Friday, March 01, 2013

Nut Butter Universe
Review and Giveaway


I am honored and proud to welcome back one of my very favorite vegan cookbook authors, Robin Robertson, with a guest post about her brand new book, Nut Butter Universe. Her latest contribution to making the world a more deliciously compassionate place contains a collection of tantalizing recipes.


I couldn't wait to dig into this book, and headed right for the luscious-looking recipe for Penne Primavera with Avocado Cashew Cream. It was, in a word, divine.


Every recipe in this book sounds incredibly enticing—from Walnut Butter Banana Bread to Peach Almond Butter Quesadillas, your mouth will water just from reading the Table of Contents. So without further ado, here's Robin:

Beyond the PB&J

Not long ago, the only nut butter sandwich around was the traditional PB&J made with peanut butter, grape jelly, and white bread. Did you know that before the age of 18, the average American child consumes 1,500 peanut butter and jelly sandwiches?

But why settle for tradition, when you can put your own spin on the classic sandwich. These days, you can choose from over a dozen kinds of nut butters, paired with an orchard full of jams, jellies, preserves, and marmalades, and served on a wide variety of whole-grain breads. You can also get even more creative by adding another flavor layer to your sandwich filling by sprinkling your spreads with anything from dried or fresh fruits, to crushed nuts or chocolate, or even shredded carrots or cooked vegan bacon. Even Elvis got creative with his now-famous grilled peanut butter and banana sandwich (which he reportedly ate with a knife and fork.) 

Variations on a PB&J are, in fact, infinitely versatile when you consider that by combining a different variety of nut butter for the peanut butter, and a different flavor of jam, jelly, or preserves, combined with different “add-ons” as well as types of bread, you could potentially enjoy more than 32,130 different variations of America’s favorite sandwich.

The sandwich recipes in my new book, Nut Butter Universe, include:

·      My Favorite PB&J
·      Grilled Peanut Butter and Banana Sandwich
·      Flower Power Almond Butter Sandwich
·      Walnut Butter Waldorf Wraps
·      Open-Face Peanut Butter and Tomato Broil
·      Chocolate-Hazelnut Paninis
·      Roasted Eggplant Pita with Garlicky Lemon-Almond Sauce
·      Peach-Almond Butter Quesadillas

And one of my personal favorites, these Thai Tofu-Vegetable Wraps...
  
Photo by Lori Maffei

Thai Tofu-Vegetable Wraps

Filled with baked tofu strips, crisp fresh vegetables, and a creamy, zesty sauce, these wraps make a yummy lunch or a light supper. You can add more vegetables, if you like. For an even quicker version, you can use a package of ready-made baked marinated tofu, although making it yourself is more economical. In place of tofu, you can substitute seitan or soy curls. To make them gluten-free, use gluten-free flatbreads.

Ingredients:
8 ounces extra-firm tofu, cut into strips
2 tablespoons wheat-free tamari, divided
Salt and ground black pepper
3 tablespoons cashew butter
1 tablespoon fresh lime juice
1/2 to 1 teaspoon natural sugar
1 teaspoon chili paste, or more to taste
1 cup shredded lettuce
1/2 cup shredded carrot
1/4 cup chopped red bell pepper
1/4 cup bean sprouts (optional)
2 tablespoons finely minced red onion or scallion
2 lavash flatbreads or large flour tortillas

Directions:
1. Preheat the oven to 375°F. Lightly oil a baking sheet or spray it with cooking spray. Arrange the tofu strips on the pan, drizzle them with 1 tablespoon of the soy sauce, and season with salt and pepper to taste. Bake until lightly browned, turning once about half- way through, about 20 minutes total. Remove from the oven and set aside to cool.
2. In a small bowl, combine the cashew butter, tamari, lime juice, sugar, and chili paste. Blend well.
3. In a medium bowl, combine the lettuce, carrot, bell pepper, bean sprouts, if using, and onion. Toss to combine.
4. Spread the cashew mixture onto each flatbread, dividing evenly. Top with the vegetable mixture, spreading on the lower third of each wrap. Top the vegetables on each flatbread with strips of the reserved tofu.
5. Roll up the sandwiches and use a serrated knife to cut them in half. Serve at once.
Serves 2

From Nut Butter Universe, by Robin Robertson. Copyright ©2013 Robin Robertson. Reprinted with the kind permission of the publisher, Vegan Heritage Press.

Update: Congratulations Billie Jean! You're the lucky winner! Please send me an email with your postal address, so I can send your book to you! Thank you everyone for participating! Stay tuned for more delicious fun to come! Giveaway: Almond butter, cashew butter, or good 'ol peanut butter? Simply leave a comment below telling me your favorite nut butter for a chance to win your very own copy of Nut Butter Universe.*

And to earn additional entries, you may 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 Nut Butter Universe: Easy #Vegan Recipes w/Out of This World Flavors! http://bit.ly/NutButU #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.

