We are just going giveaway crazy over here at Chic Vegan. We’ve got Free DVDs, and Cookbooks! We are just giving it all away! We are starting a revolution!
But seriously, I recently received a copy of Christy Morgan’s new book, Blissful Bites and it is so lovely! It is easily one of my favorite cookbooks already – and this comes from a diagnosed vegan cookbook hoarder.
The layout and design of the book is beautiful and fun, this is important because, let’s face it – cookbooks that are laid out poorly suck. There are inspirational quotes, tips, and ideas hiding in every nook and cranny. Each chapter is sectioned off into seasons, so you can prepare food with what is freshest in your area. This is the first cookbook I have ever encountered that does something like this, and I think it is genius!
The emphasis of Blissful Bites is simple food that is nourishing and delicious. Christy will school you on macrobiotic eating, food sensitivities, and how to prepare certain food for optimal digestion. Since the recipes are organized seasonally, there is also a huge emphasis on eco-eating which is something that not many people think about or even know how to do. If you have been wondering how to make the best of your farmer’s market score, than this is the book for you!
My favorite recipes so far from the book are the Tropical Three Bean Salad, Sushi Rice Bowl, Magical Raw Tacos, and the Indian Pizza with Mango Chutney (see below). I can’t wait to dig through the rest of the book and truly be nourished by the rest of Christy’s recipes. And that is exactly how I would describe this book if I had to sum it up in one word: nourishing.
You guessed it, we are giving away a copy of Blissful Bites to one lucky (or persuasive) Chic Vegan reader. All you have to do is leave a comment telling us what nourishes you. It can be something that nourishes your body, or soul. Get creative! Only Chic Vegan Newsletter subscribers are able to enter, so make sure you are signed up! The last day to enter is 9/5.
**To get entered TWICE, tweet this: “Win a Free copy of the @theBlissfulChef’s new cookbook Blissful Bites from @chic_vegan http://bit.ly/n9y20u” **
And as promised… an amazing recipe from the cookbook in question:
Indian Pizza with Mango Chutney
For The Pizza
- 3 cups cooked polenta
- 1/2 cup filtered water
- 2 cups cauliflower florets
- 1 cup red bell pepper, thinly sliced
- 1 tsp curry powder
- 1 tsp garam masala
- 1 cup of cooked chickpeas or 1 can
- 1 Tb tamari
Mango Chutney
- 1/2 cup coconut palm sugar
- 1/4 cup red wine vinegar
- pinch of sea salt
- 2 cups of frozen mango, defrosted and finely chopped
- 1/4 cup golden raisins
- 1 Tb grated ginger
- dash of red pepper flakes
- dash of coriander
- 1/4 teaspoon of curry powder
Directions
- For Chutney: Combine sugar and vinegar in a small saucepan and bring to boil over medium-high heat. Reduce flame to low and simmer for 5 minutes. Add the rest of the ingredients and bring back to boil. Simmer, uncovered for 45 minutes, stirring occasionally. Meanwhile, make your polenta crust and toppings.
- For Crust: Cook one cup of polenta with 3 cups of water and a pinch of sea salt until a porridge consistency is created. Pour hot mixture into a 9×13 casserole dish and let cool completely. Once cool, flip onto a greased baking sheet and bake for 30 minutes at 350 degrees.
- For Toppings: Meanwhile, water saute veggies with spices, chickpeas, and tamari with lid on. Stir occasionally for 10 minutes or until cauliflower is tender. Remove lid and cook until water is absorbed.
- To assemble pizza, spread the chutney all over pizza crust, then top with veggie mixture. Bake at 350 degrees for 15 minutes.
- Cut into squares and enjoy!
This is probably the most complicated recipe in the whole book, but it is my absolute favorite recipe so far. The above photo is straight from the Blissful Bites cookbook, because my food photography is “a work in progress”.
Enjoy and good luck!
I am nourished first and foremost by my gorgeous little dog Zach, my fun loving gorgeous girlfriends, being grateful for everything I have, cooking vegetarian dishes for my family and Xtend Barre dance classes.
I am nourished by my gorgeous little dog Zach, my fun loving girlfriends, cooking vegetarian dishes for my family, Xtend Barre dance sessions and appreciating everything I have xx
Laughter nourishes my soul. My own or others. There seems to be pure joy in an honest, eye watering, gut laugh.
Laughter nourishes my soul. My own or others. There seems to be pure joy in an honest, eye watering, gut laugh.
I adore Spinach!!!
I live 100 miles from my 85 yr old mom, who has dementia. I call her twice a day and each call makes my day complete – I am so grateful to still have her with me. Last night we shared several hours at my hotel, feeding the ducks, swans and fish and watching a program about Mae West, who she remembered like it was yesterday, and a nature show about leopards. Today, she won’t remember she was here, but I will. We laughed, we cried and we ate together – and I was nourished and so was she. And the hotel had two vegan options for dinner with room service to boot -it just doesn’t get any better than that!
I would love to win this! Sounds amazing!
Time with friends nourishes me…
Leah DeBoardLubbock, Texas
I am nourished by friends who share my passion for good, clean, wholesome food and a cruelty free life. Family who support my lifestyle and ethics without question or judgement. Acquaintances who wonder and ponder and challenge. Strangers who are interested enough to ask questions and listen with an open mind and spirit. I’m nourished by sharing parts of my life, and my reasons for living it the way I do, with everyone I come in contact with…
Kindness nourishes me. Sounds so simple, but it’s true!
Currently, I am lacking in “nourishment” both in food and spirit. In the past, I felt nourished by what I thought was a healthy lifestyle, both in my food choices and life choices. Now, I’m not so sure. I am beginning the journey of learning about plant-based nutrition and need all the help I can get. I’m both excited and scared … however, I AM nourished by the idea of learning new ways to think about food and I would love to win this book as a resource for my journey.
I tweeted the giveaway information: https://twitter.com/#!/cinnymom/status/110898871764393987
This cookbook looks amazing! Love the photographs and can’t wait to try some of the recipes. Thank you for putting this together for all of us!
Wow I have been looking for a cookbook that is vegan that I can use for seasonally this looks great and I cant wait to try the Indian Pizza. Thanks for putting this up for us.
chocolate ,nut butters, & carob chips nourishes my mind, body, & soul.
I love the idea of an Indian pizza on polenta – what a blending of cultures.
I am nourished by the smell of fresh baked cookies and the hugs and kisses of my son.