Thursday, September 06, 2012

Meet Robin Robertson, Vegan Chef and Author of Fresh from the Vegan Slow Cooker Plus A Sneak-Peek Recipe and A Chance to Win!

I am a huge fan of vegan chef Robin Robertson. With 19 books under her belt and her latest work Fresh from the Vegan Slow Cooker soon to be released (on September 25th), Robin is quite likely the most prolific vegan author out there. I own no fewer than six of her books—Vegan on the Cheap, Quick-fix Vegan, and Vegan Unplugged (cowritten with husband, Jon Robertson), are among my most dog-eared and page-worn favorites.

So it is with the greatest honor, that I am among the first to kick off Robin's virtual book tour, with a guest post and sneak-peek recipe from her forthcoming new book, Fresh from the Vegan Slow Cooker: 200 Ultra-Convenient, Super-Tasty, Completely Animal-Free One-Dish Dinners.


Robin: Everyone knows how great a slow cooker can be for cooking beans, soups, and stews. But did you know it can also be used to make jams, chutneys, and applesauce? How about breads, cakes, and casseroles? It’s true. Once you begin thinking outside the crock, you may find that a slow cooker can do a lot more than just cook great beans.

Take this recipe for Seitan Ropa Vieja. There are many variations of this flavorful Latin American dish. This vegan version, made with a combination of seitan, black beans, and mushrooms is my favorite. Served over rice, it makes a delicious dinner when accompanied by a green vegetable. It's also terrific spooned into warm tortillas and topped with diced avocado or vegan sour cream. This recipe is easily doubled for a crowd, and you can cook and serve in the same crock, then set it on the table to keep warm while everyone serves themselves.
Seitan Ropa Vieja

Photo ©2012 by Sabra Krock

Serves 4
Slow Cooker Size: 4- to 6-quart
Cook Time: 4 to 6 hours on Low
{soy-free}

2 teaspoons olive oil (optional)
1 small yellow onion, sliced paper-thin
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 green bell pepper, seeded and sliced paper-thin
1/3 cup tomato paste
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1 cup crushed tomatoes
1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
1/2 teaspoon natural sugar
1 pound seitan, shredded or very thinly sliced
2 portobello mushrooms caps, gills scraped and discarded, shredded or thinly sliced
1 1/2 cups cooked black beans or one 15-ounce can, rinsed and drained
1 cup vegetable broth
1 tablespoon chopped fresh cilantro
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
1 tablespoon fresh lime juice
Flour tortillas or hot cooked rice, for serving

1. For the best flavor, heat the oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the onion and sauté until softened, about 5 minutes.  Add the garlic, and bell pepper and sauté for 1 minute. Stir in the tomato paste and cumin and cook for 1 minute longer. Alternatively, omit the oil and sauté these ingredients in a few tablespoons of water or combine them in a microwave-safe bowl with a little water, cover, and microwave for 2 minutes.
2. Transfer the mixture to the slow cooker. Add the crushed tomatoes, oregano, sugar, seitan, mushrooms, beans, broth, cilantro, and salt and pepper to taste. Stir until well combined. Cover and cook on Low until the vegetables are tender, 4 to 6 hours.
3. Just before serving, add the lime juice, then taste and adjust the seasonings, if needed. Serve hot, spooned into tortillas or over rice.

Recipe ©2012 by Robin Robertson and used with the permission of The Harvard Common Press

Update: Congratulations Rachel at My Naturally Frugal Family! You won! Please shoot me an email with your postal address, and your copy of Fresh from the Vegan Slow Cooker will soon be on its way! I just received my own copy, and I can tell you that you're going to LOVE this book!  Thanks everyone for making this another great giveaway! More yumminess to come ...

I cannot wait to get my hands on a copy of Fresh from the Vegan Slow Cooker! To reserve your very own copy, head on over to amazon.com, or enter to win one right here and now! Simply leave me a comment below telling me why you love your slow cooker.*

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

1. Follow Robin Robertson on Pinterest.
2. Follow @GlobalVegan 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 @GlobalVegan's new book Fresh from the Vegan Slow Cooker & fall in love w/your crockpot! http://bit.ly/VSCWin #vegan #giveaway

Please make sure I have a way to contact you if you're the lucky winner, (leave me your Twitter handle or email address or make sure it's linked to your blogger account.) Good luck!!!

