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October 4, 2007

Win the 'Hot Damn and Hell Yeah' Cookbook!

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Hot Damn and Hell Yeah: Recipes for Hungry Banditos/The Dirty South Vegan Cookbook is quite an intriguing title for a cookbook. OK, it's actually two cookbooks in one. Details, details.

This has to be the bible of crunk vegan cuisine from the South. Both cookbooks—Hot Damn and Hell Yeah: Recipes for Hungry Banditos by Ryan Splint and The Dirty South Vegan Cookbook by Vanessa Doe—feature down-home recipes that are happily unhealthy and loaded with flavor.

The offerings range from "buttermilk" biscuits to Johnny cakes, from seitan dirty rice to fake fried chicken, and from turnip stew to onion "quiche." My friend Lindsay raves about the cookbook and "praises every day" the person who gave it to her. She supplied the photo here of biscuits and chunky white gravy. Yum.

Now, your queen of crunk—no, not Ciara, it's me—is giving you a chance to win a copy of the cookbook here! Just leave a comment about your favorite Southern vegan food—include a recipe if you'd like—and the best comment wins. It's that simple!

The contest ends on October 19, and the winner will be notified by October 26.

Just so you know…by giving us your details here, we're taking that as acknowledgment that you've read and agreed to our privacy policy. And by commenting, you are agreeing to the following terms and conditions.

November 7, 2007

Win Vegan Twinkies!

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A few months ago, I wrote about a fantasy involving a swimming pool filled with vegan Twinkies. That fantasy may soon become a reality, thanks to Vegan Honey, the Brooklyn-based bakery that offers up mouthwatering treats online at Etsy.com.

Vegan Honey sells pies, pastries, doggie treats, and more and even has a "Fauxstess" line, which features chocolate-covered vegan Twinkies! Just about every dessert I can think of is available on the site, and lucky for you, you now have a chance to win some of them.

Vegan Honey has been kind enough to donate a $40 gift certificate to Etsy.com that will go to one lucky winner. All you have to do for a chance to win is leave an interesting comment about your favorite vegan dessert—we'll keep it simple. The most unique, witty, inspiring, or delicious comment wins.

The contest ends on November 27, and the winner will be chosen and by November 30.

Just so you know…by giving us your details here, we're taking that as acknowledgment that you've read and agreed to our privacy policy. And by commenting, you are agreeing to the following terms and conditions.

November 15, 2007

Win Veggie Turkey!

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I'm really not trying to bombard you with contests. Seriously. But there are only two days left to enter our veggie turkey giveaway, so you better hurry! If you're the lucky winner, you'll receive—in time for Thanksgiving—four "turkey" breasts that are loaded with rice and cranberries.

Having these little prepackaged wonders delivered to your door will give you more time to get creative with your preparation. My friend Corey recommends baking them, but after I did a little more questioning, she fessed up that they can be deep-fried! Now that's right up my alley.

I have been told that you need to bring the oil to temperature before adding the still-frozen breasts. As they cook, the outside will become crispy and golden brown—an updated version of a Southern classic. I think even Paula Deen would be proud.

If you're not chosen as the contest winner, you can buy the "turkey" at most Whole Foods through January. Let me know how you end up preparing it or if you have creative suggestions for other ways to serve a faux turkey for the holidays.

December 21, 2007

Holiday Time-Saver: Vegan Baking Mixes!

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Can you smell the cookies and cakes baking in your oven? If not, then get baking! For me, the holidays are synonymous with baking, but if you don't have the time or don't know where to start, don't worry. There are vegan baking mixes to help you, and they're available at most grocery stores nationwide—you just have to know what you're looking for. Here's a quick rundown of some of my favorites:

Cherrybrook Kitchen: This company offers a variety of all-natural baking mixes that are peanut-, egg-, dairy-, and nut-free, including mixes for making chocolate or vanilla frosting, sugar cookies, chocolate chip cookies, fudge brownies, cakes, and pancakes. Yum! In addition to the tasty results from the mixes, Cherrybrook Kitchen provides adorable packaging and sells its products in major grocery stores. Or you can just enter to win a Cherrybrook Kitchen variety pack here!

Duncan Hines Wild Maine Blueberry Muffin Mix: Start Christmas morning off right with fresh blueberry muffins. I've been told that these muffins couldn't be easier—just add egg replacer and soy milk and you're left with surprisingly delicious muffins. Tracy, known to only make "hamburger" pizza bagels, said, "If I can make them, anyone can!"

Hodgson Mill Whole Wheat Gingerbread Mix: This mix is an easy way to sneak a little whole wheat goodness into your holiday baking, especially when it's in the form of an adorable gingerbread man. Or you could make them into any shape you'd like with the "Make Your Own Cookie Cutters Kit."

This is just a very short list of products I like. For more ideas, check out "I Can't Believe It's Vegan," or maybe some kind, holiday-spirit-filled readers will share their favorites here!

January 16, 2008

Win 'Skinny Bitch in the Kitch'!

