Wednesday, March 16, 2011

Vegan Alfredo for the Vegan Munchies

I've made plenty of vegan fettucine alfredo recipes over the past few years, and I've been impressed by all of them. Lindsay's low-fat tofu-based alfredo sauce from Happy Herbivore is fantabulous, and the vegan parm-heavy version in Skinny Bitch has long been a favorite. But when I saw Jenn "Shaggy" Shagrin's Roasted White Eggplant Fettucine Alfredo with Fresh Fennel and Spinach from Veganize This!, I knew I had to give it a go:

Rather than rely on tofu or faux vegan parm, Jenn's recipe uses pureed, roasted eggplant and MimicCreme to create a creamy, rich sauce that packs a nutritional punch. I love the idea of hiding veggies in my sauce! Also, this was my second time using fennel (notice the fancy-ass fennel frond for garnish), and I really do like it. Last time, I ate it raw in a red quinoa salad, but in this recipe, the fennel is sauteed with onion in olive oil with herbs and white wine. I'm pretty sure I like fennel best when cooked.

This is the first recipe I've made from Jenn's book, but at a glance, the book seems as awesome as the Shaggy lady herself. If you've never been to Jenn's blog, Veganize It ... Don't Criticize It, you're totally missing out. Jenn uses her blog to share her gourmet vegan recipes and hilarious stories. She's definitely the funniest food blogger I've ever had the pleasure of following.

As for the book, the recipes are generally pretty fancy (think coconut vinegar-cured tofu scallops or lemon-thyme-agave-braised vegan short ribs), but in true Shaggy style, the recipes are filed under chapter headings like "Recipes Guaranteed to Get You Laid" or "Satisfying the Vegan Munchies." And also in Shaggy style, the gourmet recipes are interspersed with veganized versions of junk food fit for a vegan stoner (think homemade vegan Doritos and vegan Twinkies!). Yes, I said "vegan Twinkies." You need this book.

15 comments:

vegan.in.brighton said...

I also love the idea of hiding veggies in my sauce! I hadn't heard of this cook book though so I'll definitely have to check it out.

Dianne said...

Ooh eggplant is so creamy but I never thought of using for a sauce! Honestly the alfredo recipe I use is on the back of the Edensoy box, lol.

Sal - AlienOnToast said...

I like the sound of that book!! :)

Kristine said...

I walked past this at the bookstore the other day and was VERY intrigued but didn't have time to stop. I am SO going back today to buy it!! Thanks!!!

:)


xo

Kari said...

I'm adding it to my cookbook wishlist. And I love the idea of veggies hidden in things.

Eve said...

That looks (and sounds) so good. I love eggplant!

Jess - The Domestic Vegan said...

I LOVE Jenn's site & that book looks so awesome.

Lauren said...

Jenn's blog is amazing and her cookbook is also just totally awesome. I have it, and if you really love to cook you will love Jenn's book. Her homemade seitan recipes are the bomb and she is one of the only vegan food bloggers I know that can create these masterpiece recipes fit for fine dining or Iron Chef or something. She really does have a gift- her book contains vegan seafood (omg What?!?) and every recipe I have ever made of Jenn's from blog or book is always outstanding. I love her!

Anonymous said...
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Anonymous said...

I'm always a fan of using fresh vegetables over vegan cheeses and such. Cool recipe! Also, I'm excited to check out the blog/book you mentioned. Sa-weet.

Sheridan said...

Vegan twinkies?!?!

MeloMeals said...

That sounds so delicious... the Mimic Cream... she uses that in so many recipes!.. I've never even heard of it.. (although I've heard she has a recipe for a sub in her book)

Amber @ Zombie Cats Eating Plants said...

that looks amazing! i LOVE trying Alfredo recipes. Im definitely gonna have to check that book out... and the blog!... Thanks for sharing! =D

Nikki said...

Yum! I just visited Jenn's sight for the first time. Soooo great!

Also, love your blog too. You're pretty funny yourself :)

VeggieLow said...

so i read this post and was intrigued and then later was browsing a closing-down borders store and found this book for cheap! totally a sign from the universe to buy it! wowsers - excited to tackle some of these recipes. just did a spice order for all the stuff for "pork chop style seitan" - we'll see how it goes :)