Showing posts with label testing. Show all posts
Showing posts with label testing. Show all posts

Wednesday, May 11, 2011

Memory Lane - PIctures from Recipe Testing HAWT!

Today is my Friday. This translates in to 12 hour work days = no kitchen time. All that I really want to do is head to the kitchen for a good creative day. But alas, this will have to wait until the morrow. I haven't posted for a few days and I am dedicated to posting more often. So today, while I don't have any new material to post, I did find lots of testing pictures.

The three books featured here today all came out this past year. I was lucky enough to be selected by the authors to be a recipe tester for all three. It seems like the testing was ages ago! Now, you might think I am biased because I was a tester. Admittedly there are always a few recipes I'm not crazy about. But honestly, I really loved so many recipes from each book, that I think they are worthy of your consideration. I am including links to Amazon to make it easy for you to find the descriptions and reviews of the books. This pictorial should give you a good sampling of some really excellent cook books you should add to your collection!

I'm going to go Alphabetical by book title in the name of fairness.


It is hard to pick a favorite from AVK. But this San Fran Seitan Wrap is right up there. The marinated seitan is TDF but add the cool Asian slaw and experience something really special.


This Chicago girl can tell you that this Chicago Style Pizza is aces. Make sure to cook it in an iron skillet for a nice texture on the crust.


Check out the All American Incrediburgers. They are eerily like the texture of the meat version. They are incredible on the grill.



While the Nut-Topped Almond and Hazelnut Bundt Cake might not be the most photogenic selection from this book, this cake is a star. The nut topping is sublime. I had a totally vegan-phobic co-worker not just eat it, but he also requested the recipe so that he could have his wife make it for him. 


Yes folks, this yeast bread challenged girl actually made these beautiful Hot Cross Buns. I still have a precarious relationship with yeast, but these turned out perfectly. This is a wonderful vegan version of an Easter classic.


I know I've posted these before, but they are so good, they deserve a double post. The Car Tire Cookies are a bit labor intensive. The results are more than worth the effort. These were by far my favorite recipe from the book.



There is a little backstory to this next pie, the Banana Pudding Pie. First off, I always LOVED banana cream pie. I thought I'd never again be able to indulge in the luscious creamy delight in a vegan version. I am so glad I was wrong. Fred and I had decided to visit Oregon. We met a bunch of the PDX PPK gang at the Bye and Bye. Here is where I was introduced to and solidified a food crush on the lovely Julie Hasson. She showed up with this pie and made my dreams come true. Besides being an awesome creator of crazy good recipe, she is as sweet as this here pie. After chatting for a while, she invited me to test for Vegan Diner. Oh happy day!


We need to get some savory in to the mix. Here is a Southwestern version of the Quinoa Burgers. Get your napkins ready and eat up!


No diner menu would be worth it's weight without a great onion ring recipe. Enter the Beer Battered All-American Onion Rings. The coating on these is crispy and perfect, leaving you with a creamy sweet onion on the inside. Pass the catsup and salt!







Saturday, November 27, 2010

MOFO - Day 27 - Black Bean Chili

Just getting in under the wire. I tested a wonderful version of Black Bean Chili from Carla Kelly's upcoming "One Pot Wonder" book. It is smoky, mushroomy and black beany. You'll have to wait for a bit, but it will be worth it. Yummy for your tummy!!

Friday, September 4, 2009

More Testing - Ripe from Around Here

I just started testing for Jae Steele's upcoming book Ripe from Around Here. I'm not sure what the anticipated publish date is, but I will keep you posted. This book will focus on local ingredients and a fresh, healthy approach to cooking. Here are some goodies from my first week of testing.

Savory Stuffed Mushroom Caps





Broccoli Salad




Tomato Chard Bake




Apple Flax Pudding




Morning Glory Muffins



Thursday, September 3, 2009

Testing Complete - American Vegan Kitchen

It is with mixed feelings that testing for this yummy book is complete. This was such a fun testing experience I am sad it is over. But I am super excited that the book will be out soon. It can be pre-ordered through Amazon, but if you can wait, please order if from vegan.com once it is released. There are some classics and delicious twists on American classics. If you feel you'd miss some of your favorite foods by eating compassionately, this book will change your mind. Here are some more teaser pictures from the upcoming book.

Chickn and Dumplings


Fried Zuccini

San Fran Wrap/One of my personal favs from testing
Burgers!



Pizza and Lasagne

Thursday, August 27, 2009

Vegan Diner Testing


Once again I get the distinct pleasure to test for yet another tasty and incredible cook book. This time it is the fabulous Julie Hasson's Vegan Diner. This book is going to be chock full of dishes we all know and love. It will remind you of those fantastic little diner's where the food is even more tasty at 1am! Above you can see the Quinoa Burger done up southwestern style.

Below is a creamy delicious smoky grilled cheeze with tomatoes.


I never thought I would be able to enjoy a Banana Cream Pie without the milk. But here it is! This creamy sweet delicousness is even better than I imagined.


Red Onion Rings - pretty self explanatory. These are crispy and oh so good.


This decadent beauty is a Dark Chocolate Cherry Cake. Be careful, looking at it may make you gain 5 lbs. This is an easy way to get your chocolate fix. The cherries add a moist deliciousness to the cake. MMMMM.

My advice to all of you is to save your pennies. The books that have been introduced to you here on the blog are all going to be really great additions to you collection. This one is no exception. This week I'm going to be testing for Jae Steele's new book - Recipes from Around Here. Hopefully I will have the time to blog about my adventures with her recipes this week.

Bon Apetit!

Sunday, July 12, 2009

Testing for American Vegan Kitchen - Salads

So yesterday Tami was finally able to give the OK to blog about testing for her upcoming book "American Vegan Kitchen". This cookbook will truly dispell the myth that food must be laiden with animal products to be American comfort food.

She puts up test recipes at such a fast pace that I can't even keep up! This is a great thing. It gives a tester lots of choices, not to mention great variety in the kitchen. Variety is the spice of life...no. Testing has been going on for quite some time, but I was just invited recently. I'm so thrilled to be in on this. Tami is a creative marvel. I can't list much about the recipes, but I can show you pictures with faux titles (kind of like faux meat) for your viewing pleasure. This is yet another one you need to get your hands on when it comes out in 2010. There is nothing wrong with being a cookbook addict. I highly recommend it.

For your first peek, there will be some great salads. I'll keep posting more from different categories each post, so stay tuned.







Friday, July 10, 2009

Testing - Viva Vegan - Peruvian testers

I haven't posted for such a long time. I've been busy getting married. The wedding and plans took up quite a bit of time and energy, but so worth the effort. We had a great wedding weekend with lots of friends and family in town. As you can imagine, there wasn't a whole lot of cooking going on.

Now we head into our busy season at work. But this will not stop me from cooking. I'm just slacking a bit on posting.

I was invited to test for two more upcoming books; Viva Vegan by Terry Hope Romero and the other to be announced later (it is a stealth project). I can't wait to be able to let the cat out of the bag on that one.

We've had a lot of fun travelling the latin globe in our kitchen. Let's have a peak. (I can't post the recipes of course. Make sure you get a copy of Viva Vegan when it comes out!)

First stop was Peru. So far Peruvian food has proven to be high on the list of favorites. I know little about Peruvian cuisine, so I can't give much background (yet). I can tell you the bold flavors make my tastebuds very happy indeed.

P.S. I do plan on getting back to the restaurant reviews as time permits.


Peruvian Antichucos (Skewers)





Peruvian Red Chili Corn Salad





Seitan Saltado