Unlike most cookbooks, I read the entire Vegan Divas Cookbook all the way through. Normally I will only read parts of the first section then flip through the recipes to see if anything pops out at me, then I will put the book on the shelf and forget about it. This book kept my attention from the very first page. Most cookbooks don’t start out with personal stories and struggles. Nor do they come with comprehensive and knowledgeable ingredient lists. This book will keep your interest and make you want to whip out your mixing bowls and turn the oven on – and get baking!
The book starts out with the Fernanda Capobianco’s story of growing up in Brazil, but knowing the personal need to become as fully vegan as possible; it isn’t every book that brings you an authors ethics and personal standards. Following her story is a comprehensive list of pantry items, both gluten free and not, with explanations of why you should have the items on hand, then heads on into some amazing sounding breakfast and brunch items. After that? Look out, because we are heading into sweets territory and boy do they look and sound amazing. And decadent. And super easy. One of the worst things about a cookbook are that the recipes have too much going on in them to make them realistic. Or make me want to make them. If the ingredient list is too long or directions too complicated then I don’t even think about trying them. These recipes however are not intimidating at all. I mean just check out the Passion Fruit “White Chocolate” Mousse on page 122. So super simple and easy and with a different flavor than I have seen before – passion fruit!
Using her Brazilian heritage in her recipes really comes through in the different spices and add-ins in her amazing baked goods. Oatmeal Raisin Chili Cookies or Spicy Gingersnaps, anyone? Who would have thought to add chili powder to oatmeal cookies or black pepper to gingersnaps? Or making more tropical flavors come out in her baked yummies, like the Pineapple Squares or Mango Pineapple Cake. With different ingredients like these, Fernanda’s cookbook stands apart from other books that I pick up at stores and put down. Her knowledge comes through in her different baking recipes – makes me want to travel to NYC and have her make me something. Even though I don’t eat chocolate I would definitely be eating her Vegan Divas Chocolate Layer Cake if Fernanda made it for me!
After all those luscious baked goods come a few breads then on to the real food. The good food. Like the Roasted Kabocha Squash with Peanut Sauce; I have never had this type of squash but Fernanda describes it as between pumpkin and sweet potato – yep, I am definitely trying this with the peanut sauce. And the Vegetable Sushi Rolls? I have had this on my list to make for a while now, but haven’t wanted to try it. She explains how to make the rolls from cooking the Japanese rice all the way through the rolling; this is another one of her recipes that sound easy for sure. She also had the classic American dish, Macaroni and Cheese, with a different way of making it “cheezy” than I have seen.
The book ends with some Vegan Basics, like pie crusts and frosting. Ever wanted to know the different toasting times for roasted nuts? That’s in the Basics section, along with a how-to guide for making almond milk. Add in a few sauces and a vinaigrette and you have one awesome cookbook on your hands! One of the best things about this entire book are The Savvy Diva tips. While making different items is fun and sometimes enlightening, it can also be worrisome that you are making it right, or it won’t taste like what the recipe is supposed to be. Fernanda starts each recipe with a little tip on the flavor combo or her reasons for making things. It is a fun read, and the Savvy tips after some of the recipes are super helpful also.
This book was an awesome read, and gave me some good recipes to try out. Needless to say, it did not get put on a shelf and get forgotten!
We have a copy of The Vegan Divas for one lucky Chic Vegan reader. Follow the instructions below to enter. U.S. residents only, please. Contest ends at midnight EST on Sunday, January 26th. Good luck!
Carrie D. says
Chocolate chip cookies! Or maybe orange cupcakes. Tough call.
DawnW says
Cakewalk Baking Co Dillo-Qs. So good.
Zyxomma says
Homemade, my baked wild rice pilaf (sage, onion, mushroom, chestnut, dried cherry, goldenberry, etc.). Store bought? Probably the gluten-free vegan bagel at Jennifer’s Way. Yum.
Lisa G. says
Vegan pumpkin bread with vegan frosting all made using ener-g egg replacer instead of eggs. Yum!
Anna K says
My favorite would probably have to be vegan pumpkin muffins.
Sheila Chaffins says
Mac and Cheese!
saniel says
Vegan cinnamon rolls, lemon cookies and sugar cookies.
Jana Pendragon says
Anything chocolate!
S Owens says
My favorite baked good is cheesecake.
Ali says
Peanut butter chocolate chip brownies!
Rachael says
Avocado chocolate cake!!
Monica says
Twister Wrap from Native Foods Cafe
Amy Kristen says
I make a mean vegan/gluten-free oatmeal pumpkin chocolate chip cookie bar!
Jess Hollows says
Banana bread from the Veganomicon cookbook
Audrey says
I love apple pie with caramel sauce!
Dalores Lounds says
Chocolate chip cookies.
Barbara Johansen says
Chickpea choclate chip cookies
Jessica says
My favorite treat is Muffins!
Shelley Lowther says
Vegan chocolate chip
Cookies!! Nom nom nom
Jackie says
A good brownie always sounds exquisite.
Elena says
My favorite vegan baked good is a moist slice of carrot cake!
Leah says
So many good recipes, but I think Hot Chocolate Cookies win as my favorite 🙂
Rebecca Young says
Raspberry & chocolate blondies!
Dori says
Vegan chocolate cake!
Veronica @ Veggie V says
I love my own flourless peanut butter chocolate chip cookies, but I also have trouble resisting vegan cupcakes when I happen upon one 🙂
mae says
baked granola bits, using oats, coconut oil, cinnamon, nutmeg, walnuts, vanilla, and agave. it is sooo yummy, can also add raisins after baking.
Shannon L says
Definitely zucchini or banana bread, i missed them so much ! <3
Denise Thomas says
My BFF currently bake a vegan lasagna . Soooo good.
Cynthia says
Mexican Hot Chocolate Snickerdoodles
heather says
Vegan gluten free pear cake 🙂
Megan says
There are so many good choices! Right now, I’m in the mood for banana bread, so I’ll say vegan banana bread is my favorite 🙂
g says
vegan red velvet cupcake
Patricia Campana says
My favorite vegan desert is chocolate cake
Elizabeth Geras says
I love warm, fresh-baked, vegan pumpkin bread!
Doris says
These vegan chocolate brownies from Earthfare.
Sara says
I’m new to this, but I made some vegan chocolate chip oatmeal cookies from another cookbook I got from my library and they were really good!
Lisa says
Brownies or anything chocolate!!
Amy B says
chocolate brownies, no contest.
Melissa says
I have had a great time making vegan baked goods, especially but my favorite are ones I didn’t make. I got them at a local bakery that offers several vegan options. They have a warm weather cupcake called raspberry lemonade. There’s a pocket of raspberry in the center. Ug, it’s winter and I want one!
Dorothy says
Depends on what I’m craving! Can’t go wrong with anything chocolate-y mmm!
Bronwen says
Baked cauliflower cheese. Yum 🙂
Cathy Eckert says
Vegan macaroni and cheese!
Randi Pearson says
Date bars with nuts, cacao, and mint extract 🙂
Stephanie Duncker says
I love vegan cream pies. I make some mean Grasshopper and Mexican chocolate ones 🙂
Terri Haydon says
Vegan anything chocolate! My sister made chocolate vegan pie during the holidays and it was sooooooo yummy!
carrie says
chocolate cake, yummy!
Shirley says
Any type of vegan cookies!
Marcie says
My friend makes awsome vegan baked doughnuts!
Mara says
My favourite dessert that’s vegan is the vegan tiramisu from Vegan Treats
Deborah H says
Vegan cupcakes 🙂