October 2014

As we head into fall, it is time for some heartier, cold weather comfort foods. Nothing says comfort like a rich stew. This Beefless Stew comes together in a matter of minutes, so it makes a great weeknight meal.

In the past few years, the advances in vegan cheese have been remarkable, and Miyoko Schinner of Miyoko’s Kitchen is leading the charge.

Our Hard Cider Bread is a variation on our Cheesy Beer Bread. We replaced the beer with hard cider and added in some fall flavors to celebrate the season. Enjoy it with a glass of apple cider or a mug of our hot spiced cider. It’s the perfect cross between a cinnamon sugar donut and bread.

If you are a child of the 70’s, the word “casserole” conjures up images of canned tuna, canned cream of mushroom soup. noodles and maybe crushed potato chips or cornflake crumbs on top. Thankfully, Julie Hasson’s amazing new cookbook Vegan Casseroles: Pasta Bakes, Gratins, Pot Pies, and More will forever change how you see this staple of American cuisine. Julie takes the casserole out of the 70’s and into today. Casseroles are traditional comfort foods at their finest and Julie has updated these classic dishes by taking out all of the animal products without sacrificing any of the taste.

Originally called “Aggression” cookies, because all the ingredients were dumped into a bowl and mixed together, these crisp oatmeal cookies are easy to make and are ready in a few minutes. Next time the empty cookie jar calls, try these.

Michael writes about what it is like coming out gay, coming out vegan.

Every year when my family would get together for “Break the Fast” following Yom Kippur, a family friend, Charles, would always bring a pistachio cake. This cake became part of the tradition. Much like a Thanksgiving meal in that you know the menu before you get there, for breaking the fast my family always has the same foods: bagels, lox, cream cheese, assorted fish, blintzes and lots of pastries, including Charles’ pistachio cake. Ethan and I now bring our own vegan cream cheese and Ethan makes his famous Chickpea Tu-No Salad, which everyone loves. A few years ago, Charles moved to Florida and was no longer around for Yom Kippur. I stepped up and took over making the blintzes, both cheese and potato, and 100% vegan. The first time I made them everyone was shocked that they contained no egg or dairy. My father now asks me to make them every year and when

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We spent part of our anniversary at Peaceful Prairie Sanctuary in Deer Trail, Colorado. Read about our time there and the amazing people and animals who call it home.