Monday, April 14, 2014

"Oh She Glows" Review & Giveaway

I guess I was just living under a blog-rock. I had certainly heard of  Angela Liddon's blog "Oh She Glows," but for whatever reason, I hadn't ever tried any of her recipes. I started hearing good things about her new cookbook, and was getting curious. Then, as luck would have it, I was offered the chance to receive a review copy AND offer a giveaway! Yes, please!
Mr VE&T is really into this book

My first impression of the book is that it's crazy beautiful. Her pictures are so beautiful! And it's got a great layout: one recipe per page, a full-page photo of every dish, and the ingredients over in a side column. Each recipe has a "prep time" and a "cook time" estimate, and tells you all the details such as "gluten-free," "nut-free option" etc. As far as I can tell, this book is about 90% gluten-free, so that's cool for all you gf'ers out there in the world!


The first two dishes I made were the Creamy Avocado Potato Salad and the Pan-Seared Garlic Tofu. You guys. That potato salad is so damned good! The potatoes and asparagus are chopped up small and roasted to perfection. While they are roasting, you whizz up a super easy creamy avocado & lemon dressing... and then you just have to mix it all together. It's so easy and somehow just amazingly delicious. Mr. Vegan Eats & Treats fell deeply in love with this dish. He called it "Potato Chip Salad" because he says it tasted like Ranch-dressing-flavored potato chips. And it kinda did! I absolutely can't wait to make this again. It is totally great.

To go with it, for a protein blast, I made the tofu cubes and they were easy and quick and very yummy too. It was a good combo. I could definitely eat a whole bowl of tofu cubes like this in one sitting, but I practiced restraint and got a few servings out of it.


Next up, I tried the Indian Lentil-Cauliflower Soup. It's essentially like a red lentil dal recipe with cauliflower and sweet potatoes in it. I could see from the ingredients that it would be a quick and straightforward recipe and I that I might want to fuss with it. The spices she calls for are simple, so I threw in some mustard seeds and Indian chile powder for a little extra pizzazz. Once it was ready, I still thought it was a little quiet for my Indian-food-preferences, so I zinged it up with some hot sauce, fresh lime, and some tamarind paste. Yeah! Even though I modified the recipe a bit, I really liked this dish and I appreciated the framework of having this quick and yummy recipe to build off of. I would certainly use this recipe again for a foundation. I loved the chunky veggies in the dal... I don't usually do that in my dal, and they were delicious.

 this is fabric my grandparents brought home after their time in Ghana with the Peace Corps

Mr. VE&T got really excited about this book (so atypical!) - and was looking through it and picking out recipes for me to make. How fun! It was really fun to have his input and enthusiasm. Right away he picked out the African Peanut Stew. I always avoid peanut stew recipes because it seems like with all that peanut butter, it's just gonna be a giant calorie bomb. But I was so happy for Mr. VE&T's enthusiasm, that I wanted to follow through. And, actually, once I did the math, this soup wasn't very high-calorie after all - and full of good stuff. And, better yet, this soup is AMAZING. Like, holy moly, yumma-lumma-ding-dong good. We loved it so much. And it made tons. I'm not a delicate eater, and I think we got 5 big servings from this recipe. Plus, I just got the most delicious organic PB from Trader Joe's, so it was extra tasty. This soup = very good idea.


Next, I made the Protein Power Goddess Bowl. That name kinda freaks me out a little, so I just called it The Protein Power Bowl instead, and then I was comfortable again. This is a lentil-wheat berry salad with some veggies and a hefty tahini sauce on it. I made it for dinner one night and although I liked it quite a bit, Mr. VE&T thought the tahini experience was a bit intense and that it would be good with some carrots and greens. The recipe made quite a bit, so when I had some left overs the next day, I added in a diced up carrot and served it over a big bed of steamed kale. I think Mr. VE&T was right - it was really delicious like this! Also, the recipe is quite calorie-dense (and nutrient-dense!), so it was good for me to extend it with a big mess of greens. I still have some servings left, and I think I'll do this again for lunch today. It really kept me going!


Last but not least, I made myself a batch of the Spa Day Bircher Muesli. I had a big batch of homemade soy yogurt already, so this was very easy to whip up. You mix everything together, and then leave it in the fridge overnight. She says that it will keep for a few days... so in the morning, I portioned out 3 bowls and had this for breakfast 3 days in a row. So yummy! I've been having yogurt for breakfast often lately, and I really liked all the yummy stuff mixed in. Angela suggested adding maple syrup on top, which I did the first day... but actually I found that a little too sweet for my tastes. With all the fresh apple and dried fruits mixed in, I thought it was perfectly and pleasantly sweet on its own.

we are glowing with happiness after all that good food
So, as you can see, I've already made a lot of recipes from this book and I am really loving it! I have so many more recipes written down that I still want to try out... plus, I have to make that potato salad again pronto. So, this book is going to get a lot of use around here!
In general the recipes in "Oh She Glows" are definitely on the health-food side of things, which I really appreciate. There are no recipes calling for mayo or Earth Balance or such. I don't mind those ingredients, but I already have plenty of cookbooks that rely on stuff like that, and I don't want to eat that way too often. The recipes in "Oh She Glows" are almost entirely unprocessed, pantry staples. Not unusual or hard to find, but put together really nicely.