*Sorry international friends. The giveaway is open to US residents only.

128 comments:

hollyfrench said...

Followed Robin on Pinterest!

hollyfrench said...

aaaaand followed your blog.

Unknown said...

Love, love the slow-cooker for the convenience of setting it in the morning, and coming home to a delicious dinner! =)

Unknown said...

also following the blog! =) thank you!

T.M. said...

Subscribed to your blog.

T.M. said...

Following you on Twitter :)

T.M. said...

Already following Robin on Pinterest.

T.M. said...

And follow @globalvegan on Twitter.

T.M. said...

Finally, I retweeted the message. Thanks for the chance!

T.M. said...

I love my slow cooker(s) because I can make delicious vegan meals (who knew!) with a minimum of fuss. Right now I have black bean, kale and rice soup from "Vegan on the Cheap" in the cooker and it smells beyond fabulous!!

AudreyQ said...

I love my slow cooker because I can start dinner in the morning when I have more time, and I can spend more quality time with my 7 yr old when he gets home from school, I'm free from the kitchen.

dena @ohyoucook said...

I love my slow cooker because with only 10 minutes of prep in the morning I can come home to dinner waiting for me.

Rachel said...

I have loved my slower cooker for years because it meant that very little work would have to go into a nutritious and warm meal (ready amazingly when I returned home from work).

Rachel said...

I follow Robin on Pinterest

Rachel said...

I already follow @globalvegan on twitter (@rachelkyle0402)

Rachel said...

I follow @vegiegail on twitter (@rachelkyle0402)

Rachel said...

I tweeted it: https://twitter.com/rachelkyle0402/status/243749568288788480

Rachel said...

I am following your blog.

Pat H. said...

Followed Robin on Pinterest!

Anonymous said...

I most enjoy having dinner ready when I get home from work. I would love to win a copy of this book. Thank you for sharing the recipe. It looks delectable!

Anonymous said...

I follow this blog.

Pat H. said...

Followed Robin on Twitter!

Pat H. said...

Followed your blog!

Pat H. said...

Followed you on Twitter!

Pat H. said...

Tweeted your message!

Pat H. said...

Love my slow cooker because we always work late and it's great to have dinner waiting for us when we get home!

Unknown said...

I always want to use my slowcooker more but i never know how! that's perfect!

Unknown said...

Following you on twitter!

Unknown said...

and @GlobalVegan on twitter

Unknown said...

and Robin Robertson on Pinterest :)

Lauren said...

It makes weeknight cooking so much simpler!

Lauren said...

I follow Robin on twitter.

Lauren said...

I follow you on Twitter.

Lauren said...

I tweeted about the giveaway:

https://twitter.com/EverydayRevelry/status/243758541138186240

Kate Montana said...

I haven't used my slow cooker since I went vegan - which is why this book sounds awesome!

Marie said...

There's nothing like coming home to a house filled with the aroma of dinner already made and waiting to be eaten!

Cassandra said...

Mmmmmmm... That recipe sounds really good. It's making me hungry!

My favorite thing to make in my crockpot is apple butter. I haven't made any in awhile but we really enjoyed it!

nicklovin said...

I love my slow cooker because there are so many meals that just require a cutting board, knife, slow cooker and a little patience and I'll have a wonderful meal!

nicklovin said...

Following @GlobalVegan on Twitter!

Suburban Snow White said...

Thanks for hosting this giveaway!

I love my slow cooker because, as an elementary teacher, I'm usually exhausted at the end of each day. Coming home to food that is cooked and a wonderful smelling house is a huge treat!

Everytime I use my slow cooker I think,"Why don't I do this every night?"

nicklovin said...

Following @Vegiegail on Twitter!

nicklovin said...

Tweeted the giveaway (@plantbasedpunk).

moonsword said...

I love it for overnight oatmeal, especially cinnamon blueberry...yummm!

Michaela said...

My slow cooker makes me smile because it makes cooking vegan dinners hassle-free. It's a one stop pot (usually full of veggies and beans)!

Michaela said...

I follow @GlobalVegan on Twitter (@wholify)

EMC said...