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We're a couple of weeks into the new year, and if you're anything like me, you've already blown your resolution. But that's OK, because "if at first you don't succeed, dust yourself off and try again."

If your resolution was to lose weight, then you're in luck. PETA is having a contest to give away copies of Skinny Bitch and Skinny Bitch in the Kitch, which will help you recommit to that resolution of yours.

The contest says that the Skinny Bitch in the Kitch cookbook offers "vegan recipes for every craving—desserts, 'bitchin' breakfasts,' and 'PMS (Pissy Mood Snacks).'" And the authors, Rory Freedman and Kim Barnouin, say the book offers "Kick-Ass Recipes for Hungry Girls Who Want to Stop Cooking Crap (and Start Looking Hot!)." Sounds like a fun way both to keep this year's resolution and try out vegan recipes—how can you resist?

My resolution this year is top secret—I'll never tell—but if you made a food-related resolution this year, please share. Oh, and enter the contest!

February 4, 2008

Win Vegan Chocolates for Valentine's Day!

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Grab a towel before clicking on the link to the Allison's Gourmet Web site, because the pictures of gourmet desserts are going to make you drool. The boxes of chocolates are just like those my dad gave me for Valentine's Day when I was a little girl—except they're better because they're vegan.

Now is your chance to win the six-piece vegan chocolate assortment of truffles and caramels and the organic vegan peanut-butter cups. Even better, Allison's Gourmet is going to ship them to your door in time for V-Day, so you can give them to that special lady friend or man in your life—or just protest the holiday and eat them all yourself.

All you have to do to win is leave a comment below describing your favorite vegan Valentine's Day food. It can be a candy, a dessert recipe, a decadent savory item—anything goes! The most intriguing comment—as determined by me—wins the prize.

The contest ends February 10 at 12 noon, and the winner (one person will receive both the six-piece assortment and the peanut-butter cups) will be notified immediately.

Don't forget to check out all the delicious offerings at Allison's Gourmet. Good luck!

February 13, 2008

Win a Free Copy of 'Veganomicon'!

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The feisty stars of The Post Punk Kitchen and authors of Vegan Cupcakes Take Over the World, Isa Chandra Moskowitz and Terry Hope Romero, have delivered yet another masterpiece. You could say that their most recent effort, Veganomicon: The Ultimate Vegan Cookbook, is pretty much the bible of vegan cuisine. It includes a little bit of everything, using easy-to-find ingredients and easy-to-follow instructions.

You can enter to win a free copy by visiting GoVeg.com by February 28. Good luck!

February 25, 2008

Snap Into Free Vegan Jerky!

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Vegans can sleep well at night knowing that they're not missing out on the strange snack that is jerky, now that there are many meatless varieties on the market—one being the Slim Jim-esque Primal Sticks.

The long, skinny, tubular, individually wrapped "meat" sticks remind me so much of their distant cousin that I can even hear "Macho Man" Randy Savage's voice growling away in my head. And that's not surprising, since Primal Spirit—the company that makes both Primal Sticks and Primal Strips—believes that "a meat alternative product should be completely satisfying to both vegetarian and non-vegetarian diners. Doing that requires that a product have the texture and great flavor of real meat."

Whether you're a meatless-jerky lover or, even better, highly skeptical of this meatless wonder, now is your chance to win some Natural Smoked Flavor Primal Sticks. Three lucky winners will each receive one box containing 24 sticks to gnaw on. To win your free box, just leave a quick comment below sharing a little something about your favorite faux-meat product—whether it's a prepackaged, frozen item or one you make at home. The three most interesting comments win.

The contest ends on March 14, and the winner will be notified by March 21.

Just so you know…by giving us your details here, we're taking that as acknowledgment that you've read and agreed to our privacy policy. And by commenting, you are agreeing to the following terms and conditions.

March 13, 2008

Cookbook Giveaway: 'My Sweet Vegan'

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During her senior year of high school, author Hannah Kaminsky juggled the production of her first cookbook (My Sweet Vegan), schoolwork, and various hobbies. During my senior year of high school, I remember juggling slightly less, including finding ways to check out of school early, hanging out with friends, and working a not-so-demanding part-time job. To say that Hannah has one up on me, and many others, at the young age of 18 is in no way a stretch.

Even more impressive than Hannah's ability to create a vegan dessert cookbook at such a young age is the fact that many of the delicious recipes she included are surprisingly sophisticated, and she took every single beautiful photograph in the book herself.

Lucky for me and you, Hannah agreed to do a short Q&A with us and peta2. Learn more about Hannah by reading her answers below, and then enter to win your own copy of My Sweet Vegan. To win, leave a short message explaining the extent of your culinary skills at the age of 18. The most interesting response, as determined by me, wins (see complete contest rules below).

Hannah Kaminsky, Author of My Sweet Vegan
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When did you start baking?

I would occasionally help my mom in the kitchen when I was much younger. She would measure everything out and work the oven, while I handled the mixing duties. However, my solo baking adventures began around the age of 14, when I became vegan.

