Monday, April 16, 2012

Book Review and Giveaway!
Chloe's Kitchen by Chloe Coscarelli



I don't have cable television, so I rarely get to watch the Food Network. But I couldn't help hearing about all the well-justified hubub that spread like wildfire through the vegan community in June 2010, when Chloe Coscarelli blew right past three other non-vegan bakers to take the championship title on the show, Cupcake Wars. I watched the video and just smiled when her exasperated semi-finalist competitor bemoaned, "I still can't believe vegan cupcakes won." I raised my own champagne glass to Chloe to celebrate both her victory and her enormous contribution to further debunking the myth that eating vegan means depriving oneself of all gastronomic pleasure.


That's when Chloe became one of my heroes. So when I was given the opportunity to review Chloe's Kitchen, I jumped at the opportunity! And I was delighted to discover within its pages, not only 125 delectable recipes for everything from simmering soups to toasted nuts, but also her award-winning recipe for Ginger Nutmeg Spice Cupcakes with Date Caramel Drizzle! I couldn't wait to make them. Here are mine. The frosting called for soy, rice, or almond milk, but you know I made mine with So Delicious Coconut milk! And yes, they certainly do taste award-winning!


But Chef Chloe's skills don't end at the oven door. Chloe's Kitchen contains a collection of tantalizing recipes for appetizers (Wontons with Apricot-Mustard Sauce, Black Bean Baby Cakes with Pineapple Salsa...), salads (California Chipotle Chop with Agave-Lime Vinaigrette, Mandarin-Peanut Crunch Salad with Crispy Wontons...), entrĂ©es (Moroccan Bistlla, Avocado Pesto Pasta...), and of course, desserts (Baked Sprinkle Doughnuts, Ooey Gooey Cinnamon Rolls, and yes! more cupcakes!). And with such exquisite photography, readers are sure to be inspired to dive right into ALL of the recipes. The only challenge will be trying to figure out which one to make first. Peanutty Perfection Noodles looked and sounded amazing to me, and being a sucker for eggplant and Brussels sprouts, I was literally drooling over the images of Miso-Glazed Eggplant and Maple-roasted Brussels Sprouts with Toasted Hazlenuts. But with a hankering for something a bit sassy and spicy, I decided to try Chloe's recipe for Mongolian BBQ Seitan. Made with a rich hoisin sauce with subtle hints of cinnamon, ginger, and cloves, it sounded like a perfect choice for dinner on a cold, rainy day. The luscious results did not disappoint our palates!


To please the humble tastes of my Midwestern-born husband, I next chose the recipe for Country Meatloaf and Golden Gravy. To make his childhood memory complete, I served it with mashed potatoes. (All that wonderful golden gravy would not go to waste!) I have to admit that I'm not a huge meatloaf fan, so I would have been happy as long as hubby was happy. But using tempeh and brown rice as a base to make meatloaf is uniquely delicious, and it held together beautifully when plated. Meatloaf lovers take note: I thoroughly enjoyed eating this dish cold for lunch the next day! I surprised myself, but I'm really looking forward to making this dish again soon. Time did not permit me to also make the Orange-scented Cranberry Sauce that accompanies this dish. But it looks divine, and I plan to make it next time.


I'll always try out at least one of the pasta or noodle dishes in a new cookbook. Chloe's Penne alla Vodka boasted a rich, creamy sauce,  and served along with her recipe for The Best Garlic Bread in the World, the meal made for a wonderful feast! Who knew that nutritional yeast could add such a delicious dimension to something as already wonderful as garlic bread?


Do you love garlic bread? (I do!) Inside Chloe's Kitchen you'll also find a delightful recipe for Garlic Knots. I haven't made them yet, but they look incredible. Here's the recipe, reprinted with the very kind permission of Free Press. Copyright ©2012 by Chloe Coscarelli. If you make them, please let me know what you think!


Ingredients:

Flour, for rolling
1 - 1 1/2 lbs pizza dough
4 - 5 cloves garlic, minced
1/2 cup olive oil, plus more for brushing
1/4 cup finely chopped fresh Italian parsley
1/4 tsp sea salt
1/4 tsp freshly ground black pepper

Directions:

Preheat the oven to 375°. Brush 2 large baking sheets with oil.

On a well-floured surface, roll out the pizza dough into two 12x10-inch rectangles. Working with one rectangle at a time, place the shorter side facing you and cut the dough in half lengthwise. Cus each half, crosswise, into about ten 1-inch-wide strips. Loosely tie each strip of dough into a knot, stretching carefully as needed. Place 20 knots, about 1 inch apart, on each prepared baking sheet and lightly brush the tops with oil. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes until golden brown on top. Let cool for a few minutes.