I love my slow cooker for the convenience of having a meal ready at the end of a long day... But I *really* grew to love it this summer when I was trying to reduce our AC costs and avoid heating up the kitchen while still making yummy food.

fuzzywater (at) yahoo (dot) com

EMC said...

Oh, I also follow your blog, but I use Google Reader... Does that count?

fuzzywater (at) yahoo (dot) com

littledebisnack said...

Did everything I was supposed to do to win, even though I have to say I probably would have anyways.
But the reason I can't live without my slow cooker right now is I have launched my new homemade toys and gifts home business three months ago and it is so time consuming I don't have time to slave over the stove and make a great meal cause I'm so busy! And your recipes mixed with a slow cooker would make me feel like I am not neglecting the family meals! Thank you!
Creativemoments3@charter.net

Lauren (PB&G) said...

That looks so delicious! Why do I love my slow cooker? Three words: steel cut oats! =)

bradinthe541 said...

I love my slow cooker for the versatility of it. I can cook almost anything effortless and still have an amazing vegan dish in hours. It's pretty much the coolest thing ever.
sleephla@gmail.com

Michelle said...

I followed Robin on pinterest.

Stephanie said...

I love getting food in my slow cooker in the morning so a hot and healthy meal is ready in the evenings, even when I have meetings!

Stephanie said...

Following @Vegiegail via @GaneshaXi

Stephanie said...

Tweeted: http://twitter.com/GaneshaXi/status/244104988580773888

Stephanie said...

Following @GlobalVegan via @GaneshaXi

Stephanie said...

Following on Pinterest via Ganesha Xi.

Anonymous said...

I love my slow cooker simply because it is so simple. Added bonus, it makes my home smell lovely!

Aubrey Tate said...

I forgot to add, because I don't use that blogger account, you can contact me at aubreymae84@gmail.com or on my blog, Cognizant Dreamer. :~)

Aubrey Tate said...

Also, I don't know if we need to post that we did those things but, just in case, I followed your Pinterest board, followed Global Vegan and Vegiegail on twitter, subscribed to the blog and tweeted the message. Thank you for the opportunity!

Terri said...

I have 2 slow cookers, a big one for soups, stews and such and a small one that is great for making breakfast oats. I love the convenience of being able to start breakfast the night before!

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

Terri said...

I follow Robin on Pinterest. (love her "Vegan Planet"!)

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

Terri said...

I subscribe to the blog.

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

Eva eidwriter@aol.com said...

I love my slow cooker because I can make great food fast. I just set the slow cooker and forget it

Eva eidwriter@aol.com said...

I subscribe to your blog via e-mail

Kerry said...

I love being able to have dinner ready when I get home from work.

The Vegan said...

The Seitan Ropa Vieja makes for beautiful and delicious cover to her book.

I Follow your blog
and
I follow you on Twitter

GrahamForeverInMyHeart said...

I love coming home from work to a house that smells delicious.

MarkTwain said...

I tweeted! https://twitter.com/martielou/status/244178772679614464

MarkTwain said...

1. I Follow Robin Robertson on Pinterest.

MarkTwain said...

Follow @GlobalVegan on Twitter.

MarkTwain said...

I follow your blog!

MarkTwain said...

Follow @Vegiegail on Twitter.

MarkTwain said...

I love my slowcooker for beans! I also love it for parties- keeps dip warm! :)

Allison said...

Love coming home to dinner already ready.

Karyn said...

followed robin on pinterest.

Karyn said...

Followe you on Pinterest.

Karyn said...

already Subscribed by email to your blog.

Karyn said...

oops...klharding at cableone dot net

Healthy Organic & Cheap said...

I love my slow cooker because you put in the ingredients in it and forget it until dinner time.

Healthy Organic & Cheap said...

I follow Robin Robertson on Pinterest.

Healthy Organic & Cheap said...

I subscribe to this blog via email.

Healthy Organic & Cheap said...

I tweeted. https://twitter.com/Organicandcheap/status/244248396821565441

Lizzie Bordello said...

I love my slow cooker for one very simple reason - I am really really lazy, and it sure makes that easier. :)

Lizzie Bordello said...

I already follow @GlobalVegan on Twitter.

Lizzie Bordello said...

I follow Hungry Vegan in my Google Reader.

Lizzie Bordello said...