What was it that made you decide to go vegan?

I began experimenting with vegetarianism when I was a freshman in high school, but before I knew it, I was enmeshed in the issues of animal rights. I decided that no matter how hard it might be to make the transition, I wanted to do all I could to help the cause. To my great surprise, I had no trouble at all going vegan! Not once have I ever regretted that decision, either.

What is your favorite recipe?

While it's really hard to pick favorites, one that I find myself making over and over again is the Root Beer Float Cupcakes. Most people are just curious about how they will taste, but once they try a bite, they get hooked on the flavor and can't get enough of them! Beyond these cupcakes, the Green Tea Tiramisu is one of my personal favorite indulgences.

Chocolate or vanilla?

Oh man, tough one. When manipulated properly, both can be incredible flavors that go well with just about everything else. Seriously, don't make me choose! Can't we all just be friends and bake a marble cake instead?

Pies or cakes?

Cake, definitely. I love pie just as much as any other baked goods, but the extra step of making a crust can sometimes be a real pain. But…if we're talking about a graham cracker crust, then that's a different story altogether.

Cupcakes or cookies?

Honestly, after making so many thousands (probably millions, even) of cupcakes, I am starting to get a bit tired of them. Cookies take my vote right now, but of course that could change with little persuasion.

Any advice for the novice vegan baker?

I know that this has been said countless times before, but the best advice I can give is to be unafraid and try things out. Don't know how to replace the eggs? Who cares! Look around your kitchen, find things of similar textures, nutritional profiles, chemical properties, anything, and just give it a shot. No one has a definite answer as to what makes great vegan baking, just like regular baking, so never close your mind to the many possibilities that exist in terms of ingredients and methods. Most importantly, though, make note of your mistakes so that you can improve upon them and start cranking out awesome baked goods!

What's next for you?

I just started attending UMass Amherst, so a few more years of school lie ahead. However, whenever I'm lucky enough to get a ride home for the weekend, I go straight into the kitchen to work on my second dessert cookbook! There are so many exciting things brewing right now, I just can't wait to see where it all leads.

We will be giving away one copy of My Sweet Vegan. The contest ends on April 3, and the winner will be notified by April 10. And just so you know…by giving us your details here, we're taking that as acknowledgment that you've read and agreed to our privacy policy. And by commenting, you are agreeing to the following terms and conditions.

March 28, 2008

'VegNews' Magazine for FREE

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It was a pleasant surprise when I received an e-mail a couple of weeks ago from VegNews magazine offering up a free gift pack for a contest on this blog. VegNews is the first magazine about vegetarianism that I remember seeing in "normal" stores, and it looked just like all the other "normal" magazines. Something about that was quite comforting to a vegetarian teenage girl (me). At first I didn't know any other vegetarians, so seeing an entire magazine about my lifestyle—and in full color with glossy pages, no less—made me realize that I was not alone.

That's exactly why I'm happy to offer up the VegNews gift pack as a prize to one of my lucky readers. The pack includes the magazine's signature oversized tote bag, six jumbo vegan cookies, a copy of the current issue of VegNews, and a one-year subscription! Entering is easy. Just leave a short comment below telling me why you deserve to win the gift pack, and I will choose the best answer. That's it!

Details, details: We will be giving away one VegNews gift pack. The contest ends on April 18, and the winner will be notified by April 25. And just so you know…by giving us your details here, we're taking that as acknowledgment that you've read and agreed to our privacy policy. And by commenting, you are agreeing to the following terms and conditions.

Good luck!

April 17, 2008

Jamaican Jerk-Spiced Tempeh Nuggets

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VegCooking is now holding a contest where you can win free copies of Robin Robertson cookbooks, including Vegan Fire & Spice, so I decided to take a few recipes from the book for a little test drive.

One of the best that I tested was the Jamaican Jerk-Spiced Tempeh Nuggets. The recipe calls for boiling the tempeh for 30 minutes, which really helps soften the tempeh and make it slightly less nutty. I must warn that if you've never tried tempeh, you shouldn't expect this to taste like tofu or frozen faux chicken nuggets you buy from the supermarket. Tempeh has a very unique taste that you may need to learn to love.

After boiling, you then brown the tempeh in a skillet until there's a nice golden color on all sides. Next you're supposed to toss the tempeh with the jerk seasoning, but I feared the nuggets might be a little dry for my taste, so I added another tablespoon of oil and then the seasoning. Perfect.

I'll stop giving you the play-by-play of my tempeh nugget experience so that you can head on over to enter the contest. Hurry and enter now because the contest ends on April 30! Good luck!

