Vegan here, I was wondering if anyone knew where to find good vegan desserts other than Whole Foods around here.

3/20/2008 9:39:25 PM

Irregardless had some vegan entrees, but I just looked at their menu and didn't see any desserts.

3/20/2008 9:47:53 PM

trader joes might have some stuff, for a restaurant maybe cafe parizade in durham



but while baking that stuff can be a bit challenging, its worth it because most retailers charge more for those desserts even though they are frequently made with less expensive ingredients

3/21/2008 12:18:10 AM

You'll have to venture out to Carborro for a better selection of vegan sweets.

I'm vegan going on 2 years now. It's not that hard to make quick desserts vegan. Also, try Earth Fare out in Briar Creek.

3/21/2008 6:23:51 AM

I tend to just make all my desserts. leftyisreal seems to like them, so they must be okay. I make a ton of cupcakes for my housemates from Vegan Cupcakes Take Over The World and their first book has an amazing chocolate raspberry cake that I love to make for birthdays.

3/21/2008 7:33:38 AM

Quote :

"baking that stuff can be a bit challenging, its worth it"

3/21/2008 7:33:40 AM

Just out of curiosity, how healthy are you vegans? I've only known a few vegans before, but all of them were really thin and kind of sickly.

3/21/2008 8:09:10 AM

That might be a chicken/egg issue.

HAR HAR HAR HAR

3/21/2008 8:13:27 AM

You should talk to aea She's been a vegan for a long time and knows allllll about it. And she's a very healthy eater and cooks a lot so i'm sure she can help you out.

3/21/2008 8:21:57 AM

Quote :

"You'll have to venture out to Carborro for a better selection of vegan sweets. "

Spotted Dog?

3/21/2008 9:10:24 AM

Quote :

"chocolate raspberry cake"

There is a cookie recipe that uses raspberry jam from that book is awesome too.

3/21/2008 10:06:21 AM

Quote :

"but all of them were really thin and kind of sickly."

I don't know what you mean by "sickly", but thin != unhealthy.

In fact, caloric restriction has been shown to prolong lives of lab rats, and there are a few thousand people across the US practising caloric restriction in the hopes of prolonging their lives. They eat 75% of the typical/recommended caloric intake, and weigh in at about 20 pounds lighter than they should.

Veganism itself does not mean caloric restriction, but if you are a healthy vegan, I bet you are eating fewer calories than a,omst anybody.

3/21/2008 10:09:08 AM

Sunflowers (across from Peace College) is a great restaurant for Vegetarians/Vegans.
I can't remember if they have many desserts though...

<- was a vegetarian from the age of 7-20 (lacto-ovo) and was VERY healthy. My mother cooked and I ate a very balanced diet growing up. I was active and athletic - running cross-country and track.


I now eat seafood, poultry and pork but still opt for vegetarian entrees options often.


and I second Irregardless

[Edited on March 21, 2008 at 10:18 AM. Reason : c]

3/21/2008 10:15:58 AM

^^ In response to that, I must say that I've had trouble keeping weight on. So I've started a diet journal to make sure I put 15-20lbs back on and with a good protein to carb ratio. It's all about the discipline, not meat vs. veggies.

[Edited on March 21, 2008 at 10:18 AM. Reason : asdf]

3/21/2008 10:18:00 AM

these are the vitamins I take along with a Fish/Flax Oil and Iron supplement.

http://www.infinitehealthresources.com/Store/Products/Item/-9/1/2088.html?Def=No
They are expensive but I only take them once a day so a 1 month supply lasts 2 months.

3/21/2008 10:25:45 AM

I'm going to check out that restaurant sometime XCchick, thanks for the suggestion.

Also, could someone post the recipe for that strawberry jam cookie?

Lastly, does anyone know where to find some good soy cheese? The Veggie Slices Provolone wasn't to my liking, and Provolone used to be my favorite cheese

3/21/2008 12:03:59 PM

Quote :

"Also, could someone post the recipe for that strawberry jam cookie?"

I think it's this one from Vegan With A Vengeance.

Chocolate Thumbprint Cookies

1 Cup AP Flour
1/3 Cup Cocoa Powder
1/4 teaspoon Salt
1/4 teaspoon Baking Soda
1/3 Cup Peanut Oil
1/3 Cup Soy Milk
1 teaspoon Vanilla Extract
1/2 teaspoon Almond Extract
2/3 Cup Sugar
6 teaspoons jam

Preheat oven to 350F. Line two cookie sheets with parchment paper.
Sift together flour, cocoa powder, salt and baking soda.
In a large bowl, mix the wet (except jam) plus the sugar. Add the dry to the wet and incorporate well.
With damp hands(to prevent cracking the cookie edges), roll 1 tablespoon of dough into a ball and press between your palms into a disc, then place on the cookie sheet.

