Jazzy Vegetarian Classics. Cookbook Review and Giveaway. Plus Oil-Free Chewy Chocolate Chip Cookie Recipe. Vedged Out 12 Days of Christmas.

DSC_0003Chewy Chocolate Chip Cookies, pg. 226

Are you on Linked In? Laura Theodore is one of the many great connections I’ve made on the Linked In network this year. She asked me if I would be willing to review her cookbook, Jazzy Vegetarian Classics. Of course I jumped at the opportunity. You can probably tell that I love reviewing cookbooks, and I’d heard so many good things about her cookbook!

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There are so many lovely things about this cookbook. First off, it’s a hardcover, which is a rarity for cookbooks these days. There are tons of full color photographs, which I appreciate since it helps you visualize the food you’ll be making. Another thing I adore about this book is that nearly every recipe uses common ingredients that can be found in almost any grocery store. There are only a few recipes that you’ll need to make a trip to the health food store to get any special ingredients. At the beginning of the book, Laura helps you with menu planning by pairing together which recipes (and the Jazz music to go with it) will go well together for whatever occasion, from casual to having guests for dinner.

Oh, and last but not least, even though the book is titled “Jazzy Vegetarian Classics,” all the recipes in the book are 100% vegan. (as you’ll see in the subtitle below, Vegan Twists on American Family Favorites).

DSC_0001Quick Tomato Salad, pg. 123

DSC_0011Polenta Pizza, pg. 158

Most of the recipes in this book are oil-free and there are many that are gluten-free. Only unrefined sweeteners and whole grains are used throughout, making this book every bit as healthy as it is delicious.

DSC_0009Raspberry Tofu Smoothie, pg. 84. It’s incredibly healthy, but almost tastes like you’re eating ice cream for breakfast.

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Now let’s get back to these whole-grain, oil-free Chewy Chocolate Chip Cookies. My kids didn’t even notice the oil was missing. They just gobbled them up.

Chewy Chocolate Chip Cookies

*recipe used with permission

  • 2 cups whole-wheat flour (I’m sure gluten-free flour could be subbed here)
  • 1 cup maple sugar
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon sea salt
  • 1 cup pecans, roughly chopped
  • 1 cup vegan chocolate chips (grain sweetened variety works well)
  • 1 1/2 cups fresh apple puree (see note*)
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1/3 cup plus 2 tablespoons nondairy milk.

*Chef’s Note: to make the apple puree, peel and core 3 very large or 4 medium apples. Rough chop the apples. Put the apples in a blender or a food processor until the consistency of smooth applesauce is achieved. Be careful not to liquify!

Method: 

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. Line a large baking sheet with unbleached parchment paper.

Put the flour, maple sugar, baking soda, baking powder and salt in a large bowl and stir with a dry whisk to combine. Add the pecans and the vegan chocolate chips, and stir with the whisk to combine. Stir in the apple puree, vanilla extract and nondairy milk and mix just until incorporated. If the dough seems overly wet, stir in a bit more flour, a tablespoon at a time. Alternatively, if the dough seems overly dry, stir in a bit more nondairy milk, a tablespoon at a time.

For each cookie, drop about 2 1/2 tablespoons of the dough onto the prepared baking sheet. Flatten slightly using the back of a flat spatula.

Bake 15 to 18 minutes, or until slightly golden around the edges. Remove the sheet from the oven and let cool for 2 minutes. Transfer cookies to a wire rack. Cool for about 10 minutes. Stored in and airtight container in the refrigerator, the cookies will keep for about 2 days.

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jazzy-vegetarian-classics

Buy the Hardcover copy of the book on Amazon here or get the Kindle edition here.

Or for a chance to win this amazing Giveaway, Click on the link below to enter the Giveaway! This contest is open to entrants in the USA only! You must also follow this blog by email or RSS feed to qualify. You have until Friday December 20th!  I will notify the winner by email on Monday the 23rd of December. GO!!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Day 1: Free Vegan Lifestyle Magazine. Day 2: Free Case of Butler Soy Curls. Day 3: Alternative Outfitters Vegan Boutique $25 Gift Card and Free Messenger Bag. Day 4: Sunwarrior Raw Vegan Protein Powder or Product of Choice Giveaway. Day 5: Tropical Traditions 1 Gallon Gold Label Virgin Coconut Oil Giveaway. Day 6: Sweet Debbie’s Organic Treats, Allergy Free & Vegan Recipes. Cookbook Giveaway. Day 7: Extraordinary Vegan Cookbook Giveaway. Day 8: Emaline Delapaix, Music Download Giveaway.

45 comments

  3. I am always on the hunt for new cookbooks! I am still trying to convince my dad/brothers that vegans can eat good food too haha

    Reply

  4. I’m a bit of a cookbook addict… I always check them out from the library, and I’d love to add a new one to my collection!

    Reply

    1. I wish my library was more well stocked, but then again, I’d probably be obsessing over each new vegan cookbook! This one is however, a very fantastic addition for a collection 🙂

      Reply

  7. I would love this book. I do not care for her delivery on the show but I love what she makes. This book must be great! Would love to add this to my collection. Need to impress my newly vegan husband.

    Reply

    1. I have to admit I’ve never seen the show, I don’t really watch TV. But I fell in love with Laura and felt like she really connected with her readers through this cookbook. It’s just fantastic.

      Reply

  8. I would love to win this because it is filled with delicious food that’s easy to make…the perfect match for a crazy busy college student!

    Reply

  12. I always DVR all her episodes in the little time I’ve known of her and am obsessed with her recipes. I would love this book!

    Reply

  14. Love watching Laura Theodore whenever I can catch her on my local PBS station. The cookie recipe and the polenta pizza make me want to RUN to the kitchen!

    Reply

  16. Our local PBS station used to air her show – LOVED IT! Made several of the recipes and they were divine!! Though she’s no longer on air I’d appreciate a copy of her recipes in print (to refer to whenever I have the time to cook – seems like I’m finding more time recently). It was hard writing ingredient lists down as they were rattled off during the show 😉

    Reply

  17. A good friend recently told me about the Jazzy Vegetarian and now I’m hooked! Need it make this cookie recipe. I’m looking to cut oil mostly out of our diets in the hopes to lose some weight. This cookbook is going on my wish list.

    Reply

  22. You rock girl. I am dumping my ten year collection of veg cookbooks to the curb. Oh, their glossy pictures looks nice too but your food is actually very do-able with stuff from a common veg. kitchen. It’s all about the nutrients baby.

    Reply

  23. Love your show, the recipes, the Pam Popper segments. I appreciate your passion & enthusiasm. And ooooh, our recipes work….every time. Thank you & happy holidays!

    Reply

  26. I like having a reliable cookbook to fall back on when I want to cook but don’t have any wild ideas to try. This looks right up my ally, with food that is healthy and delicious! The colors are so vibrant, too!

    Reply
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  30. I really would like to start cooking a little healthier for my husband and me in the new year, and it sounds like this book would be very helpful for that!

    Reply
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