Combine garlic, oil, parsley, salt, and pepper in a large bowl. Add warm knots to the bowl and toss until each knot is coated. Remove knots from the oil and serve warm.

If you're hungering for a wonderful cookbook to add to your collection, I highly recommend Chloe's KitchenEvery recipe I've tried so far has exceeded my expectations, and once you enjoy some of Chloe's recipes, I'm sure you'll quickly become a fan, too!

Update: Congratulations Millie! You are the lucky winner of a copy of  Chloe's Kitchen! Although I would have loved to pick you, you can thank the handy-dandy Random Number Generator at random.org. Please send me an email with your postal address, so I can get the book into your hands and you can start enjoying it! Thanks so much to everyone for participating. And please stay tuned for the next delicious giveaway!


Would you like to win a copy of Chloe's Kitchen? Here's all you need to do: Leave a comment below telling me why you'd like to win this book. Do you already know and love Chloe? Did one of the recipes mentioned or pictured above whet your appetite? Do you love collecting vegan recipe books? Please share what prompted you to enter this giveaway!

To earn additional entries, you can do one or all of the following, and please leave a comment for each one you complete:

1. Like Chef Chloe Coscarelli on Facebook.
2. Follow @ChloeCoscarelli on Twitter.
3. Follow this blog by clicking the "follow" link in the upper left-hand corner of this page, subscribing via email, or through Networked Blogs.
4. Follow @Vegiegail on Twitter.
5. Tweet the following message: Win a copy of @ChloeCoscarelli's fabulous book, Chloe's Kitchen and make every meal a winner! http://bit.ly/IHcLIC #vegan #recipe #giveaway


Good luck!!!!!


*Sorry international friends. Giveaway is only open to readers with a valid US postal address.

140 comments:

Unknown said...

I haven't tried the garlic knots yet, but I have tried a few recipes from this book, including those cupcakes. Yum!

I already like her on Facebook. :-)

Unknown said...

And I already follow this blog. :-)

Junghwa said...

cupcake looks so yummy!

Junghwa said...

you're on my blogroll!

Anonymous said...

Why do I want to win this book? Why wouldn't I????? Everything looks and sounds incredible!

Anonymous said...

I follow this blog!

Anonymous said...

I like Chloe on Facebook!

Vegangal said...

Ooooooooh, yum!!!! I'd love to make all of these recipes! The cupcakes look to die for and the Mongolian BBQ looks so hearty and filling! Pick me!

Vegangal said...

I follow Hungry Vegan blog!

Anonymous said...

I'm all over that meatloaf and the garlic bread! The recipe for garlic knots looks a bit intimidating, but it sounds so good, I may have to try it! I would love to win this book. Award-winning cupcakes sound pretty enticing to me!

Anonymous said...

I LOVE this blog, and I not only follow it, I look forward to your posts!

Anonymous said...

I remember watching that season of Cupcake Wars and rooting for Chloe the whole time! I'd love to have a copy of her book!

Amy Groark said...

I've heard great things about Chloe and her recipes, both sweet and savory, and I'm a huge fan of vegan cookbooks of all kinds. I'd love to have the book!

Amy Groark said...

Followed Chloe on Twitter.

Amy Groark said...

Liked Chloe on FB.

Amy Groark said...

Followed Gail on Twitter.

Amy Groark said...

Tweeted about the giveaway.

Amy Groark said...

Following your blog.

Anonymous said...

I follow Chloe on Twitter!

Anonymous said...

I've heard this is supposed to be a good cookbook! I would love to try her garlic knots, yum.

Anonymous said...

I'm following Chloe on twitter.

Anonymous said...

I'm now following you on twitter too. :)

Suburban Snow White said...

Hello! I liked Chloe on FB AND would love to win this book because I love that feeling of wowing my doubting friends and family with more fantastic recipes! :)

Amy said...

I would like to win this book because vegan cookbooks always teach me something new about how I fuel my life.

Amy said...

I subscribed to this blog.

Amy said...

I'm following @ChloeCoscarelli (via my RSS feed).

Amy said...

I'm also following @Vegiegail (via my RSS feed)

Anonymous said...

I'd love to win this book! The recipes look great.

Anonymous said...

Like Chef Chloe on Facebook!

Anonymous said...

Following Chef Chloe on Twitter.

Anonymous said...

Following you on Twitter!

Anonymous said...

Tweeted!

Anonymous said...

Now following your blog!

Catie said...

I am a vegan always looking for new recipes to try and her food looks so good!

Catie said...

I am following her on facebook

Catie said...

I follow her on twitter

Catie said...

I follow you on twitter

Catie said...

