their trademark style of approachable recipes written in a clear, engaging and fun way and, after a more thorough read, was inspired to roll up my sleeves and get my hands dirty with the array of whole grains utilized throughout the book.
When Celine and Tami get together to write a cookbook, it’s a given that the recipes are going to be amazing, easy and fun to make, and look dynamite on a plate. One of the first things I noticed in the book was the most obvious— Celine’s amazing photographs (about 45 of them)—which are all breathtaking, inspiring and showcase her rustic-yet-sophisticated style of photography.
The next thing I was drawn to was the clear explanation of baking methods, flours and specific ingredients. Tami and Celine know their stuff, and clearly and generously want you to know about their stuff. So in addition to getting more than 100 recipes from breakfast to brunch, loaves and muffins, yeasted breads, “smarter” snacks and wholesome desserts to choose from, you’ll also get a complete rundown and description the whole grain flours used in the book, as well as several baking tips and tricks.
Because this book has already been so valuable to me in the short amount of time I’ve had it, I am excited that the publisher is offering a free copy of the book to one lucky reader through this blog post! To enter the giveaway, just leave a comment below, indicating your:
- favorite dessert or bread and/or
- your favorite whole grain that you like to bake with.
Be sure to leave your email or some way to contact you in your comment in case you are chosen as the giveaway winner. Shipping is restricted to US and Canada only, and the winner will be announced on May 29 (I’ll use random.org to pick the winner) … good luck!UPDATE: The winner of the giveaway is Angry Asian, over at morestomach — congrats!
Tami and Celine have also generously agreed to share a recipe—their Chocolate Raspberry Tart—from Whole Grain Vegan Baking here. I absolutely loved making this dessert, which looked lovely and tasted rich and decadent without being too overly sweet or heavy. From here, I plan to move on to making more of their other amazing recipes, starting with:
- Puttanesca Scones with Barley and Spelt
- Chickpea Rabe Calzoni
- Pull-Apart Cinnamon Bread
- Sun-Dried Tomato Focaccia
- Pesto Knots
- Whole Wheat Almond Plum Crostatas
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Chocolate Raspberry Tart
- Yield: 1 6.5-inch tart
Description
Published by Fair Winds Press, 2013
Rich and creamy, this decadent tart could be served in a five-star vegan restaurant. With only 1/2 teaspoon oil per serving, this raspberry chocolate explosion lets you pamper yourself and your family without the guilt.
Ingredients
For Crust:
- Nonstick cooking spray
- 40 g (1/2 cup) quick-cooking oats
- 60 g (1/2 cup) whole wheat pastry flour
- 10 g (2 tablespoons) unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 teaspoon instant espresso granules
- 2 tablespoons (30 ml) pure maple syrup
- 1 tablespoon (15 ml) neutral-flavored oil
- 1 tablespoon (15 ml) water, more if needed
For Filling and Topping:
- 105 g (3/4 cup) cashews, soaked in cold water for 3 hours, drained, and patted dry
- 1/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons (90 ml) vegan creamer, preferably Silk or Mimic Creme brand
- 20 g (1/4 cup) unsweetened cocoa powder
- 60 g (3 tablespoons) all-fruit raspberry jam
- 2 tablespoons (30 ml) pure maple syrup
- 190 g (1 1/2 cups) fresh raspberries
Instructions
To Make the Crust:
Preheat the oven to 350°F (180°C, or gas mark 4). Lightly coat a 6 1/2-inch (16 cm) tart pan with cooking spray. Combine the oats, flour, cocoa, and espresso granules in a small bowl. Stir in the syrup, oil, and water. The mixture will be sticky and should hold its shape when pressed together. If not, add more water, 1 teaspoon at a time, until it does. Press the mixture evenly onto the sides and bottom of the tart pan. Dampening your hands with water may help reduce some of the sticking. Put the tart pan on a baking sheet. Bake the crust for 7 to 8 minutes, until the edges start to look dry. Let cool on a wire rack for 1 hour, or until completely cool.
To Make the Filling:
Combine the cashews, creamer, cocoa, jam, and maple syrup in a blender. Process until completely smooth. Spread the filling evenly in the prepared tart shell. Top with the raspberries, beginning at the outer edge of the tart and working in circles toward the center. Chill for 3 hours before serving.
Notes
This recipe can also be made in three 4-inch (10 cm) tart pans. You may have a small amount of filling left over; it can be chilled and eaten as mousse.
For more delicious Whole Grain Vegan Baking recipes, reviews or additional chances to win a copy of the book, be sure to check out these other fabulous bloggers who will be hosting them throughout this month!
May 14: Weekly Vegan Menu
May 16: Vegan Eats and Treats
May 17: Three and a Half Vegans
May 18: Seitan is My Motor
May 19: My Zoetrope
May 20: Get Sconed!
May 21: Year of the Vegan
May 22: Little Foxes
May 23: Vegan Feast Kitchen
May 24: Vegan Cookbook Aficionado
May 25: Julie’s Kitchenette
May 26: Vegan Cookbooks Illustrated
May 27: Don’t Eat Off the Sidewalk!
May 28: Urban Vegan