122 comments:

Kendy P said...

peanut - it is a classic comfort food! :)

Kendy P said...

following rr on pinterest!

Terri said...

I love cashew butter!

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

Terri said...

I follow Robin Robertson on Pinterest.

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

Terri said...

I'm an email subscriber.

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

Carolyn said...

My favorite is good ol' fashioned crunchy peanut butter, but I'd love to try the "Thai Tofu-Vegetable Wraps" with cashew butter!

Richa said...

i like the sound of this book!:) i follow all of you all almost everywhere:)

Carolyn said...

I follow @Vegiegail on Twitter.

Carolyn said...

I follow @GlobalVegan on Twitter. I am "@CarolynV5"

Carolyn said...

I tweeted the message about the giveaway.

Audrey said...

I think peanut butter, chocolate hazelnut butter, and gourmet almond butters (not the plain ones; I'm talking maca almond or maple almond or something like that) are my favorites.

Audrey said...

I follow this blog via Google Reader

Audrey said...

I follow RR on Pinterest

Audrey said...

I follow RR on Twitter

Audrey said...

I follow VegieGail on TWitter

♥erin said...

Almond butter all the way! :)

Christy Reed said...

peanut butter

Christy Reed said...

i follow @globalvegan on twitter (my username is @sunobie)

Christy Reed said...

i follow @vegiegail on twitter (my username is @sunobie)

Christy Reed said...

I tweeted (@sunobie)

Christy Reed said...

I subscribed

Christy Reed said...

I follow you on pinterest

Michaela said...

My favorite nut butter is pistachio butter (preferably homemade, and where can you find it in stores anyways?!)

Anonymous said...

Pecan butter is my favorite

Unknown said...

Peanut butter!! Love to eat apple with it.

eat216 at gmail dot com

Veronica said...

i absolutely loooove all nut butters! maybe almond is my favorite though :)

Veronica said...

i follow you on pinterest!

bwp1984 said...

Almond butter all the way

Becky said...

Peanut butter- versatility!

Gaby said...

oh gosh, so difficult. It really depends on the use, but I think sunflower seed butter and almond top the list.

Anonymous said...

chocolate peanut butter, preferably in the fun new powdered form :-)

Anonymous said...

I follow Robin on Pinterest.

Anonymous said...

I follow @GlobalVegan on Twitter.

Anonymous said...

I follow @VegieGail on Twitter.

Anonymous said...

I tweeted about the giveaway.

Anonymous said...

I follow via Google Reader.

Sam @To Travel Hopefully said...

Peanut butter will always be my favorite! Although I can't say I'm sure I've ever tasted cashew butter. Hopefully soon! :)

Jenni (aka Vegyogini) said...

Thanks for the giveaway! My favorite is fresh, raw cashew butter.

MarkTwain said...



I Follow Robin Robertson on Pinterest.
@martielou

MarkTwain said...

I Follow @GlobalVegan on Twitter. @martielou

MarkTwain said...

I Follow this blog @martielou

MarkTwain said...

I Follow @Vegiegail on Twitter @martielou

MarkTwain said...

I tweeted! @martielou

Cat said...

walnut cashew butter with cinnamon and vanilla

Cat said...

I'm an email subscriber

Cat said...

Following Robin Robertson on Pinterest

Cat said...

Following @VegieGail on Twitter

Flora @ TNSK said...

subscribed to newsletter!

Flora @ TNSK said...

Favorite is cashew!

Kim Y said...

Almond butter! :)

Kim Y said...

Email subscriber ~

Kim Y said...

Following follow @globalvegan on twitter

Kim Y said...

Following @VegieGail on Twitter


Kim Y said...

Following Robin on Pinterest!

Kim Y said...

Tweeted Win a copy of @GlobalVegan's new book Nut Butter Universe: Easy #Vegan Recipes w/Out of This World Flavors! http://bit.ly/NutButU #giveaway!

Ashley said...

My fave is definitely almond butter! Thanks so much for the giveaway!

Ashley said...

I follow her on Pinterest

Ashley said...

I also follow her on twitter

Ashley said...

I tweeted!

Carol Schmoker said...

Good ole peanut butter is still my favorite.

schmokercarol@gmail.com

Karen's Vegan Kitchen said...

I follow Robin on Pinterest!

Karen's Vegan Kitchen said...

I follow @GlobalVegan on twitter.

Karen's Vegan Kitchen said...

I follow HungryVegan.blogspot

Karen's Vegan Kitchen said...