Bake 5 minutes and remove from oven.

Press your thumb into each cookie to make an indent.
Place 1/4 teaspoon of jam into each indent.

Bake another 6 minutes. Remove and let cool

3/21/2008 1:02:19 PM

http://www.101cookbooks.com/archives/amazing-black-bean-brownies-recipe.html

Amazing Black Bean Brownies Recipe

Quote :

"As strange as it sounds (we're talking about brownies packed with pureed black beans), this recipe from a new book by Ania Catalano delivers deliciously dense, bite-sized squares of melt-in-your-mouth fudge-textured brownies. Ania mentions that this flourless brownie was the most sought-after recipe at her restaurant and bakery."

Quote :

"For those of you who have a hard time tracking down agave nectar (which is becoming much more readily available) substitute honey 1:1 for the agave nectar. Ania's head notes encourage you to keep these brownies in the refrigerator, they will slice much better if refrigerated several hours or preferably overnight. I used instant coffee this time around, but you can find natural coffee substitute at many natural food stores. 4 ounces unsweetened chocolate 1 cup unsalted butter 2 cups soft-cooked black beans, drained well (hs: canned is fine) 1 cup walnuts, chopped 1 tablespoon vanilla extract ¼ cup (granulated) natural coffee substitute (or instant coffee, for gluten-sensitive) ¼ teaspoon sea salt 4 large eggs 1½ cups light agave nectar Preheat the oven to 325°F. Line an 11- by 18-inch (rimmed) baking pan (hs note: or jellyroll pan) with parchment paper and lightly oil with canola oil spray. Melt the chocolate and butter in a glass bowl in the microwave for 1 1/2 to 2 minutes on high. Stir with a spoon to melt the chocolate completely. Place the beans, 1/2 cup of the walnuts, the vanilla extract, and a couple of spoonfuls of the melted chocolate mixture into the bowl of a food processor. Blend about 2 minutes, or until smooth. The batter should be thick and the beans smooth. Set aside. In a large bowl, mix together the remaining 1/2 cup walnuts, remaining melted chocolate mixture, coffee substitute, and salt. Mix well and set aside. In a separate bowl, with an electric mixer beat the eggs until light and creamy, about 1 minute. Add the agave nectar and beat well. Set aside. Add the bean/chocolate mixture to the coffee/chocolate mixture. Stir until blended well. Add the egg mixture, reserving about 1/2 cup. Mix well. Pour the batter into the prepared pan. Using an electric mixer, beat the remaining 1/2 cup egg mixture until light and fluffy. Drizzle over the brownie batter. Use a wooden toothpick to pull the egg mixture through the batter, creating a marbled effect. Bake for 30 to 40 minutes, until the brownies are set. Let cool in the pan completely before cutting into squares. (They will be soft until refrigerated.) Makes 45 (2-inch) brownies."

From Baking With Agave Nectar: Over 100 Recipes Using Nature’s Ultimate Sweetener by Ania Catalano. (Ten Speed Press 2008)

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1587613212/



I am gonna give this a try within the next week.

3/21/2008 1:35:12 PM

Quite honestly, I think that if you're a vegetarian, and especially a vegan, you should cook mostly for yourself. There are some good ways to get pre-made veg food, but it's so hard to find really high quality stuff compared to what you can cook

also, I'm sure you already have it, but diet for a small palnet by francis lappe is awesome for understanding the science behind maximizing your nutrient intake by combining certain foods. I never knew, for instance, that beans and rice are so often eaten together because when digested together the protein from the beans, for instance, is better absorbed into your body.

3/21/2008 1:35:44 PM

^ Most people don't really buy into the protein combining idea anymore.

Speaking of protein, I can't stand how so many people really think it's impossible to get enough protein as a vegetarian. I imagine it's even worse for vegans.

3/21/2008 2:22:29 PM

Everyone thinks I'm going to whither away and die from lack of protein. Meanwhile I feel great, have very low cholesterol, great blood pressure, great blood sugar levels.

America is turning into a nation of fat diabetics.

3/21/2008 2:28:55 PM

Most Americans probably get way too much since every meal is centered around a giant piece of meat. That's bad for your bones.

