So, my friend Miguel called me up Sunday whilst I was mid-move (new home is NoEPo with a deliciously quick walk to work).  He was letting me know that his vegan momma - of greater Dallas, Texas no less - had just picked up one of my most favorite books, Vegan Cupcakes Take Over The Worldcupcakecover2.jpg!  Oh, how I envy her fresh vegan cupcake eyes.  When I bought this gem of a baking guide, I literally baked up 5 separate recipes within 7 days.  I feared a life of unsatisfying sweets as I embarked upon my vegan foray, but Isa Chandra Moskowitz and Terry Hope Romero showed me the way of cholestorol-free delight.  The smores cupcake is the most decadent one I have yet to bake, with a pho-buttercream frosting that puts every cow to shame.

Veganism is a fun challenge.  It requires creativity to find tasty culinary creations in a non-vegan culture.  This was one of my motivators for trying out the plant-based diet.  Luckily, Isa Chandra Moskowitz exists because she sure makes it fun!  Vegan with a Vengeance taught me not only how to spell 'vengeance' but also that Isa is probably the cutest, funniest cooking writer (and so clear - really good for the non-cooks, i.e. me, out there).  Her Post Punk Kitchen show is perfect for those requiring a visual and Isa just came out with a new one-stop vegan cookbook, Veganomicon.

Mmm... cupcakes.

Paz,

Diana

Here's a sushi tutorial - vegan style:

[googlevideo]http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-2339485853386165626&hl=en[/googlevideo]