Chow Vegan

Brown Rice Krispy Treats From Simple Treats

October 25, 2010 By chow 22 Comments

Just in time for Halloween, rice krispy treats! I used the recipe from the cookbook, Simple Treats by Ellen Abraham, which I received from the publisher for review.

The brown rice krispy treats are a natural food version of the classic treat, using a concoction of various syrups to replace the usual marshmallows. I also added a topping of raisins and shredded coconut.

It’s been many moons since I’ve last eaten a rice krispy treat, but I thought these were good. They tasted a bit on the healthy side and aren’t super sweet. I haven’t tried making any with vegan marshmallows so I can’t compare the two.

The rest of the cookbook covers everything from muffins and breads to cookies and cakes to cremes, frostings and glazes, all dairy-free and wheat-free (but not gluten-free, as some recipes call for barley flour).

Share a square of rice krispy treats with a little friend today. To facilitate the sharing, I’m giving away a copy of Simple Treats. For a chance in a different giveaway, click on the above Luscious Vegan Desserts button to enter at the publisher’s website, Book Publishing Company.

To enter the giveaway:
Leave a comment in this post with your favorite Halloween treat, homemade or store-bought. Comment must be made by midnight PST on Friday, October 29th; one entry per person. No purchase is necessary to enter or win.

One winner will be randomly selected (using random.org) from the comments received and announced in a new post on Saturday, October 30th. Winner will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be randomly chosen. Prize awarded is the cookbook that I received from the publisher (approximate retail value $14.95). I did not drool on it.

Official Rules:
Open only to U.S. residents age 18 and over. Odds of winning depend on the number of entries received. Void where prohibited by law. Any tax is the sole responsibility of the winner. Winner releases Chow Vegan from any liability arising out of participation in this giveaway or the acceptance, use or misuse of the prize.

Disclosure: This post contains Amazon links, I get a few coins tossed my way if you click on any of the links and make a purchase of anything.

Street-Style Veggie Duck Taco With Mango Salsa

October 11, 2010 By chow 13 Comments

Unless you’ve been living under a turnip, you’ve probably heard how food trucks are all trendy nowadays. And not the “roach coach” type that’s been around forever, but the long-lines, gotta-hunt-it-down, twittering, gourmet, fusion food type of truck.

I have yet to actually track one of these trucks down. Obviously, I live and work in the wrong neighborhood. So that got me to thinking, if Chow Vegan was a food truck, what would it serve?

Asian fusion, of course. Inspired by the duck taco at Kung Fu Tacos (a San Francisco based food truck), I made a vegan version of the street-style soft taco – veggie duck, hoisin sauce, and mango salsa on a whole grain corn tortilla, all locally sourced for the most part.

The veggie duck is very similar to Mock Chicken, made out of fresh yuba sheets only without the filling, folded and flattened into layers instead of rolled. Just like mock chicken doesn’t actually taste like chicken, veggie duck doesn’t really taste like duck. The small (5″ diameter), home-made style tortillas are manufactured in Sonoma County by La Tortilla Factory and the mango, a California Green Keitt.

Savory, sweet, and spicy all in one bite. A range of textures too, from soft to chewy. A little messy to eat though. But so good.

Street-Style Veggie Duck Taco with Mango Salsa
Making veggie duck tacos couldn’t be easier, especially if you can find a package of veggie duck in the refrigerated section of the Asian supermarket. Or something similar, the one that I used wasn’t even called veggie duck, it was labeled Mixed Bean Curd.

Just heat up the veggie duck and tortillas. Slice the veggie duck into bite-size pieces. Smear a bit of hoisin sauce on a tortilla, add the sliced pieces of veggie duck. Top generously with the mango salsa. Serve immediately.

Mango Salsa
1 ripe mango, diced
2 green onion stalks, chopped
1 medium jalapeño, minced
A few sprigs of cilantro, chopped
1/2 lime, juiced
Salt and pepper to taste

In a bowl, combine the ingredients, season to taste, and gently mix together. Chill until ready to serve.

Chocolate Candy Cups From Raw For Dessert

October 10, 2010 By chow 6 Comments

With the holidays right around the corner, I’ve got candy on my brain. Having recently received from the publisher a review copy of Raw for Dessert by Jennifer Cornbleet, I just had to try the Chocolate Candy Cups.

The great thing about making raw candy is there’s no cooking involved, no melting, no fancy candy thermometer necessary. Just a little soaking, blending, then pour into a baking cup. Top with nuts, raisins or fruit. I also tried a couple of pretzels, obviously that’s not raw but it’s such a great combo.

So chocolatey and decadent, I liked the nut ones the best. They remind me of family holidays with white gift boxes of See’s Candies. The chocolates with nuts were always the first ones to go, woe to you if you got to the box late in the game. Who knew they were so easy to just make yourself? Vegan, gluten-free and healthier too.

The cookbook begins with an overview of ingredients, equipment and basics. Recipes range from sorbets and ice cream to cakes, cookies and pies, all with no cooking or baking involved. Perfect for those deficient in dessert baking such as myself.

For a chance to win your own copy, click on the Luscious Vegan Desserts button (it goes to the publisher’s website) to sign up for BookPubCo monthly drawings for free books and to receive their newsletter.

Disclosure: I received the cookbook free of charge directly from the publisher. I was not influenced in any way, my bumbling attempts at making desserts are my own. I was not required to mention the book giveaway signup, but thought some readers may be interested in it.

This post also contains an Amazon link, I get a few coins tossed my way if you click on the link and make a purchase of anything.