Julie Hasson

Cookbook Review & Giveaway!

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I am so happy to finally get this book review posted, as you are going to love this cookbook! The book is World Vegan Feast by Bryanna Clark Grogan, with 200 fabulous recipes from over 50 countries.

Developed over many years of travel, study, and research, the book features global recipes for exciting dishes that you won’t find anywhere else. With recipes like Sizzling Saigon Crepes, Greek-Style Lasagna, Peruvian Sweet Potato Chowder, Singapore Noodles, Nepalese Green Beans with Coconut, Rose-Scented Baklava and Maple-Chocolate-Pecan Shoofly Pie, you will have a hard time choosing what to make first. I know I did. The book also provides icons to indicate gluten- and soy-free recipes, as well as recipes that can be ready in less than 30 minutes.

Everything that I have made from this book has been delicious! The picture below is of the Ugandan-Style Peanut Butter stew,which I’ve already made at least a half dozen times so far. It’s a rich, peanut and curry-spiced broth, which I can’t seem to get enough of. The night that I snapped the picture I was out of Soy Curls and subbed fried tofu and broccoli.

I have been slowly cooking my way through this book. So far I’ve tried the Tiramisu, Almond Creme Whipped Topping, Apulian Foccacia, Seitan Steaks, Boursin-Style Spread, No Knead Crusty Artisinal Bread, Vegan “Chicken-Style” Broth Powder, Vegan Sponge Cake, Vegan Gruyere, “Who Needs Fois Gras” Herbed Mushroom Pate, Bahn Mi Sandwiches and Sweetened Condensed Soy Milk. Everything has been phenomenal! There are still so many recipes that I want to try. I had hoped to have tons of pics to share, but alas, I usually remember to snap pictures only after we’ve devoured the food.

I am a longtime fan of Bryanna’s cookbooks (she’s the author of eight to date). One of the things that I love best about her writing, is that she infuses each recipe with so much information, you not only learn the history of each dish, but she walks you through each step of the recipe so that it comes out perfectly every time. She also includes loads of tips and variations for almost every recipe, giving you lots of ways to customize the recipes even further.

Here is the recipe for the Ugandan-Style Peanut Butter Stew. I hope that you enjoy it as much as I do. It is just as delicious with tofu and broccoli too.

Ugandan-Style Peanut Butter Stew
Serves 4

12 ounces seitan cutlets, cut into strips; or 3 cups reconstituted Soy Curls (2 1/4 cups dry), drained
1 large onion, sliced
2 to 4 cloves garlic, minced
1 large green or red bell pepper, sliced
1 large ripe tomato, sliced (or 4 drained canned tomatoes, chopped)
1/2 tsp salt
1 to 3 tsp curry powder
1/4 to 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes
1 1/2 cups chicken-style vegan broth
1/4 cup natural crunch peanut butter
1/4 cup hot water

1. Heat a large nonstick skillet sprayed with oil from a pump sprayer over medium-high heat. Add the seitan and cook until lightly browned. Remove from the pan and set aside.

2. Add the onion, garlic, bell peppers, and tomato to the same pan and stir-fry over medium heat, adding water if necessary to prevent sticking, until the onion starts to soften. Stir in the salt, curry powder, and red pepper flakes. Add the broth and seitan, cover, and simmer for 30 minutes.

3. Whisk the peanut butter with the hot water in a small bowl to make a soft paste. Add to the pan and stir until the sauce is smooth. Taste for salt. Serve immediately.

Adapted from WORLD VEGAN FEAST, by Bryanna Clark Grogan, 2011, Vegan Heritage Press

Lucky for you guys, Vegan Heritage Press is generously letting me do a giveaway. So, one lucky reader is going to win a copy of Bryanna’s new book! Leave a comment below (along with a way for me to reach you) for a chance to win.

Unfortunately this is open to US residents only.

Now what are you waiting for? Go!

 

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Malia

    I am making a shopping list for the Ugandan stew now! You can drop off the cookbook at Sidecar 11 on Mississippi! 😉 thanks!

  3. Carrie Horsburgh

    Wow! That sounds fantastic! I’m hoping this contest is open to residents of Canada as well. I have a couple of Bryanna’s books and they are wonderful. (As is your Vegan Diner I might add!)

  4. Leslie Solomon

    Hey Julie!

    I would love to add more vegan recipes to my repertoire. Can’t wait to try the stew.

    Leslie

  5. Lisaisplanted

    Believe it or not it’s the sweet and condensed soy milk that intrigues me. I have a test recipe in my pile of bars that my used to make that calls for it. I have come close to the flavors but they are still lacking – this just might be the key.

