(Clockwise from top left): Vegan for the Holidays book, Tempeh Bacon Stuffed Mushrooms, Savory Lentil Terrine with Mushroom Wine Sauce, Mustard Greens with Tempeh Bacon
This may surprise many of you, but I’m not vegan. When I started this blog, it was not intended to promote a vegan lifestyle (there are plenty of great vegan beauty blogs, like Logical Harmony and Vegan Beauty Review – I love Tashina and Sunny!). My goal has NEVER been to preach or tell anyone what to do. My number one goal has always been to let people know that yes, animal testing is still rampant, no it’s not necessary, and yes there are plenty of wonderful alternatives to cosmetics that have been tested on animals! That being said, I think being vegan is an admirable trait and I fully support anyone who lives a vegan lifestyle.
(Clockwise from the top): Cranberry and Pear Compote, Roasted Orange and Purple Sweet Potatoes, Savory Chestnut and Fruit Stuffing, Roasted Brussels Sprouts and Carrots with Balsamic Glaze
My boyfriend’s parents, Zel and Reuben Allen, are actually “vegan celebrities.” They have run a website called Vegetarians in Paradise since the ’90s. The site is filled with vegan recipes, product reviews and restaurant reviews. Zel and Reuben run vegan cooking classes and attend many vegan events. They love to have vegans and non-vegans over for delicious dinners in their home – many of which I have been lucky enough to attend. 🙂
Dessert: Wiliamsburg Pumpkin Pie!
Zel has TWO published recipe books out. One is called The Nut Gourmet, full of delicious nut-based vegan recipes. The newest book is called Vegan for the Holidays. It includes recipes for Thanksgiving, Hanukkah, Christmas, Kwanzaa and New Year’s. Since Gregg and I were going to Zel and Reuben’s for Thanksgiving, we tried our hand at two of the recipes from her book. The ones we picked were actually from the Kwanzaa section (vegan soul food – yeah!). We made the Tempeh Bacon Stuffed Mushrooms and Tempeh Bacon Mustard Greens. I am so NOT a cook, but these recipes were easy to make and they were DELICIOUS! I plan on making them again on non-holidays!
Zel, Reuben and Gregg’s sister, Amy, made the other delicious dishes you see in the pics above – all from Zel’s book. For a copy of the book, you can visit Amazon.com or VegParadise.com.
These all look delish to me! Interesting recipes and inviting food presentation. Now I’m salivating and it’s 12 midnight here!!!
Wow, Vegetarians in Paradise was one of the first vegan websites I used! I still make the Vegan Chopped Liver from there! It’s great. That said, I feel sorry for you. With so much vegan info and food around you, and knowing about the impact of a compassionate lifestyle on the animals, what is keeping you from living the life? So many of us have sacrificed friends and family who are uncomfortable with our choice to be vegan because it forces them to face their own choices. Sounds like you’d have plenty of support to make the change.