Jamaican Jerk-Spiced Tempeh Nuggets
From Vegan Fire & Spice by Robin Robertson

1/2 tsp. garlic powder
1/2 tsp. onion powder
1/2 tsp. sugar or natural sweetener
1/2 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. allspice
1/4 tsp. freshly ground black pepper
1/4 tsp. ground ginger
1/4 tsp. cayenne
1/2 tsp. dried thyme
1 (8-ounce) package tempeh, cut into cubes
2 Tbsp. cold-pressed canola oil

•Combine the garlic powder, onion powder, sugar, salt, allspice, pepper, ginger, cayenne, and thyme in a small bowl and set aside.

•Place the tempeh in a saucepan of boiling water. Reduce the heat to low and simmer for 30 minutes. Drain the tempeh and pat it dry.

•Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the tempeh and cook, turning frequently, until browned on all sides, about 10 minutes.

•Sprinkle the spice mixture over the tempeh and toss until fragrant and evenly distributed, about 30 seconds. Serve hot.

Serves 4

April 23, 2008

Get on Her Good Side With Chocolate

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With Mother's Day about two weeks away, you still have plenty of time to find a good gift for your mom. I'm certain that I will be one of those people who chooses to ignore the ample amount of time and will wait until probably the day of to find the perfect present. Hey, at least I'll admit to this little personality flaw! If you are unlike me and would like to start planning your Mother's Day present now, you can enter to win a free box of gourmet chocolates for mom. That's right—we're giving away one box of gourmet vegan chocolates that will be shipped out to your mom in time for the holiday.

The Mother's Day Chocolate Box Delight (pictured here) contains more than a pound of dark and rice-milk confectionery specialties handmade from the finest Belgian chocolate and includes four sheets of nut chocolate, six assorted nut chocolate clusters, and two peanut butter cups—all topped off with another 21 mixed créme and solid chocolate pieces. Yum.

All you have to do for a chance to win the box of gourmet vegan chocolates for your mom is leave a short comment about a delicious vegan Mother's Day food. It can be a special meal you plan on making for your mom or, if you are a mom, what you wish someone would make for you. Anything goes, as long as it's vegan!

The contest ends on May 2, and the winner will be notified by May 5. And just so you know …by leaving a comment, you're acknowledging that you've read and agreed to our privacy policy and our terms and conditions.


April 29, 2008

Vegan Marshmallows: Win 'Em Here!

A chocolate-marshmallow sandwich!
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Marshmallows have never been on my list of "most missed desserts," but when I recently heard about a New Zealand company that sells vegan marshmallow kits, the wheels began to turn and I started thinking of other ways to use marshmallow mixture before it sets into squares. Then there was the "aha!" moment when I realized it could possibly be whipped up into the perfect meringue-like topping.

So you can't imagine how happy I was when Angel Foods, the company mentioned above, actually contacted me about testing its vegan marshmallow kits. Of course I said, "Hell yeah, but only if you'll donate a kit for my readers too!" (Contest details below.)

I just received my kit, and I must say that it does seem intimidating at first. Two packets of powdery white substances—I, too, wondered how many alarms that set off—and a seemingly complicated set of instructions (and you have to supply your own water, starch, sugar, syrup, and vanilla). But after reading the instructions, I realized that it's not complicated at all—you just need the proper tools (a candy thermometer and a stand mixer being the most important) and patience. I had neither.

Vegan lemon meringue bars
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I have to admit that I skipped the thermometer and just eyeballed it, and I also used a hand mixer instead of one on a stand, which the instructions do not recommend. I probably rushed the mixing process, too, because I felt like my arm was about to fall off, but with that said, the marshmallows still turned out great! Light, sweet, and totally addictive.

Half of the mixture was placed in a pan to cool and then later cut into squares. They are honestly much tastier than I even expected. The other half was added to the top of lemon bars for a meringue-like topping. For the meringue, I mixed the marshmallows halfway through the cooling process to try and create additional air pockets for lightness. This probably wasn't necessary and made the meringue look not-so-pretty, so I recommend piping it or scooping it onto your already-baked bars or pie as soon as it's done mixing. Regardless of how it looks, it tastes exactly how I remember lemon meringue pie.

The Angel Food vegan marshmallow kit
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Sorry for the long post, but reading it was worth it because now is your chance to win one of the vegan marshmallow kits from Angel Foods. Just leave a short comment below about what you'll do with the vegan marshmallows if you win.

The contest ends on May 20, and the winner will be notified by May 23. And just so you know…by leaving a comment, you're acknowledging that you've read and agreed to our privacy policy and our terms and conditions. Good luck!

May 23, 2008

Win Premium Faux Meats Here!

If you saw my post yesterday for the Southwest Veggie Burger and suspected that I would hold a contest for the featured product, Match Meats, well…you were right! Now is your chance to win a sampling of gourmet meat alternatives from Match.

One lucky winner will receive a 1-pound package of each of Match's top-selling vegan meats, including the "beef" I featured in my post yesterday. Just leave a comment below telling me what recipe you would love to use the product in, and the best answer, as determined by me, wins! The contest ends on June 13, and the winner will be notified by June 20. And don't forget that you can order the product on the Match Meats Web site if you're not the chosen one.