3/21/2008 2:36:51 PM

i plan on venturing back into veganism

not sure when though.

i loved it.
LOVED it.

had so much more energy.

i had to kinda stop because i dont have a lot of time to prepare the foods required nor the money to but the already prepared stuff.


but when im done with all my studying (which wont be til june)

imma get back into it

3/21/2008 2:40:11 PM

Found some amazing recipes:

Gluten-free brownies
http://dietdessertndogs.wordpress.com/2008/02/01/bean-there-done-that-gluten-free-brownies/

Butterscotch mousse pie
http://dietdessertndogs.wordpress.com/2008/03/12/butterscotch-mousse-pie/

Vegan Molten Chocolate Cakes
http://dietdessertndogs.wordpress.com/2008/02/04/vegan-molten-chocolate-cakes/

Maple-Walnut Cookies
http://dietdessertndogs.wordpress.com/2008/03/14/maple-walnut-cookies/

Chocolate Tofu Pudding
http://dietdessertndogs.wordpress.com/2007/11/22/yet-another-chocolate-tofu-pudding/


Search on that blog (see archives) for others, and bookmark it, as well as these blogs:

http://howtogainweightonavegandiet.blogspot.com/
http://cookeasyvegan.blogspot.com/
http://blog.fatfreevegan.com/
http://themetalvegansrealm.blogspot.com/
http://notquitevegan.blogspot.com/
http://swellvegan.wordpress.com/
http://urbanvegan.blogspot.com/
http://blog.vegcooking.com/
http://vegandad.blogspot.com/
http://veganforone.blogspot.com/
http://veganfeastkitchen.blogspot.com/
http://dieflaschenpost.blogspot.com/
http://thevillagevegetable.blogspot.com/
http://daytodayvegan.blogspot.com/
http://vegkitchen.com/
http://veganvisitor.wordpress.com/
http://veggiegirlvegan.blogspot.com/
http://kitchen-parade-veggieventure.blogspot.com/
http://walkingtheveganline.blogspot.com/

Also the other blogs linked on all those sites.


That should give you several hundred to a couple of thousand vegan dessert recipes.

3/21/2008 3:08:58 PM

i will comfirm, Alee makes some awsome vegetarian food, and i do not complain

[Edited on March 21, 2008 at 3:59 PM. Reason : awsome]

3/21/2008 3:58:16 PM

http://www.theppk.com is a great resource. Active forums and lots of food pictures and recipes.

3/21/2008 4:00:42 PM

Someone organize a vegan triangle potluck, I make a decent vegan lasagna


also, anyone found a good vegan mayo? I had some on a tempeh sandwich at a restaurant and want to emulate the recipe

3/21/2008 4:02:59 PM

Vegenaise is my favorite. Yum!

3/21/2008 4:11:48 PM

http://stuffwhitepeoplelike.wordpress.com/2008/01/27/32-veganvegetarianism/

3/21/2008 4:15:23 PM

GOD DAMN

http://www.theppk.com/recipes/dbrecipes/index.php?RecipeID=153

3/22/2008 4:36:18 AM

i've been vegetarian for almost 2 months now.i dont think I could ever go vegan though -- i <3 ice cream wayyy too much.

and i dont think being vegan is healthy; you'd have to take a bunch of supplements to get the nutrients you need.

3/23/2008 4:24:18 PM

Quote :

"and i dont think being vegan is healthy; you'd have to take a bunch of supplements to get the nutrients you need. "

I'm doing fine, thanks.

3/23/2008 4:31:15 PM

Quote :

"In fact, caloric restriction has been shown to prolong lives of lab rats, and there are a few thousand people across the US practising caloric restriction in the hopes of prolonging their lives. They eat 75% of the typical/recommended caloric intake, and weigh in at about 20 pounds lighter than they should. "

DON"T GET ME STARTED ON THAT BULLSHIT.

3/23/2008 4:32:06 PM

i dunno. getting osteoporosis is a big worry of mine. dairy products are my friends.

where do you eat when you go out? I like Souper Salad

3/23/2008 4:34:46 PM

^^i think i've lost 12 pounds since cutting meat out of my diet

3/23/2008 4:35:31 PM

My post is not from someone who has struggled to loose weight by cutting meat. I eat lots and lots of meat. I'm not trying to to loose weight.

What I disagree w/ is the lifestyle that study oep references advocates....weak and feeble. Sure for some this means a longer life, but at a tremendous cost.

