Vegan Unplugged Hurricane Season Special!

Hurricane Irene left 3 million people without power. As we used to live in Virginia Beach, we know the misery that can bring.  For that reason, I wanted to make Vegan Unplugged especially affordable through hurricane season.  Until November 1, if you buy 1 copy of  Vegan Unplugged through www.veganheritagepress.com at $11.95 ($14.95 retail value), I'll ship you 2 copies -- that's one copy for you and an extra one for someone you care about.
Now there's no excuse for being stuck with peanut butter and crackers whenever the power goes out.  The 80 recipes in the book were created by someone I know – Robin Robertson – and they're ready in 15 minutes or less using pantry ingredients.  The book also provides menus, grocery lists, emergency preparation tips, and advice to keep your companion animals safe and sound.

Ginger-Walnut Rum Balls

I hope everyone in the path of the hurricane is safe.  Since so many people are without power, I thought I’d post a recipe from Vegan Unplugged to help make like a little sweeter. These little rum balls were a tasty treat that was one of our favorites when we were frequently without power in Virginia Beach.

The best thing about this recipe, in addition to getting to drink the leftover rum, is that no cooking, baking, or refrigeration is needed to make them.  In fact, they’re even better when allowed to sit out at room temperature!  If you’re not a fan of ginger snaps, substitute another type of cookie.  To finely crush the walnuts (and cookies) enclose them in plastic bags and gently roll over them several times with a rolling pin or wine bottle – or use a rubber mallet.  (When you’ve got power, you can use a food processor to make your cookie crumbs and ground walnuts!)

For a non-alcoholic version, use apple juice in place of the rum.

P.S. You don't need a hurricane to make these -- they're great anytime!

Ginger-Walnut Rum Balls

This recipe is from Vegan Unplugged: A Pantry Cuisine Cookbook and Survival Guide by Jon Robertson © 2010.

1 cup finely crushed vegan gingersnap crumbs

1/2 cup plus 1/4 cup confectioners’ sugar

1/4 cup finely crushed walnuts

2 tablespoons dark rum

2 tablespoons maple syrup

In a bowl, combine the cookie crumbs, 1/2 cup of the confectioners’ sugar, the ground nuts, rum, and maple syrup.  Use your hands to mix together thoroughly until the mixture holds together.

Shape the mixture into 1-inch balls.  Roll the balls in the remaining 1/4 cup confectioners’ sugar and arrange on a plate.  Cover with plastic wrap and let sit for several hours or overnight at room temperature to allow the flavors to develop.

Be Prepared—with Vegan Unplugged

Over the next few days, Hurricane Irene will come charging up the East Coast.  After the recent earthquake, she must have thought she’d be welcome here.

Well, she’s not.  But since she has her mind made up, I wanted to remind everyone about a book I wrote (and publish through my company Vegan Heritage Press) that can help anyone through days and weeks without electrical power.

The book is Vegan Unplugged: A Pantry Cuisine Cookbook and Emergency Guide, and it’s become a treasured little book to those who use it, hurricane nor not.  The book offers 80 recipes by someone who works upstairs, Robin Robertson.  These amazingly delicious recipes are all made from unrefrigerated pantry ingredients, mostly using one pan, and in under 15 minutes.  Make Black Bean Chili, Pan-Fired Blueberry Cobbler, Samosadillas, Quick Bean Burritos, Moroccan-Spiced Vegetable Stew, and many more.  (These samosadillas are one of my favorites):

The book also has concise checklists for emergency steps to protect your household and companion animals.  It’s a lot of book in a small package.

Order online from Amazon, B&N.com, or direct from Vegan Heritage Press. It’s a great book to have on hand to get through the long wait for the power to turn back on.  If you can’t get it in time for Irene, you’ll be glad you have it for the next one.

Stay safe, everyone!

Blooming Platter Cookbook - Sold-Out SRO Booksigning

Congratulations are in order for Vegan Heritage Press author, Betsy DiJulio on the success of her recent book-signing for The Blooming Platter Cookbook at the Barnes and Noble in Virginia Beach.  It was a standing-room-only crowd, and the books sold out quickly.  Read all about it here on Betsy's blog.

By the way, if you don't already own a copy of The Blooming Platter Cookbook, now is an ideal time.  As the abundant summer produce will soon blend effortlessly into vegetables and fruits that peak in the fall, the seasonally organized recipes in The Blooming Platter Cookbook, can help you cook your way deliciously through the seasons.  Check out the Look Inside feature on Amazon as well as some great photos from the book that are posted there. 

World Vegan Feast – What They’re Saying...