Giveaway!
Now the good news! You too can get your grubby little paws on a copy! The publishers of "Oh She Glows" are happy to offer a copy to one lucky winner in the U.S. or Canada. You don't have to do anything weird. Just leave a comment here and say something nice or interesting. I'll pick out a winner on Friday the 18th... Good luck!

Bonus!
-- so you can enter both of our giveaways!

70 comments:

  1. All of the recipes look great! I would love to get my hands on the book to see for myself. Thanks for hosting the giveaway!

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  2. Anonymous10:45 AM

    I really love Angela's blog- she's a whiz in the kitchen. I'm stoked she put out a cookbook.

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  3. Okay!!! Creamy avocado potato salad holy yum!!!!! What a cool give away

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  4. Thank you for the giveaway! I've been wanting to get my hands on this lovely book and your post confirms that for me. I hope your Sutra studies are going well!

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  5. oh wow! i've been really enjoying all the reviews of the OSG cookbook. all of the recipes you made look and sound amazing! i have made a Mollie Katzen peanut butter stew recipe and yea, it was really rich so I've only made it once--would love to make Angela's! I just love the cartoon of you glowing from the food :D

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  6. Sarah C.12:18 PM

    Her blog photos are always so lovely, but for some reason I've never made any of her recipes either. If I had the book I probably would all the time - these sound right up my alley!

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  7. Thanks for doing the review and giveaway! I love Angela's blog and can't wait to get my hands on her cookbook! I flipped through it at the bookstore and thought the mango strawberry guacamole looked amazing. I also want to try some of her smoothie recipes. :)

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  8. Anonymous1:54 PM

    These photos are making me so hungry!

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  9. Avocado Pasta seriously makes me drooool. I really need to get my hands on this book!

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  10. Your pics and reviews of these recipes have pushed me from curious about this book to 'I need to check this out!' I'm a major fan of African peanut soups and stews, so that is an exciting feature. Yum!

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  11. Anonymous3:09 PM

    thanks for doing the giveaway!

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  12. whoops! anonymous won't help me win anything! thanks for doing the giveaway!

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  13. I love her website. It's so good!

    BeccaMFerguson@aim.com

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  14. I've been following her blog for years :)

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  15. Woo! I would love a copy of this! That potato salad sounds amazing! Thank you for the chance to win!

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  16. I'd like a copy :) I follow the blog but sometimes it's much easier to make a recipe when it's in a cookbook.. .

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  17. I WANT THIS COOKBOOK. LOVE HER STUFF!

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  18. So happy to see another wonderful Vegan Cookbook and glad Oh She Glows is the author. I know this will be fantastic from all her blog posts. Thanks for the chance to win.

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  19. deniseT5:02 PM

    "Happy Tummy Time for Sure"

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  20. I got this book from the library a couple of weeks ago. Your review makes me want to go back and take a look at that potato salad recipe!

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  21. Thank you for giving this book away! I am excited about it even more after you review!

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  22. I <3 Angela's blog and would LOVE to try these recipes!! That tofu looks bomb...

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  23. I've enjoyed almost all of her recipes! I'd love to get my hands on this book!

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  24. Im not in the US or Canada, Im in New Zealand so I always miss out - but good luck to somebody! I follow Oh She Glows and her recipes are fantastic! Enjoy :)

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  25. Jstew525:28 PM

    I love Angela! She has such a positive outlook. Love her monster smoothies!

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  26. Anonymous5:48 PM

    Howdy Amey! Wow, that book does look amazing! I've made an African stew with peanut butter before and it was delish. I've heard alot about that book and it looks great. I'm going to have to get my hands on a copy soon :) Sarah Z.

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  27. WOW YUM! as a vegan, I have such a hard time finding things. peanut stew is one from my childhood that would be a must

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  28. That Indian Lentil-Cauliflower Soup looks beyond delicious. Thanks for the chance to win!

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  29. Amey, I love how you express yourself!

    I follow Angela's blog and would love a copy of her book for my collection!

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  30. The asparagus-potato salad looks absolutely delicious!

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  31. You've sold me on the avocado potato salad! :)

    Interesting fact: it is an acronym if you pronounce it like a word (NATO) and an initialism if you say each letter (IRS). Thanks for the giveaway!

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  32. That potato salad sounds amazing! I can't wait to try it. All of the recipes I've seen from her book look delicious.