3/23/2008 4:39:35 PM

why would eating less make you live longer?? i think as long as you're eating WELL and exercising well that you should be able to eat however much you want.

3/23/2008 4:49:02 PM

You don't get osteoporosis if you use Silk (a brand of soymilk) instead of milk.

There is also dairy free ice cream.

just a thought

3/23/2008 4:49:17 PM

jessiejepp god damn you are already borderline anorexic...stop losing weight

3/23/2008 4:50:46 PM

i know, it's actually kinda scary.

i live a pretty sedentary lifestyle now, too. i cant remember the last time i went to the gym. *sigh*

3/23/2008 5:06:24 PM

eat more chicken

3/23/2008 5:15:27 PM

Quote :

"DON"T GET ME STARTED ON THAT BULLSHIT."

Quote :

"why would eating less make you live longer?? "

It is not bullshit. It is WELL-documented, albeit, in lab rats and other small such animals. Rats have had their lives extended by 50% 100% on a low-calorie diet.

Reason: Any food you eat is metabolized. Metabolism produces free oxygen radicals, which cause oxidative damage in tissue and DNA, i.e., AGING. That decreases your life span. (via all sorts of life-style diseases)

So, if you eat less, you have less "bad molecules" produced, and hence, less damage to your DNA (and so, less chances of cancer, arthritis, etc), i.e, SLOWER AGING.

That's just one of the mechanisms. There is also the [negative] effects of insulin (released when you eat food) on your body. And other reasons as well.

The evidence is really over-whelming:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caloric_restriction


[Edited on March 23, 2008 at 5:23 PM. Reason : ]

3/23/2008 5:22:56 PM

not to hijack, but i heard eskimos live longer cause they are in a colder climate, so their cells dont replicate as fast or some shit, so they live longer...idk i heard it on tv...

3/23/2008 5:28:52 PM

no, not random at all

3/23/2008 5:35:13 PM

Here are some various food pictures from food I've had in 2008 so far:


Treats for a Christmas/New Year's Party, so I guess this could go under 2007. Featuring two cherry filled cupcakes and raspberry jam cookies from Vegan Cupcakes Take Over The World, hummus w/ pita and pita chips, chips w/ vegan sour cream and onion dip, tortillas w/ salsa, and vegan spinach artichocke dip, and a veggie plate.

Vegan lemon cream cake.

Vegan two layer chocolate cake with raspberry icing! Yum! I believe this one had a dividing layer of lemon icing as well.

TVP Chickenless Salad on whole grain bread and an avacado wrap with sesame dressing from Sticky Fingers Bakery in DC.

Cream Cookie from Sticky Fingers.

Foreground: Vegan Chili/Cheeze Burger Background: Vegan Grilled Cheeze w/tepeh bacon at Asylum in DC

Close up of delicious chickenless patty veggie concoction from Java Green in DC

Poor image of same sandwich from above on right and a tofu/steamed purple rice wrap, in the background are a vegan pumpkin spice cake, in our drinks are biodegradable corn starch straws! They had corn starch forks and knives too but you can not see them in this picture.

Time for lunch.

3/25/2008 10:50:11 AM

I have to admit, Tofutti is pretty awesome.

Quote :

"there are a few thousand people across the US practising caloric restriction in the hopes of prolonging their lives"

Noticing how many fat bastards are walking around these days I'd hope more than a few thousand people are restricting their calories

But heeeeyyyy, wait, aren't the STRICT vegans against using any kind of animal product? So no milk/cheese/butter/dairy either?

[Edited on March 25, 2008 at 10:55 AM. Reason : .]

3/25/2008 10:53:12 AM

I just saw AlliePaige's post in this thread and it made me

i'm wondering what are some vegan takes on traditional easter meals. a bit late for this year, i know, but i was at a complete loss this weekend when i tried to think of some. any ideas?

3/25/2008 11:13:20 AM

Quote :

"But heeeeyyyy, wait, aren't the STRICT vegans against using any kind of animal product? So no milk/cheese/butter/dairy either?"

That's not "STRICT" veganism, that's "REGULAR" veganism.

3/25/2008 11:15:04 AM

I made beignets and grits for the Vet House's Easter Brunch.





They got devoured.

[Edited on March 25, 2008 at 11:16 AM. Reason : ]

3/25/2008 11:16:24 AM

Thank you guys so much for your great contributions to this thread so far

3/25/2008 11:25:58 AM