World Vegan Feast author, Bryanna Clark Grogan is truly an expert on vegan cooking and has 20 years of experience and research to back that up.  But don't take my word for it.  See what some prominent vegan authors and chefs have to say about World Vegan Feast:  

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 Bryanna Clark Grogan is a master of the art and craft of cooking, and this collection of international recipes is her crowning achievement. The book is rich with helpful tips, generous instructions, and well-researched food facts. With many low-fat recipes and special icons to indicate gluten-free and soy-free recipes, this is an essential book for anyone who wants to eat a healthy plant-based diet and still enjoy the flavors of traditional international dishes.

— Neal Barnard, M.D., president of Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine and author of 21-Day Weight Loss Kickstart

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 Bryanna’s highly anticipated eighth cookbook is inspiring, unique, beautifully written, and sure to become a classic. Browsing through these exceptional recipes was so exciting, I felt compelled to start cooking my way around the world. You’ll find fascinating details on ingredient basics, an abundance of helpful sidebars and tips, menus, and much more. Whether you are a pro or a beginner, a vegan, vegetarian, or just thinking about trying something new, you’ll want this book. It’s like having Byranna in your kitchen cooking with you.

— Fran Costigan, author of More Great Good Dairy-Free Desserts Naturally

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 World Vegan Feast is a culinary trip around the word that will introduce you to exciting dishes you never heard of and offer new twists on old favorites. From Creole Grits and Grillades to Peruvian Caramel-Filled Pastries, you’ll find enticing recipes with clear instructions and tips that will help even novice cooks create gourmet vegan meals.

— Susan Voisin, publisher of FatFreeVegan.com

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 World Vegan Feast is destined to become a classic, with flavorful, inspired and satisfying meals from around the globe. It’s an extraordinary collection of delicious homestyle recipes, perfect for everyday meals to special occasions. This is the cookbook that you will reach for again and again! 

— Julie Hasson, author of Vegan Diner

VHP now offering retail sales

Vegan Heritage Press is now processing retail sales through its website.  All you need to do is go to the website and click on the Orders page, where you can place your order for books and our first non-book product.  The prices are discounted to help with shipping, and the financial transactions are managed through safe and secure PayPal. You can purchase our books whether or not you have a PayPal account.  We are also able to accept sales for shipment to Canada.  Many thanks to all the fans and supporters of Vegan Heritage Press books!

Where Can You Buy World Vegan Feast?

Vegan Heritage Press is happy to announce that Bryanna Clark Grogan’s new book, World Vegan Feast, is officially in print! It literally rolled off the presses this week.  So, where can you find it?

Since the ink was barely dry just one week ago, it’s little short of a miracle, owing to our alert marketing department, that the book was already available on Amazon.com this Friday.  The actual publication date is September, but there are already four places in the U.S. to buy the book: Amazon.com, Barnes&Noble.com, and books were just shipped to Vegan Essentials and Herbivore. (Both Vegan Essentials and Herbivore ship to Canada.)

Snail-paced distribution channels are why publishers put the pub date out ahead of availability.  As Amazon.ca and Amazon.co.uk’s slow wheels discover that the book is available on U.S. Amazon, they, too, will pick it up in the near future.  I anticipate this within the next two weeks.  For U.K. readers, the book will also be available via TheBookDepository.com in the next few weeks. The book is not yet available at Chapters-Indigo stores, but it is in the works.

Soon, you will also be able to buy books directly from the publisher.  But in the meantime, you can have your local bookstore order the book for you through our distributor: Baker & Taylor Books.  Baker & Taylor has it in their system and are happy to ship anytime. 

World Vegan Feast Arrives on Auspicious Day

Yesterday, we received delivery of our latest title, Bryanna Clark Grogan’s World Vegan Feast: 200  Fabulous Recipes from Over 50 Countries, and the book is gorgeous.  This is Bryanna’s first cookbook since 2002, and has been eagerly anticipated by her fans.

In World Vegan Feast, Bryanna shares her vast knowledge of international vegan cooking with over 200 stellar recipes inspired by cuisines around the world. Developed over many years of travel, study, and research, these global recipes include many exciting dishes that you won’t find anywhere else.

Two hours after the truck left, a cool wind brought a hard shower that only lasted a few minutes.  But in the eastern sky, it created this gorgeous double rainbow. 

 What an auspicious launch for this fine new title!  Speaking of launches, Bryanna will be participating on panel discussions at VidaVeganCon, the conference for vegan bloggers, August 26-28 in Portland, OR, where she’ll also officially launch this fantastic new book.  Congratulations Bryanna!

By the way, the first shipment of books left today for Amazon.com, so order your copy of World Vegan Feast now.