And just so you know…by leaving a comment, you're acknowledging that you've read and agreed to our privacy policy and our terms and conditions. Good luck!

July 25, 2008

Win the New Book 'Great Chefs Cook Vegan'!

Great Chefs Cook Vegan by Linda Long
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Charlie Trotter, Daniel Boulud, Jean-Georges Vongerichten, and Suzanne Goin—these are just a few of the contributors for the soon-to-be-released cookbook Great Chefs Cook Vegan by Linda Long. And the word "great" in the title is by no means an exaggeration.

The pages of the book are filled with recipes from an impressive group of A-list chefs who have kindly omitted the animal products they usually work with in order to create 100 percent vegan menus.

The recipes in the book are for high-end cuisine that would be a perfect fit for the pages of Gourmet or one of the many books where I've read about these very chefs. Reading about the food world is one of my favorite things, but it is always a bit disappointing because I know that I can't (by choice) experience what is being described. It has always been my dream that vegan food would become a bigger part of these magazines and books, and now Long has helped bring that dream to life by compiling all of these amazing recipes and by including gorgeous photos of each.

You can win your very own copy of the book—which won't be on shelves until August—by commenting here. Leave a short message and tell me something about one of your favorite chefs. No, they don't have to be vegetarian chefs, but please make the comments as veg-friendly as possible (don't say you like the chef at your local barbecue joint because of his tasty ribs—that's not gonna fly!).

The contest ends on August 15, and one winner will be selected and notified by August 22. And just so you know…by leaving a comment, you're acknowledging that you've read and agreed to our privacy policy and our terms and conditions. Good luck!

A few beautiful pictures from the book:

Zucchini Boxes Provencal with Black Mosto Oil, Red Pickled Shallots, and Opal Basil by Daniel Boulud*
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Homemade Garlic Tortillas with Tofu Scrambled Eggs, Roasted Seven-Tomato Salsa, and Fresh Guacamole by Josef Huber*
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Grilled King Oyster Mushrooms and Avocado Carpaccio with Charred Jalapeno Oil by Jean-Georges Vongerichten*
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Caramelized Silken Tofu "Brûlée" with Marinated Strawberries by Alex Stratta*
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*Photographs by Linda Long from Great Chefs Cook Vegan. Reprinted with permission by Gibbs Smith.

August 5, 2008

Last Chance to Win a FREE Slow Cooker!

Slow cookers are the perfect appliance for making easy vegan meals. Most of the recipes I've seen require little more than chopping, measuring, adding the ingredients, and turning on the slow cooker—that's it. With patience being the only real skill required for many of the recipes.

Surprisingly, with such simple preparation, you can make a wide variety of recipes, too, from pies and cakes to lasagnas and stews—almost anything is possible.

Hurry and enter our contest to win one of seven Crock-Pot® Slow Cookers now. There are only two days left! And while you're there, check out the recipes provided just for us by the Crock-Pot® brand. Enter the contest now!

© 2008 Sunbeam Products, Inc. doing business as Jarden Consumer Solutions. All rights reserved. Crock-Pot® and Smart-Pot® are registered trademarks of Sunbeam Products, Inc. used with permission.

September 26, 2008

Win FREE Vegan Meringue Cookies!

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Traditional meringue cookies are usually made from little more than egg whites and sugar. A recipe that has eggs as one of its only two ingredients might seem hard—OK, impossible—to veganize, but Angel Foods has released a new cookie mix that is making it a whole lot easier.

You may remember the name Angel Foods from my contest from a while back to give away its vegan marshmallow kit. Well, Angel Foods has now released a vegan meringue cookie kit that requires just water, sugar, a mixer, and a good dose of patience to make those airy and light French cookies you might be missing.

Now is your chance to win one of these kits and test it out for me! We'll be giving away one vegan meringue cookie kit on The VegCooking Blog and one kit on PETA Living. All you have to do to enter is leave a comment and tell me about your favorite cookie. Be creative, and please make sure that your comments are vegan-friendly!

And now for the legal stuff: The contest ends on October 17, and winners will be selected and notified by October 24. You should also be sure to read the contest terms and conditions and PETA's privacy policy before you comment—you're acknowledging that you have read and agree to both by leaving a comment.

October 3, 2008

Halloween Vegan Treats: Win 'Em Here!

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For most kids, Halloween isn't about getting the highest-quality candy or taking the time to savor each bite—it's about getting your hands on the largest pile of sweets your parents will allow and inhaling it as fast as you can. Well, that's what it was all about for me, anyway.

Fortunately, vegan kids around the country don't have to miss out on one of the few times of the year that it's OK to eat candy to the point of illness. Vegan candies are now easier to find than ever before, and many of the sweets on your local grocery store's shelves are even "accidentally vegan." Check out this list to learn more about them.

To help fuel this year's upcoming sugar buzz, I am giving away three Halloween candy prize packs courtesy of Pangea. The Halloween prize pack features VeganSweets Caramels (the first vegan caramels to hit the market), "Vampire's Lunch" Gummy Candies (ooh, creepy!), orange Candy Tree lollipops, and an Endangered Species chocolate bar.