I am following your blog

Cadry said...

I've heard so much about Chloe since her big cupcake win, it would be great to try out some of her recipes in my own kitchen. Everything you made looks very tempting!

Cadry said...

I'm following Chloe on Twitter.

Cadry said...

I follow you on Twitter.

Unknown said...

I'd soo like to win this book! I live with only meat-eating people with no vegans in sight. I need to prove that, as Chloe says, vegan food doesn't taste like cardboard!!
I've also liked Chloe on Facebook and I follow this blog by email! *fingers crossed*

Julee said...

Following Chef Chloe on Facebook.

Julee said...

Would love to win this book...Everything in it looks Awesome! I want to make those cupcakes and garlic bread!

Marisa said...

I entered this giveaway because I love vegan cookbooks (especially ones with desserts!) :)

Marisa said...

I already "like" Chef Chloe Coscarelli on Facebook.

Marisa said...

I follow @ChloeCoscarelli on Twitter.

Marisa said...

I'm subscribed to your blog via email.

Marisa said...

I follow @Vegiegail on Twitter.

Marisa said...

I tweeted the message: https://twitter.com/#!/n4ilpolishlov3r/status/192191002084245504

singerinkitchen said...

I have followed Chloe's blog and site for a while and so when I saw she was coming out with a cookbook I was excited. Your recipes definitely have whetted my appetite! YUM!

singerinkitchen said...

I tweeted https://twitter.com/#!/singerinkitchen/status/192220276673609728

singerinkitchen said...

@singerinkitchen follows @vegiegail on Twitter

singerinkitchen said...

I follow Chloe on Facebook.

singerinkitchen said...

I follow @ChloeCoscarelli on Twitter as well!

singerinkitchen said...

I follow your blog by email!

LaJuana said...

I just saw this cookbook on Amazon last night but even though I have cable I didn't recognize her or it. I stopped watching Food Network when I started eating a plant based diet last year! If I don't win here, for sure I'll be buying a copy! Thanks for sharing!

LaJuana said...

I "liked" Chloe Coscarelli on FaceBook.

LaJuana said...

I follow Chloe on Twitter.

LaJuana said...

I was already following you on Twitter. :)

LaJuana said...

I already follow your blog...but I am going to follow you on Pinterst. :)

Anonymous said...

I'd like to win because these recipes look AMAZING!! I have never seen any of Chloe's recipes before but now that I have I definitely can't wait to get my hands on her book!

Anonymous said...

I Like Chef Chloe on Facebook!

Anonymous said...

I follow Chloe on Twitter! @jesscaneal

Anonymous said...

I follow this blog on Google Reader!

Jill B. said...

I like Chef Chloe on Facebook

Anonymous said...

I follow you on Twitter! @jesscaneal

Anonymous said...

I tweeted about the giveaway :-) @jesscaneal

Jill B. said...

I follow Chef Chloe on Twitter

Jill B. said...

I already follow this blog

Jill B. said...

I already follow @Vegiegail on Twitter

Jill B. said...

I would love to win this cookbook to try more delicious recipes. I come from a family who doesn't understand my eating choices, so I'm always looking for great recipes to possibly win them over with

Jill B. said...

I tweeted the message (@jillybean0425)

Jacqueline said...

I love cookbooks. Now that I'm vegan, I collect vegan ones and marvel at the artistry and craftsmanship of preparing a vegan meal while comparing the recipes to things I may or may not have made.

Abby Bean said...

Oh my goodness: garlic knots!? I'm still drooling over her chocolate cupcakes from Cupcake Wars.

Kathie said...

Would l0oveto try the meatloaf..it looks divine

Kathie said...

Liked on FB

Kathie said...

Subscribed to this blog

Kathie said...

Following Chloe on Twitter

Michelle said...

I am fairly new to the vegan lifestyle and am trying to add to my cookbook library. I love cookbooks and I am always looking for a new one.

Melissa C. said...

I want to find more awesomoe vegan recipes to try

Eva eidwriter said...

I would love to win this cookbook because I saw Chloe and cupcake wars and thought those cupcakes looked so good. I can't wait to see her other recipes. Thanks fo the chance to win

Eva eidwriter@aaol.com said...

I subscribe to your blog e-mails

MarkTwain said...

I've been wanting to try her stuff! :)

MarkTwain said...

I've been wanting to try her stuff!

PensiveFashionista said...

I would love to win this book because I am interested in incorporating vegan meals into my life. I have checked this book out from the local library twice and I don't really have the money to purchase it.

I'm now following your blog.

PensiveFashionista said...

I'm following you on Twitter under the username HeadyHeathen.

Julee said...

I already follow this blog!

Jenni (aka Vegyogini) said...