I also already follow you on Twitter, Gail. :)

Lizzie Bordello said...

Just tweeted the giveaway!

https://twitter.com/wickedliz/status/244470876182020096

Sharon Lee Hart said...

I love my slow cooker because it provides me with a hot meal after a long, busy day. Pre-slow cooker I settled for a cold sandwich. I also love waking up to slow cooker pumpkin oatmeal in the fall. The smell fills the house and definitely motivates me to get out of bed!

Anonymous said...

I don't own a slow cooker yet, so I use my mother's... So I love her slow cooker because I can just put some yummies in it and set it and go! When I come back dinner or lunch is done!

Anonymous said...

Follow Robin Robertson on Pinterest!

Anonymous said...

Following Global Vegan on Twitter!2

Anonymous said...

Following Vegie Gal on Twitter, too!

Anonymous said...

Tweeted...

https://twitter.com/billiejeanie327/status/244536329243860992

Anonymous said...

Following the blog via email!

Anonymous said...

I love my slow cooker because it cooks dinner while I am at work of course!

jcanilly@msn.com

Anonymous said...

I follow @GlobalVegan on Twitter!

@jesscaneal

Anonymous said...

I follow the blog using Google Reader.

Anonymous said...

I follow Veggiegail on Twitter!

@jesscaneal

Anonymous said...

I tweeted about the giveaway!

@jesscaneal

Amy said...

I love using my slow cooker to have breakfast ready when I wake up during the cooler months!

Amy said...

I'm following @GlobalVegan on Twitter via my RSS feed

Amy said...

I'm following @Vegiegail on Twitter via my RSS feed

Amy said...

I follow the blog via my RSS feed

Paula said...

I love my slow cooker because there's nothing better than coming home from work to a hot meal!

Paula said...

I already follow @globalvegan on twitter (I'm msmollygirl).

Paula said...

I tweeted about this giveaway (I'm msmollygirl).

Raquel said...

did ALL of the above. I would love to win Robin's book :-) My twitter is SunnySides_UP

valeri.caskey@att.net said...

I love my slow cooker, because it makes it soooo easy for someone soooo busy (and who isn't these days?)to make healthful meals for themselves and their families! (valeri.caskey@att.net)

valeri.caskey@att.net said...

and subscribed to your blog...(valeri.caskey@att.net)

Bridget said...

I haven't used my slow cooker yet but I want to; I think this Seitan Ropa Vieja is all the motivation I need; getting it out today!

Crystal said...

Using a slow cooker is so fast and easy! What's not to love??

Crystal said...

I followed Robin on pinterest!

KelliD said...

because slow cooking makes my favorite chili (black bean chili) taste so amazing

Unknown said...

Following Robin on Pinterest!

Unknown said...

I just followed the both of you on Pinterest!!! Thanks!!!!

Anonymous said...

I love my slow cooker because I can soak and cook my dry beans, all at once! :D

Willow said...

Oops... try 2

I love that my slow cooker makes my apartment smell fabulous! And that I even get several delicious meals out of it too!

Megan said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Megan said...

Followed Robin on Pinterest!

meg6784 at gmail dot com

Megan said...

Followed @GlobalVegan on Twitter

meg6784 at gmail dot com

Megan said...

Follow @Vegiegail on Twitter

meg6784 at gmail dot com

MonsterAteMy said...

I love that my slow cooker can make dinner while I'm running around elsewhere.

MonsterAteMy said...

I follow RR on Pinterest.

MonsterAteMy said...

I subscribe to this blog.

heartoftexas said...

I love being able to toss stuff in my slow cooker while I make my morning smoothie, go to work, and then dinner is ready when I come home. Plus I get excited about what's for dinner without the hassle of coming home and cooking it!

supercarrot said...

i love the complex flavors that come from slow cooking a meal. (also, my husband has odd hours, so it makes it easy to have a hot meal ready whenever he gets home, whether it's 7:00 or 9:00

supercarrot said...

i subscribe to your blog via e-mail (using a slightly different e-mail address specifically for subscribing to recipe blogs.)

Unknown said...

I love the slow-cooker because I don't have propane, and my stove requires propane, so the only way to eat healthy is to use the crock pot! (Or the toaster oven)
I would make great, daily use of this book!! :)
maria - qazjunkie@yahoo.com