I love the people at BenBella Books, they always send me the best cookbooks. The latest book I received was Jazzy Vegetarian Classics by Laura Theodore. Laura puts a vegan twist on American Family favorites. This book would be a great gift for anyone, not just vegans because the recipes are so good.
From the Publisher
Classic American meals just became healthier and more delicious with Laura Theodore’s vegan twist on traditional family fare. With more than 150 quick-to-prepare and gourmet-style dishes, Jazzy Vegetarian Classics features Laura’s original creations, such as vegan shish kebabs and cauliflower steaks with sweet pepper sauce, and other spins on time-honored favorites, such as spaghetti and “wheatballs” and decadent chocolate-ganache cake. Filled with easy-to-follow crowd-pleasing recipes, this cookbook will make nutritionally dense and plant-based dishes your new family favorites.
Fun and simple to incorporate into anyone’s lifestyle, Jazzy Vegetarian Classics provides 10 wholesome full-menu plans for everything from weekday meals to special celebrations such as parties and holiday dinners. Laura even includes suggestions on how to present appetizing, plant-based meals in unique and festive ways, with her “Jazzy Music Pick” for each menu to help set the mood.
Written for everyone—from seasoned vegans looking for innovative new dishes, to casual home cooks interested in adding one or two plant-based meals a week to their repertoire—Jazzy Vegetarian Classics includes guides to the basics of vegan cooking coupled with a glossary of common ingredients. Laura also provides simple instructions on how to use a variety of substitutes for “veganizing” timeless main dishes, desserts, soups, salads, and so much more.
Put on some good music and embrace a healthy, delicious, and jazzy lifestyle!
- ½ cup vegan dark chocolate chips (grain-sweetened variety works well)
- 6 large Medjool dates, pitted
- ¼ cup whole pecans
- ? teaspoon vanilla extract
- TOPPING
- 2 tablespoons pecans, walnuts, or hazelnuts, ground (optional)
- 2 tablespoons dark, nondairy cocoa powder (optional)
- Put the vegan chocolate chips in a double boiler over medium-low heat. When the chocolate has melted, remove from the heat. Meanwhile, put the dates, pecans, and vanilla extract in a high performance blending appliance and process to the consistency of soft dough. Transfer the date mixture to a medium bowl, pour in the melted chocolate, and stir until well-combined. Put the date mixture in the freezer for 7 to 15 minutes or until the chocolate has set enough to roll into small balls.
- Line a small baking sheet with unbleached parchment paper. Spoon out a heaping tablespoon of the chocolate mixture, and quickly roll it into a ball. Roll it in one of the optional toppings until completely coated. Continue in this way, forming all of the remaining chocolate mixture into balls and coating them in one of the optional coatings.
- Insert the end of a lollipop stick into each chocolate ball and place all lollipops upright in 2 separate mugs or shallow glasses, making sure they do not touch each other. Chill for 1 to 2 hours before serving. For a festive presentation, wrap each lollipop in cellophane and tie with a pretty ribbon. Stored in an airtight container, leftover lollipops will keep for up to 3 days.
- Put the vegan chocolate chips in a double boiler over medium-low heat. When the chocolate has melted, remove from the heat. Meanwhile, put the dates, pecans, and vanilla extract in a high performance blending appliance and process to the consistency of soft dough. Transfer the date mixture to a medium bowl, pour in the melted chocolate, and stir until well-combined. Put the date mixture in the freezer for 7 to 15 minutes or until the chocolate has set enough to roll into small balls.
- Line a small baking sheet with unbleached parchment paper. Spoon out a heaping tablespoon of the chocolate mixture, and quickly roll it into a ball. Roll it in one of the optional toppings until completely coated. Continue in this way, forming all of the remaining chocolate mixture into balls and coating them in one of the optional coatings.
- Insert the end of a lollipop stick into each chocolate ball and place all lollipops upright in 2 separate mugs or shallow glasses, making sure they do not touch each other. Chill for 1 to 2 hours before serving. For a festive presentation, wrap each lollipop in cellophane and tie with a pretty ribbon. Stored in an airtight container, leftover lollipops will keep for up to 3 days.
Jazzy Vegetarian Classics can be found online and at your local bookstore. It retails for $26.95.
What is your favorite Holiday cookie?
I received a copy of this book to facilitate the review. All opinions are my own.
Angela says
This is such a neat recipe. I love any cookie that has chocolate!