All you have to do to enter is leave a comment below telling me whom, or what, you'll be for Halloween, and the three most creative answers, as determined by me, win!

And now for the legal stuff: The contest ends on October 13, and three winners will be selected and notified by October 14. You should also be sure to read the contest terms and conditions and PETA's privacy policy before you comment—you're acknowledging that you have read and agree to both by leaving a comment.

Good luck!

December 16, 2008

Win a Free Wellington From Native Foods!

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Native Foods is known as one of the premier vegan restaurants in California, with five locations across the state. Celebrities are known to frequent the hip and delicious eatery, and now you can experience a little of that star power right in your own home. That's right—Native Foods is giving away two of its delicious vegan Wellingtons here on the VegCooking blog.

The Wellington is an elegant centerpiece of puff pastry filled with savory seitan, organic kale, portobello mushrooms, orange-glazed yams, fabulous stuffing, and caramelized onions with shallot mushroom gravy on the side. Yum! The dish comes frozen, and you can bake it to perfection in about an hour.

If you'd like to get your hands on a Wellington in time for your holiday meal, you can still order one here or you can make one from scratch using our VegCooking recipe.

If you can stand the wait, enter to win a free one by leaving a comment below! Just leave a short comment about your favorite vegan holiday meal, and the two most creative answers, as determined by me, will win.

And now for the legal stuff: The contest ends on January 6, and two winners will be selected and notified by January 9. You should also be sure to read the contest terms and conditions and PETA's privacy policy before you comment—you're acknowledging that you have read and agree to both by leaving a comment.

Good luck and happy holidays!

March 9, 2009

Win 'The Accidental Vegan' Cookbook!

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Many people these days are skipping foods such as meat, cheese, and eggs in favor of healthier, more sustainable foods. Their reason for avoiding animal products isn't because of the cruelty involved but rather for health or environmental reasons, so they might not identify themselves as vegan or even vegetarian. Instead, they're accidentally vegan.

This is exactly how omnivorous chef Devra Gartenstein came to write the popular cookbook The Accidental Vegan. She's not vegan but avoids most animal products in order to keep her cholesterol down. In 2000, she compiled her healthy and diverse recipes—which feature simple instructions and no-fuss ingredients—for the original printing of The Accidental Vegan, but a new and improved edition has just been released.

We are giving away three copies of the new edition of The Accidental Vegan, which features more than 20 new recipes!

Just tell us why you're vegan or vegetarian by commenting (choose a reason from the list below), and three winners will be chosen at random.

a) Ethical reasons
b) Health reasons
c) Environmental reasons
d) All of the above
e) I'm not—but I love reading blogs about delicious vegan food!

The contest ends on March 30, and we'll contact the winners by April 3. Be sure to read our privacy policy and terms and conditions, as you're agreeing to both by commenting. Good luck!



April 3, 2009

Win a 'Vegan Soul Kitchen' Cookbook!

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It's no secret that I'm a Southerner who loves to indulge in soul food. It's often thought of as fried, fatty deliciousness that's nowhere near being good for you. Most of the time this is true, but it doesn't have to be, and Chef Bryant Terry is here to help you enjoy the healthier side of soul food.

Last month, Terry released Vegan Soul Kitchen: Fresh, Healthy, and Creative African-American Cuisine, which features 150 recipes inspired by African-American and Southern cooking (aka "soul food"). Unlike many stereotypical soul-food dishes, the recipes in Vegan Soul Kitchen call for healthy ingredients and use healthy cooking techniques, and they're still loaded with flavor.

Now is your chance to win one of two free copies of this new cookbook! Just leave a short comment below telling me about your favorite soul-food dish, and please keep it vegan-friendly. Two winners will be chosen at random.

The contest ends on April 30, and we'll contact the winners by May 5. Be sure to read our privacy policy and terms and conditions, as you're agreeing to both by commenting. Good luck!


May 6, 2009

Win PETA's Vegan College Cookbook!

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Do you live by the motto that anything worth eating can be made in a microwave? If so, the PETA Vegan College Cookbook is for you. The brand-new cookbook comes complete with 275 easy recipes that don't even require a stove, and today I'm giving away three free copies!

Don't worry—if you do actually know how to operate an oven or haven't been in college since before microwaves were invented, you can still enter. Just leave a short comment below and tell me about your favorite dorm-friendly recipe. It doesn't have to be made in a microwave, but it can be. Three winners will be chosen at random.

The contest ends on May 26, and we'll contact the winners by June 2. Be sure to read our privacy policy and terms and conditions, as you're agreeing to both by commenting. Good luck!




May 13, 2009

Win Your BabyCakes Here!

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BabyCakes has become NYC's most talked-about vegan bakery. Sure, owner Erin McKenna's appearances on the Food Network and Martha Stewart Television as well as in The New York Times, Food & Wine magazine, InStyle, VegNews, and Modern Bride have helped, but what's really created all the buzz is BabyCakes delicious vegan desserts.