I follow @VegieGail on Twitter

Karen's Vegan Kitchen said...

Last but not least, I tweet the message to win the book on my twitter page @FoodorBooze
https://twitter.com/FoodOrBooze/status/307942554966560769

The Vegan said...

Almond Butter.

Now I need to go and make something to eat. I am ALWAYS hungry after reading your blog posts.

Martha J said...

I love all of Robin's books! Would love to win a copy of this new one. Thanks for the contest! I follow Robin's tweet account. My tweeter name is mnatural22.

Martha J said...

Forgot to mention that I LOVE almond butter the best.

Healthy Organic & Cheap said...

Love them all, but peanut butter is the daily go to.

Healthy Organic & Cheap said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Healthy Organic & Cheap said...

I follow Robin Robertson on Pinterest.

Healthy Organic & Cheap said...

I am an email subscriber to your blog.

Healthy Organic & Cheap said...

https://twitter.com/Organicandcheap/status/307982384463241216

Tweeted the message.

Anonymous said...

Almond for me!

Anonymous said...

Following Robin Robertson on Pinterest!

Anonymous said...

Following GlobalVegan on Twitter! @billiejeanie327

Anonymous said...

Following Vegiegail on Twitter, too!

Anonymous said...

Tweeted! https://twitter.com/billiejeanie327/status/307993772841660416

Amy said...

I just discovered I.M. Healthy's Chocolate Soynut Butter this past week, and it has won over my heart~~

Amy said...

I think my favorite nut butter would be honey roasted cashew

Amy said...

I think my favorite nut butter would be honey roasted cashew

Amy said...

I'm following
Robin Robertson on Pinterest

Amy said...

I'm also following you on twitter

Amy said...

I'm following globalvegan on twitter

Amy said...

I follow your blog via my RSS feed

Amy said...

And I tweeted the pre-written tweet, too!

Rachel said...

I follow Robin on Pinterest (as My Naturally Frugal Family)

Rachel said...

I follow robin on pinterest (as My Naturally Frugal Family)

Rachel said...

I follow you on Twitter (@rachelkyle0402)

Rachel said...

I follow Robin on Twitter (@rachelkyle0402)

Rachel said...

I tweeted the giveaway (https://twitter.com/rachelkyle0402/status/308195728927371264)

Rachel said...

I follow you through e-mail.

Millie said...

Everything looks fabulous...I love it.

http://nuestracena-vegancuisine.blogspot.com

The Peace Patch said...

My favorite is cashew butter, usually with a bit of flax seed mixed in. :)

Kelly G. said...

Chocolate hazelnut butter!

Kelly G. said...

I follow Robin on twitter @vegandaemon

Kelly G. said...

I also follow Gail on twitter @vegandaemon

Aimee Douglass said...

Definitely peanut butter has to be my favorite. Pure comfort and it satisfies my cravings for salty and sweet at the same time.

Unknown said...

Peanut butter is still the best!

Unknown said...

Peanut butter is still the best. Love it with celery!

Martha said...

Almond butter is my guilty pleasure!

Jennifer K said...

Peanut butter forever!

Jennifer K said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Jennifer K said...

I subscribed :)

Jennifer K said...

I follow Gail Davis on Twitter (@Jenny_Vegan)

Jennifer K said...

I follow Robin Robertson on Twitter (@Jenny_Vegan)

Jennifer K said...

I follow Robin on Pinterest (Jennifer K - inspiredjenny)

Jennifer K said...

I tweeted: https://twitter.com/Jenny_Vegan/status/308956518085173248

Northeast Yarn Ho said...

Raw almond butter is definitely my favorite! I love the flavor and texture...plus it makes great salad dressing!

Northeast Yarn Ho said...

I'm following GlobalVegan on Twitter.

Northeast Yarn Ho said...

I'm following Hungry Vegan on NetworkedBlogs.

Northeast Yarn Ho said...

I'm following Robin Robertson on Pinterest!

Northeast Yarn Ho said...

I'm following VegieGail on Twitter.

Northeast Yarn Ho said...

I tweeted the contest message!

heleen said...

Thank you for this giveaway! I'm very curious about Robin's book.
I shamefully never even tried any kind of nut butter besides peanut! However, cashews are my favourite afternoon snack so their butter-variation can't be bad... Must find!

heleen.deboever[at]hotmail.com

Domestic Diva said...

I like almond butter.


lovelydomesticdiva (at) gmail (dot) com

David said...

I like almond butter

David said...

I follow @GlobalVegan on Twitter.

David said...

I follow @Vegiegail on Twitter.

David said...

I tweeted the message

David said...

I subscribed to your emails, davidpress (at) hotmail (dot) com

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