    Thanks for the review. 🙂

  7. Vicki Hodge

    The stew looks delicious! Thank you for the recipe. I’ve been wanting World Vegan Feast and didn’t realize there are recipes from over 50 countries! That is awesome.

  11. Oneida

    Hi Julie,
    This cook book will be so great to have, we are homeschoolers and we do an International Dinner each month with other homeschoolers.

  12. Jill Halvorson

    After I went through the conquest and conquering of breast cancer, I chose to compeletly change my eating habits. No red meat, no milk, fresh veggies, fresh fruits , raw veggies/fruit , detoxing foods, basically taking better care of my food intake. My niece turned me towards healthy healing to miy body vegan style. I need to continue to add more recipes to my cabinet of vegan food. So far I get these receipes from my lovely niece and Brianna on facebook. I would love having a whole complete cookbook of hers. I will continue eating healthy and keep my body healthy. Thank you for your lovely idea for this marvelous thoughtful giveaway. Good luck to everyone. By the way I have been cancer free 12 years now, I personally believe due to better eating habits. GO VEGAN!

  13. mamachandra

    I know what’s for dinner tomorrow at my house! Love Brianna’s recipes. So excited about this book (and to have such a delicious looking sneak peak to try out!) thanks!

  14. Emily

    I have had my eye on this cookbook ever since it came out and I would love to own my own copy. Thanks for hosting such a great giveaway!

    Not to mention, that peanut butter stew looks fabulous.

  15. Laura

    I’m drooling over that peanut butter stew! Oh, and I’d love to win the cookbook, too (greencabaret@hotmail.com)

    –Laura

  17. Cadry

    That stew sounds wonderful. Peanut butter is great in savory dishes. I’ve heard a lot of good things about this cookbook. Everyone seems to love it.

  21. Sara

    How cool! I’d love a copy of that cookbook. My vegan cookbook collection is coming along nicely and this would make a wonderful addition.

  23. Maileika

    Vegan is the life for meeeeeee! Lol I look forward to owning this book if I win the giveaway or if I have to purchase it!

  24. Marcy

    Add me to that list. That stew recipe sounds wonderful. I can’t wait to cook my way through her book.

  26. Mac McCloskey

    We adore you – Julie – and Bryanna, and own cookbooks authored by both of you. While we already have The World Vegan Feast, we’d appreciate a personally signed one. And, if we can get to PDX in sync with your schedule, we’ll bring yours for an author’s signing!

  28. Jeanne Endsley

    I am a fan of both you and bryanna… I would love to receive this book. I miss your videos from when I first found you on the internet before you and your husband started your lunch business.

  30. Tammy Chaney

    This sounds so good! I have all the ingredients except the chicken vegan broth. Wonder how it would taste with veggie broth…??? This sounds so good and perfect for this cold rainy day! LOVE Bryanna’s recipes! Thanks for sharing!

  31. Lizzie

    Definitely adding the stew to my “recipes to be made soon” pile! As much as I love seitan, I think your tofu variation is the way to go on this one. Looks delicious.

  34. MollyG

    That looks super delicious. I may make it for dinner tonight! Consider me entered in this contest!

  35. Julie

    Oh, how I’ve wanted this cookbook…and I NEVER win anything! Please, oh please, break my losing streak and let me win!

  39. Erin

    The stew recipe has me hooked. I’ve always enjoyed Bryanna’s recipes, but haven’t gotten to see this latest cookbook yet.

  43. Elizabeth

    This book sounds great I like to try all different recipes, this stew is what’s for dinner i have all the ingredients handy even the soy curls (thanks for that tip)would love to have this book in my cookbook collection.

  52. MizzB

    Love Bryanna’s books, too. On a wait list at my local library to check out this book. Thank you for posting the recipe; anxious to try it. Thanks for the giveaway and a chance to win.

  53. Elaine

    Thanks for the chance to win this book, Julie! Love Bryanna’s recipes and now I’m going to check out yours.

  58. Teslaca

    This sounds like a fantastic cookbook. The Sizzling Saigon Crepes sound especially appealing. I’d love to try any of these recipes though.

  63. Jacqueline

    The stew looks amazing! There’s a great Bolivian peanut soup that I grew up with. Can’t wait to try this one!I recently became vegetarian a few months ago and it’s been wonderful. I’d LOVE to win this cookbook for more inspired veg cooking!

  64. Sharon

    New vegan here:) Learning more things everyday. Would love to have a vegan cookbook! The stew looks delicious!

  65. Psuke

    Oooooo, I’ve been waiting for this to come out – there’s so many fabulous teasers on her blog!

  68. Joeann

    I’ve tried so many vegan dishes but I’ve yet to convince my husband that vegan food is delicious. Maybe this book will help, or maybe I’m just a lousy cook 🙁