BabyCakes is famous for its vegan, gluten-free, and (mostly) sugar-free recipes for cupcakes, brownies, cookies, muffins, and more. Now it's your chance to bring this little piece of dessert heaven into your own home.

We're giving away one free copy of the brand-new BabyCakes cookbook, and it's signed by author Erin McKenna herself!

Enter to win by leaving a short comment below that describes your favorite vegan dessert. The contest ends on June 5, and one winner will be selected at random and notified by June 12.

Be sure to read our privacy policy and terms and conditions, as you're agreeing to both by commenting. Good luck!

May 26, 2009

I Scream, You Scream, Win Vegan Ice Cream!

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Raspberry-Jalapeño, Pecan-Apple Danish, and Chocolate Martini Sorbet are just a few of the eye-catching flavor combinations in the brand-new recipe book The Vegan Scoop: 150 Recipes for Dairy-Free Ice Cream That Tastes Better Than the "Real" Thing from the founder of Wheeler's Frozen Dessert Company.

But the recipes are not all that surprising if you're familiar with Wheeler's. The 100 percent vegan ice cream company offers the widest variety of ice cream flavors I've ever seen, and they even offer several "adult" flavors like Bourbon-Chocolate Walnut, Rum-Pecan Caramel, and Banana Daiquiri. Yum!

Now is your chance to bring Wheeler's unique flavors into your own home. We're giving away 10 copies of the company's brand-new ice cream recipe book The Vegan Scoop.

And as an added bonus, Wheeler's has been kind enough to offer a "sneak peek" inside the book—the creator has provided five recipes free of charge. You can get those in PDF form here.

To enter to win, leave a short comment below telling me about your favorite vegan ice cream flavors or toppings. The only rule is that the comment must be about cruelty-free (i.e., vegan) treats. The contest ends on June 16, and 10 winners will be chosen at random by June 23.

Be sure to read our privacy policy and terms and conditions, as you're agreeing to both by commenting. Good luck!

June 3, 2009

Win a Gift Basket of Vegan Marshmallows!

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The temperature is getting warmer outside, and for many folks, that means it's time for fun weekend getaways, which include camping and nights spent sitting around a fire roasting marshmallows and making smores. Fortunately for vegans, the compassionate folks over at Sweet and Sara have created some superb vegan marshmallows that will stand up to your campfire and hot cocoa and are even good when veganizing your favorite rice-crispy-treat recipe without the nasty gelatin found in most marshmallows.

Now is your chance to win. VegCooking Blog and PETA Living fans can enter to win a fabulous gift basket of vegan marshmallows!

Sweet and Sara founder Sara Sohn has been vegan for 17 years. A few years back, she decided it had been way too long since she'd had one of her favorite childhood snacks: the rice crispy treat. With no culinary background but a lot of determination (and vegan sweets on the mind), Sara began her quest to create a vegan marshmallow, "the Holy Grail of animal-free sweet treats," and she did it!

With Sweet and Sara's marshmallows, the possibilities are endless. Mix them into vegan brownies for a rocky road effect. Dip them in chocolate fondue. Add them to holiday yams. Sweeten coffee or tea, or simply enjoy them as they are!

Enter to win a fabulous Sweet and Sara gift basket containing vanilla marshmallows, toasted coconut marshmallows, original smores, peanut butter smores, and bark. Just leave a short comment below telling us about the delicious vegan creation you will accent with your marshmallows if you win. One winner will be chosen at random.

The contest ends on June 30, and we'll contact the winners by July 3. Be sure to read our privacy policy and terms and conditions, as you're agreeing to both by commenting. Good luck!



June 29, 2009

Win LICK IT! a Book on Delicious Vegan Ice Cream

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If our recent contest for the ice cream recipe book The Vegan Scoop left you thinking, "Who wants ice cream with jalapeños in it?" or "I prefer alcohol in a cocktail, not in my ice cream, thank you," then we have a new ice cream contest that is perfect for you.

Lick It! Creamy Dreamy Vegan Ice Creams Your Mouth Will Love is the kid-friendly ice cream recipe book that has something for everyone. It contains more than 200 recipes for completely dairy-free ice creams and frozen treats that are made from natural ingredients. Sure, there are some gourmet flavors, but the real stars of this cookbook are the traditional ice cream flavors that can be used in pies, cakes, sundaes, shakes, and more!

Now is your chance to win one of five free copies of Lick It! Creamy Dreamy Vegan Ice Creams Your Mouth Will Love!

To enter, just tell us which classic ice cream flavor is your favorite and why:

a) Chocolate
b) Vanilla
c) Strawberry
d) Neapolitan
e) Other

The contest ends on July 20, and five winners will be chosen at random by July 24. Be sure to read our privacy policy and terms and conditions, as you're agreeing to both by commenting. Good luck!

