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!
My compassion nourishes me!
I read a great review of this book in Veg News so would love to have a copy! And I will also name Veg News as one of my sources for mental nourishment and motivation!
Knowing that I am not harming any animals by being vegan nourishes my soul. 🙂
My gratitude for the whole foods I eat nourishes me!
Watching my six year old son skateboard fearlessly nourishes me; he’s amazing!
denisse
my kids! they are full of energy and their love nourishes me every day!
Breathing in fresh air (coming in through the window)and looking at the trees(outside the window).Nature nourishes me and looking out the window is the closest I get to it these days.Okay,and chocolate,too 🙂
Indian food!
No matter what I am doing, or what state of mind I am in I can get nourishment in my soul by doing outreach for veganism. Whether it is answering questions from someone who is wanting to become Vegan, to spreading awareness through the internet about animal rights-meaning they have the right not to be used as objects. I know that I can make a difference, even if I am just one person I can help others.
My soul is nourished daily by the joy, love, and laughter that I receive from all my beloved companion animals… They say laughter is wonderful for the soul and with my crew around I sure get a lot of it … from the “stinger bee” sounds of my little chihuahua as she plays to the championship wrestling matches on the bed between my pomeranian and terrier mix… 🙂
I feel nourished by spending time with family and friends, also please note that I also tweeted. Keeping my fingers crossed!
I feel nourished by spending time with family and friends. Also, I tweeted!
Curling up on the couch with my mum, coffee, dark chocolate, and whatever DVD series we’re currently watching nourishes me body and soul 🙂
art nourishes me; being a quiet person, i have another outlet for my thoughts/feelings/emotions that i usually don’t verbalize. it allows me to express my inner outgoing self through creativity 🙂
Brown rice! It’s clean, simple, forces me to slow down and chew, make almost anything a complete meal, and there are an abundance of healthful things that can be added along with it to create an intensely flavored, one-dish meal full of all the essentials the body needs.
Reading great books nourishes my soul.
I love preparing a meal for my family with fresh ingredients that are in season. The process of preparing the food, cooking it and consuming it as a group with family and friends is so rewarding. Honestly, I some times take leave time from work so I can go home early and regroup and cook.
Talking to my mom on the phone will do it eery time!
I am nourished by green smoothies, running, and good friends!
Roasted root vegetables with thyme, so nourishing!
tweeted! http://twitter.com/#!/coniecone/status/109134791714156545
I am nourished by food from my local Farmer’s Market and the lovely scenery surrounding me here in San Diego!
I am nourished by the ever-changing delights of the farmers market – from spring asparagus to winter squash!
Spending time with my son nourishes my heart 🙂
I’d say my family. They are amazing and always a phone call away and it’s easy to get them to join me at my favorite vegan resturaunt!
Peanut butter black bean soup!!
No torture of living beings involved! My soul is calmed by the knowledge.
I’d LOVE to win a copy of this fantastic looking cookbook. I strive to cook seasonally, but it’s not always easy in our fast paced culture. I’m currently vegetarian, but am planning on going vegan. Step #1 in my plan is to acquire more vegan cookbooks and plan some tasty foods that my family won’t rebel against. THANKS!
I think what nourishes my soul and heart the most is traveling. I enjoy being somewhere else, particularly places that fit who I am better than where I live. I hope to be able to live somewhere that has my vibe very soon.
Animals, hiking, & veggies are some of the things that nourish me. This cookbook looks great!
Meditation nourishes my soul! It makes me feel whole & able to see the world more clearly. i’m a subscriber !
Living in the land of factory farming
Being a vegan is quite alarming
to those who love their meat.
Vegan blogs, podcasts, books and zines
Nourish my soul and keep me in beans
when I feel the heat.
reading a good novel, sketching, or making something really nourises my soul. 😀
Delicious, organic vegan food and friends!
When the Evenings turn cooler, and I’m relaxing on the Couch after a long day, my Cat Minnie will come and sit by me, and stare right at me. If I tap my lap twice she’ll jump up and settle into a cosy position there. Her gentle Purr, the warmth of her sleeping there, and her Sweet and Loving Spirit all Nourish me beyond compare.
Giving gratitude and love for all that surrounds me nourishes my spirit daily.
Green juice! That an the adrenaline of planning a wedding to my amazing compassionate fiancée.
I love Christy Morgan & her healthy recipes! I used to download her seasonal web cookbooks & would love to have one in print!
inspiring people who care about animals and our planet nourish me.
I feel nourished by meditating and listening to classical music
Ruth
I am nourished by the love of my friends and family. I return that love by being present and by cooking amazing vegan maeals for them.
Yum, would love another vegan cookbook to add to my growing collection! I am nourished on a nightly basis by a peaceful walk on the beach with my hunky husband and our two rescue dogs, typically followed by some excellent grub based on whatever veggies arrived in our CSA box that week.
Being in the countryside; listening to the birds, not having to listen to traffic noise, feeling and breathing in the fresh air, this nourishes me.
The cover recipe alone looks delicious! I am nourished by my yoga practice, sitting still above big rocks and cuddling my little papillon.
For me it could be meditation, yoga , eating…I’m very privilege because my dad is a vegetarian chef and i get to eat a very wide option of veg. dishes one of my favorites is blackened Tofu .
My animals nourish me (figuratively); well, my soul; that’s why I don’t use animals as nourishment (literally)
What nourishes me is the joy that I have
when creating healthy, great tasting dishes
for my family and friends;)
My friends nourish me!
In the past year I have gone Vegan, volunteered at an organic farm picking and packing CSA shares and have completely had to learn Vegan speak and Vegan cooking. In this process I’ve learned that I am nourished, soul and body, by growing, nurturing and eating plants. I also am nourished by learning. There is something soul-energizing about going from clueless to understanding to getting it and doing it right. Add the “icing” on the cake…knowing that what I just “got” will help others.
What I Feel is Nourishing is the Love and Respect of Family and Friends who have encouraged and supported my decision to eat mindfully and for the past 3 months I have followed a Vegan Diet… never feeling better in my life!! Thanks so Much Chic Vegan!!! 😉