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  33. Anonymous3:19 AM

    LOVE Angela's pasta sauces! Smoky butternut squash and cauliflower alfredo, yum.

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  34. I have been on a self-imposed cookbook buying moratorium- but I think that winning one in a giveaway would be ok!

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  35. Anonymous6:16 AM

    I am thoroughly enjoying the blog tour of Angela's book, and your post is no exception. Love the photos of the dishes made, and I am interested in your 'tweaked' yellow dal! A hallmark of a good recipe is it's adaptability for the creative chefs :)

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  36. Anonymous7:59 AM

    Those tofu cubes look fab!

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  37. I love her blog and plan on buying the cookbook.

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  38. Hi Amey, The recipes sound yummy for my tummy and good for my body. I would love to have this cookbook to try all the recipes especially the avocado potato salad, african peanut stew and spa day bircher muesli. I am really trying to eat well for my body and spirit. Thank you for your food blog and sharing of recipes. Have a good rest of your day and week ahead! Hugs from Marie Waltrip

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  39. I love OSG and think I'll make African Peanut Soup on this rainy day!

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  40. I would love to win this cookbook. I have read Angela's blog front to back and love how healthy yet satisfying her recipes are.

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  41. Terri Cole12:49 PM

    Try the Avocado Pasta! That stuff is crazy good!

    gaia (at) cinci (dot) rr (dot) com

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  42. I'm really excited about this book! It's been getting rave reviews on blogs and on amazon.

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  43. i want to make those tofu cubes! mmm!

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  44. I love your blog! i would love to win!

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  45. The potato salad does indeed look like it's worth the price of admission on it's own.
    Thank you for hosting the contest!

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  46. The potato salad does indeed look like it's worth the price of admission on it's own.
    Thank you for hosting the contest!

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  47. Angela is wonderful! So want to try the peanut butter soup.

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  48. Finally get to try more vegan varieties!

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  49. Carolyn9:12 PM

    Looks super yummy! Love Angela's blog and the cookbook looks like a great vegan staple.

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  50. Two of my favourite things - potatoes and asparagus - united in a creamy avocado dressing? That sounds heavenly! I really have to make that salad as soon as local aparagus are back in season (not sure how soon that will be, considering that it's been snowing today...).
    I must say I already own that book and love it too, so much so that I would love to win another copy because I would be thrilled to be able to gift it to a friend of mine. So thank you, Amey, for hosting this giveaway!

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  51. Michelle5:55 AM

    I'm a vegan cookbook addict. I'll definitely get myself a copy of this book one way or another! Thanks for the post.

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  52. I've gotta throw my hat in the ring for this one... I have yet to hear anything but a rave review for all of Angela's recipes, and I know that the photography is guaranteed to be stunning!

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  53. Anonymous10:40 AM

    This book has been on my wishlist since I heard about it! Very excited to read it!

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  54. I have been hearing nothing but great things about this cookbook. I especially appreciate the photo for each recipe. I loved reading your review!

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  55. That protein power bowl looks absolutely divine!

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  56. Wonderful giveaway! Her blog is amazing and her book looks like it too!

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  57. You chose wonderful recipes for your review. I may have chosen the same. Esp. the pan-seared garlic tofu!

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  58. Avocado potato salad?! And I thought potato salad couldn't get any better!

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  59. As I read this, I thought...I have all of the ingredients for that avocado potato salad!! Made my stomach growl just thinking about it. :)

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  60. I have several vegan cookbooks but many of them call for added ingredients that seem to take away from the flavor of the veggies. From your description of this book she appears to let the main ingredients shine. Would love to be the lucky recipient.

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  61. I would really love to win Angela's book! Keeping my fingers crossed.

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  62. I love your food, it all looks so delicious...and please count me in the giveaway.

    http://nuestracena-vegancuisine.blogspot.com

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  63. Anonymous8:03 AM

    I just love all of Angela's recipes, and I would love to win. Literally make a recipes from her everyday oatmeal, smoothies, etc.

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  64. Anonymous5:09 AM

    I love all the vegan cookbooks exploding into mainstream the last few years. Vegan living is just getting better and better.

    sue[at]vegantwins.[com]

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  65. Anonymous7:09 AM

    I must make the potato salad! Your post definitely makes me want to own the cookbook.


    Tam (linkmurphy@hotmail.com)

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  66. Thank you for hosting

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  67. Anonymous12:29 PM

    Somehow I've never tried her recipes either. These look great. I'm really curious about that potato salad now! ;)

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  68. The other night I made the Lentil Loaf from the Oh She Glows blog. It was so good with roasted vegies and gravy! Yum. I'm interested in trying more of her recipes based on that one.

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  69. I got a copy from the library to review: IT IS AMAZING!!! I would love to have a copy of my very own.

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  70. I love her blog! I didn't even know she had a book! I would love to add this to our household vegan recipe books! I really need some new inspiration!

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