July 21, 2009

Win 'The Vegan Table' for Your Vegan Entertaining!

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Choosing to eat meat-free meals doesn't mean that you have to dine alone. You can host backyard barbecues, holiday gatherings, and dinner parties—even for your meat-eating friends.

To help you throw the perfect vegan affair, author Colleen Patrick-Goudreau has released The Vegan Table: 200 Unforgettable Recipes for Entertaining Every Guest at Every Occasion. In her new book, Colleen offers a variety of recipes from around the world, and it's sprinkled with tips for vegan entertaining.

Now's your chance to win a free copy of The Vegan Table! Just leave a short comment below giving your favorite reason for entertaining guests. Is it for Christmas, a vegan dinner party fit for foodies, a cocktail hour for friends? Any event goes, as long as it's vegan!

We are giving away three copies of the book to three winners. The contest ends on August 17, and we'll contact the winners by August 21. Be sure to read our privacy policy and terms and conditions, as you're agreeing to both by commenting.

Good luck!

July 29, 2009

Post-Punk Kitchen Star Rocks 'Vegan Brunch'

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Isa Chandra Moskowitz is known for bringing a rock 'n' roll attitude to vegan cooking. Her recipes are always fun, easy to follow, never too serious, and—most importantly—delicious. Now Isa's bringing the same edge to one of her favorite meals in the new cookbook Vegan Brunch.

Vegan Brunch is full of revamped classics that are now served with a major twist. From Chocolate Beer Waffles to Samosa Smashed Potatoes, the book is full of recipes that will make the perfect meal to wake up to or even end the night with!

Isa's Web site, The Post Punk Kitchen, offers a few free sample recipes (complete with pictures) that you can try out now, but if you'd like to have all the recipes so you can whip up your own vegan brunch, enter to win a free copy on PETA Living now!

"Breakfast is whatever we eat first thing in the morning, but brunch is an event," says ThePPK.com in its description of Isa's new book. To that I say, Vegan Brunch is a cookbook not to be missed.

September 2, 2009

Win 'Vegan Lunchbox Around the World'!

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Jennifer McCann put vegan-food blogging on the map with her popular blog, Vegan Lunch Box, which features healthy school lunches packed in a "too cute" fashion. Now, supermom McCann is back and ready to give vegan lunch boxes everywhere a little international flavor, thanks to her new book, Vegan Lunch Box Around the World: 125 Easy, International Lunches Kids and Grown-Ups Will Love!

Recipes in McCann's new book include Japanese tiger bento box, Caribbean beans and rice, and even Russian tea cakes. Now is your chance to sample these recipes and more, because we're giving away three free copies of Vegan Lunch Box Around the World!

To enter, fill out the short form below by September 30. Three winners will be chosen at random and notified by October 7. Good luck!

Sorry! The contest has ended. Please check back often for more cookbook contests on the VegCooking blog.

October 6, 2009

Have Oprah's Chef in Your Kitchen

Remember when Oprah went vegan for three weeks? To make her transition to a vegan diet as delicious as it was healthy, she had vegan chef Tal Ronnen whip up all her meat-free meals—and now you can have Chef Tal in your kitchen. How? By entering to win his new cookbook!

In The Conscious Cook, Chef Tal, who also catered Ellen DeGeneres and Portia de Rossi's vegan wedding and prepared the first vegan dinner at the U.S. Senate, offers a diverse menu that goes far beyond veggie burgers and pasta. Recipes include Pine Nut and Basil-Seared Gardein Chicken With "Lobster" Mushroom Beurre Blanc and Artichoke and Oyster Mushroom Rockefeller, just to name a couple.

Head on over to PETA.org now through October 30 to enter the contest!

October 14, 2009

Win '1,000 Vegan Recipes'!

How many of you grew up with beaten and battered copies of Betty Crocker's Cookbook and Joy of Cooking lining your kitchen shelves? Finally, we have a vegan alternative to rival the classics—Robin Robertson's 1,000 Vegan Recipes.

1,000 Vegan Recipes by Robin Robertson
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Robertson's newest book is the most comprehensive vegan cookbook ever published and contains recipes for every course of any meal. It also features a handy "Fast" icon so you can easily identify recipes that can be made in a hurry, so it's perfect leisurely long weekends and busy weeknights.

Enter to win your free copy of 1,000 Vegan Recipes today by leaving a short comment below! Tell us about your favorite vegan recipe to make at home, and we'll choose one winner at random.

We are giving away one copy of the beautiful new book. The contest ends on November 4, and we'll contact the winner by November 10. Be sure to read our privacy policy and terms and conditions, as you're agreeing to both by commenting.

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The views expressed here are those of the author alone, are subject to change, and may not represent the views of PETA. They are being provided for informational purposes only and should not be construed as legal advice. Except where third party ownership or copyright is indicated or credited regarding materials contained in this blog, copying, reproduction, or redistribution of any of the documents, data, content, or materials contained in this weblog for personal, noncommercial use is enthusiastically encouraged.
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