A Quiet Hurricane Season — So Far

Tropical storm Dan marks only the fourth this season, which runs from June to November.  By contrast, in 2005, a record-breaking year, we recorded 27 tropical storms and 15 hurricanes, 7 of them major, including Dennis, Katrina, Emily, Rita, and Wilma.  Although 2011 has had a quiet hurricane season so far, it’s still a good idea to be prepared.

We found out in 2003 how important it was to be prepared while living in Virginia Beach.  The storms came, took out our power, and left us in the humid oven of late summer with very little nonperishable food.  The result of our experience became the book I wrote, Vegan Unplugged: A Pantry Cuisine Cookbook and Survival Guide. 

The book has concise instructions for how to prepare for a hurricane, but also for any time when the power goes out, including ice storms, snow storms, earthquakes, and thunderstorms.  It’s also a terrific resource for pantry cooking, with excellent recipes by Robin Robertson that can be cooked in 15 minutes or less.

Dan is only number four this year, but a lollapalooza may be just around the corner.  Have a copy of Vegan Unplugged on hand before disaster strikes and keep you and your loved ones prepared.  With its quick, easy recipes, this book can also save the day when you simply don’t feel like cooking!

Vegan Fire and Spice Goes For 8th Printing

I'm pleased to announce that Vegan Heritage Press recently placed an order for the 8th printing of Robin Robertson's Vegan Fire & Spice.  Since it was first published in January 2008, the title remains the premiere guide for spicy international vegan cooking.

Organized by global region, the book provides 200 recipes for dishes as diverse as Red-Hot White Bean Chili, Vindaloo Vegetables, Thai Coconut Soup, Penne Arrabiata, and Satays with Ginger Peanut Sauce.  The regions featured include the U.S., Mexico, the Caribbean, Europe, Africa, the Middle East, India, and China.  The recipes were designed to be as spicy as you want them to be, from mildly spiced to nearly incendiary.

If you don't already have this book, now is a good time to spice up your life (and your vegan cooking repertoire) with a copy of Vegan Fire and Spice.

Blooming Platter — In the “News”!

—VegNews, that is.  The July issue of the VegNewsletter features the recipe for the luscious Mango Coconut Sorbet from The Blooming Platter Cookbook by Betsy DiJulio.  According to VN, this “refreshing, fruity sorbet is the ideal way to cool down on hot summer days. With just three simple ingredients, you'll be whipping up a tropical blend of mango, coconut, and lime in no time for the ultimate warm-weather dessert.” 

Betsy takes The Blooming Platter Cookbook on the road next week for her West Coast book launch at the famed Millennium restaurant in San Francisco.  Stay tuned for photos of what promises to be an amazing event.

In other VHP news… The countdown begins for the long-awaited publication of Bryanna Clark Grogan’s new book, World Vegan Feast.  With the final editing complete, the book is currently at the printer.  Check back soon for your first look at this fantastic new cookbook.