I love vegan cookbooks and I think Chef Chloe is a great ambassador for veganism! She's been doing a great job representing veganism in mainstream media and, for that, I'm grateful. Thanks for the giveaway!

Jenni (aka Vegyogini) said...

I already follow Chef Chloe on Facebook.

Jenni (aka Vegyogini) said...

I also follow Chef Chloe on Twitter.

Allie said...

I would love to win her cookbook because all her recipes look great and I love cooking vegan food!

Allie said...

I like chefchloe on facebook!

Ashley said...

I have been eyeing this book on amazon since it was released...I would LOVE to win!! Thanks so much for the chance!

Ashley said...

I like Chloe on FB

Ashley said...

I follow Chloe on twitter

Ashley said...

I subscribe!

Ashley said...

I follow you on twitter

Ashley said...

I tweeted :)

Lizzie Bordello said...

Following Chloe on Twitter. :)

Lizzie Bordello said...

I subscribe to your blog already!

Lizzie Bordello said...

Also following you on Twitter.

Lizzie Bordello said...

Just tweeted the giveaway.

Lizzie Bordello said...

I'm a little bit obsessed with vegan cookbooks, and kind of collect them. I finally decided I needed to do a better job of cooking out of all of them, so I started a thing where every couple of months I choose one cookbook, write down a whole bunch of the recipes I want to try from it, and cook almost exclusively from it for a month. :)

Bethany S. said...

My two sons have life-threatening food allergies, so I have to bake vegan for them.
I watched that episode too, and am SO glad Chloe won. See-- you don't need eggs and dairy! :)

Bethany S. said...

I "like" Chloe on Facebook.

Bethany S. said...

I subscribe to your blog via e-mail.

Millie said...

love the food here...you are on my blogroll, I am a facbook follower and I love your food Gail. Count me in...choose ME!!!!!!

scarriemom said...

I would love this cookbook just to try that meatloaf recipe. Looks yummy!

scarriemom said...

I liked Chef Chloe Coscarelli on Facebook.

scarriemom said...

I follow @ChloeCoscarelli on Twitter.

scarriemom said...

I follow your blog via email.

scarriemom said...

I follow @Vegiegail on Twitter.

scarriemom said...

I tweeted the message.

Anonymous said...

I'm entering because I need to master the art of vegan cooking and am collecting cookbooks!

Anonymous said...

Followed Chloe on Twitter

Anonymous said...

Followed you on Twitter

Anonymous said...

Liked Chloe on Facebook

VeganMarr said...

Liked Chloe on FB

VeganMarr said...

Already follow Hungry Vegan on Twitter

VeganMarr said...

Now following Chloe on Twitter

VeganMarr said...

Re-tweeted Hungry Vegan post about this review

VeganMarr said...

It all looks yummy but in particular, those cupcakes caught my eye!! That sauce drizzled on top looks interesting...pass a couple thru the computer, please! Yum!!

VeganMarr said...

Am already subscribed to the mouth-watering Hungry Vegan blog via email! :-)

Deanna M said...

I looked at a copy of the cookbook at my local library and the recipes looked delicious! I literally wanted to try every recipe. I would love to add this cookbook to my collection.

Carrie at In the Hammock Blog said...

i love vegan and vegetarian cookbooks so i'd love to read this. thank you!

inthehammockblog at gmail dot com

Deanna M said...

Followed on Facebook and Twitter. Also tweeted @adorato1

whirlofwings said...

I want to win this book because I'm a vegan who wants to discover some more delicious and satisfying recipes!

moonsword said...

I admire Chloe's commitment to compassionate living, and her enthusiasm in teaching others about it, and definitely her talents in the kitchen!

Unknown said...

I would really like to win this cookbook. I made the switch to eating vegan fairly recently and would LOVE to get my hands on a cookbook that sounds as amazing as this one!

Unknown said...

I "liked" Chef Chloe Coscarelli on Facebook!

Unknown said...

I followed @ChloeCoscarelli on Twitter!

Unknown said...

I subscribed to the blog via E-mail.

Unknown said...

I followed @Vegiegail on Twitter.

Lillith P. said...

Thanks a bunch for the review. I can't wait to try this book out. It looks like the recipes come out perfect!

VeganMarr said...

Wow, lots of great recipes! Ginger cupcakes, donuts, cinnamon rolls, "meat"loaf, garlic bread! How did Chloe stay so slim creating this book?! ;-)

VeganMarr said...

I already follow this blog.

VeganMarr said...

I "liked" Chloe on FB.

VeganMarr said...

I already follow u on Twitter.

Zenimue said...

Ever since I made her beach cookies I've been a Chloe fan =)