Today I am delighted to introduce you to my friend Allison, who you may know as the genius behind Allison’s Gourmet. Allison Rivers Samson is an award-winning chef and author whose culinary adventures took flight 17 years ago when she launched Allison’s Gourmet, an online organic, vegan bakery and confectionary boutique. She has just released an e-book, Comfortably Yum, and I had a chance to talk with her about it.
JL Fields: Why did you decide to write this book?
Allison Rivers Samson: For 15 of the 17 years I’ve been a professional vegan chef, it’s been a dream of mine to write a cookbook. I created this one to be very accessible to omnivores and vegans alike, and with just 10 recipes so that my readers will feel like it’s doable to try every recipe. There’s no need to decide which to start with since I’ve already culled and selected the best of the best!
JL: You’re known for veganizing the food many of us grew with and up and loved. What’s the trick to making it familiar, yet vegan?
Allison: It’s all about flavor and texture. And freeing creativity. I approach recipes differently than most. For me, veganism offers a framework ripe with options. While there are plenty of vegan substitutes, my approach is to use my knowledge of plant foods to achieve similar results. I like to think of recreating comfort-food recipes more like an art form than a translation.
JL: Do you have tips for home cooks who want to feed their family vegan meals but may be getting some resistance?
Allison: My specialty is pleasing the omnivorous palate, which is why many people make my recipes to serve a “mixed” crowd. Try out recipes for foods that feel familiar and once they taste how delicious vegan meals can be, scoffs will turn into pleas for seconds.
JL: What’s your favorite ingredient?
Allison: What a question! I have many, so I’ll narrow it down to two in the legume category that our family purchases in 25 pound bulk bags: French Green Lentils, for their versatility and rich flavor, even when seasoned with nothing more than salt; and Garbanzo Beans for lending their ability to be used in almost any dish. Both are used in my book.
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I have great news, readers! YOU could win a copy of Allison’s e-book! Simply share your favorite vegan comfort food in the comments below! I’ll select a winner at 5pm EST on Sunday, December 29!
27 thoughts on “Comfortably Yum: An interview with the author + a GIVEAWAY”
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Cashew Mac and Cheese is my go-to for vegan comfort food. In my pre-vegan days, I used to eat Kraft by the potfull; now I do the same, but in a more compassionate way 🙂
I just love burgers, so my go to favorite is the BBQ peanut sweet potato burger.
my favorite vegan comfort food is Pumpkin Soup!
Ditto cover photo & Laura’s comment, Vegan Mac & Cheese is my go to vegan comfort food! When taken to potlucks, the non vegans nosh it up as quickly as vegans!
Beet burger and Japanese sweet potato salad
Hummus. My go-to recipe is from Aveline Kushi’s “Macrobiotic Cooking.” Secret ingredient is umeboshi plum paste.
(I see there is another “Laura J.” here. Maybe I should create a new account with different name….)
Mac and cheese, hands down.
Mac and cheese!
Obviously vegan mac and cheese is so good, but my favorite is a Cajun-spiced tempeh and vegan creamy grits. I didn’t grow up in the south, but shrimp and grits was one of my favorite dishes in my pre-vegan days, and the plant-based version is even better!
Hummus, red bean mousse and Terry Hope’s, white seitan are my favorites.
I just made a batch of white seitan for part of Christmas dinner tomorrow.
Thank you for the opportunity.
My favorite vegan comfort food is this vegan chili recipe I stumbled upon. It’s a great winter dish that I make a big pot full and gorge on the leftovers for days.
http://allrecipes.com/recipe/the-best-vegetarian-chili-in-the-world/
mac n cheeze!
Popcorn. Peanut butter and chocolate.
MAC & CHEESE all the way…& vegan, of course!
Hummus is my favorite comfort food.
Mmm, that mac n cheese looks great but my favorite comfort food is coconut rice pudding.
hummus, plain, or flavored with red peppers, or italian (pizza flavor), served with veggies or homemade pitas.
Hi JL, this is probably my all time favorite comforting recipe, vegan or otherwise. I usually use a whole avocado in the dressing and adjust the . I leave out the farro, for some reason I don’t like it in here. I apologize to the original author, I can’t recall where I found it but it is fantastic. Yours, Ellice
Kale Market Salad
Lacinato kale is my variety of choice here.
Green Garlic Dressing:
2 stalks green garlic (or scallions), rinsed and chopped (~1/4 cup)
1/4 teaspoon fine grain sea salt, plus more to taste
2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
1/3 cup / 80 ml extra virgin olive oil
2 tablespoons ripe avocado
1 teaspoon honey, or to taste
fresh pepper to taste
1/2 bunch kale, destemmed, torn into pieces
1 cup / 5.5 oz cooked farro or wheat berries (semi-pearled or whole)
4-5 farmers’ market carrots, very thinly sliced
1 small bulb of fennel, transparently sliced
1 avocado, cut into small cubes
a big handful of almond slices, toasted
Make the dressing by using a hand blender or food processor to puree the green garlic, salt, lemon juice, olive oil, avocado, honey, and pepper until smooth. Taste, and adjust with more salt, or honey, or lemon juice.
Before you’re ready to serve, combine the kale with about half of the dressing in a large bowl use your hands to work the dressing into the kale, softening up the kale a bit in the process. Add the farro, carrots, and fennel, more dressing, and a couple pinches of salt, and toss again. Taste, and add the last of the dressing if needed. This is a salad I like quite heavily dressed. Add the avocados and almonds and give one last gentle toss.
Serves 2-4.
Nice! I always prefer reviews when they are coupled with a giveaway. Dal bhat is my favourite comfort food
My food has to be either fast or I’m pulling out the recipe books. I’d just as soon nuke a Gardein patty with Daiya on a NY bagel as spend a few hours making seitan cutlet piccata with mashed potatoes and sauteed greens.
My comfort food is spaghetti aglio olio e peperoncino: with garlic oil and chilli pepper. Simple and comforting for me!
I’m going to echo a few of the other comments and say Mac n Cheese!
I love vegan taco casserole. 🙂
Mashed potatoes! Doesn’t matter if I make them with olive oil or with vegan milk/butter, I could eat a big bowl of them any time.
I love basking potatoes with herb seasoning or falling back on a delicious salad with almonds and cranberries! 🙂
contact: ipoliticalworld@gmail.com
I would LOVE to win this book – I really want to explore the Vegan lifestyle more – for my whole family. FINGERS CROSSED!
Thank you for all of the great vegan comfort food ideas! @disqus_hmBwkzkGIk:disqus is the winner and the contest is now closed!