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Book Review & A Giveaway

February 29, 2012 By Julie Hasson

 

I am so excited to review Dynise Balcavage’s newest cookbook! This book is packed with fun and fabulous recipes, covering a wide variety of holidays from the traditional (all of the usual cultural and religious holidays) to the not-so-traditional (like Girls’ Night In, Snow Day, Tailgate Party, and Slumber Party, to name a few). Even better, these recipes also make fabulous go-to recipes for weeknight dinners, when you want to get out of your rut and try something new and out-of-the-box.

The polenta fries is one of those recipes. I cooked up a pot of the polenta, thinking that I would serve them up along side some veggie burgers. What I discovered was not only were they really delicious as fries, but that the polenta itself would be wonderful served up on it’s own, topped with a grilled portabello mushroom or oven-roasted veggies. This stuff is good!

Everything that I have made from this book has been delish. The Thai-Centric Mac & Cheese is outstanding (and actually you can find not only that recipe but also a video of the beautiful Dynise preparing it, on Everyday Dish). I’ve also tried the Sticky Rice with Mango, Sweet Potato Pie With Pecan Crust, Bruschetta With Easy Romesco Sauce and the Smoky Tahini Sauce. Everything was really delicious!

Fortunately for all of you, Dynise and her publisher have generously offered a giveaway, but have also said that I could share the recipe for the Polenta Fries. Unfortunately the giveaway is for US residents only. All you have to do is leave a comment below, and your name will be entered into the drawing for a free copy of the book. Don’t forget to include your email address, so that we have a way to reach you if you’ve won.

Now, before you go, here is the recipe for the Baked Polenta Fries. I highly recommend that you go give them a try soon!

polentafries

Baked Polenta Fries
These grain-based fries are a fun, healthy, alternative to regular French Fries, and you can easily whip them up using pantry staples. If you are of the supermom or superdad persuasion, instead of cutting them into “fries,” use cookie cutters to form them into kid-wowing shapes like animals, hearts, stars, and more. Serve with ketchup or Vegenaise, or with the Cumin-Harissa Dipping Sauce if you’re serving this to adults or adventurous kids.
Yield: A lot -enough for 4 hungry kids (or adults!)

6 cups broth
1/2 tsp salt
2 tsp dried oregano
2 tsp dried rosemary
1 tbsp dried parsley
1 tsp garlic powder
1/2 cup nutritional yeast flakes
1 cup polenta or fine cornmeal
2 tbsp olive oil

1. Spray a large (9 x 13-inch-ish) cookie sheet with cooking spray. Use a high-sided sheet if you have one.
2. Bring the broth to a boil in a large saucepan. Add the salt, herbs and nutritional yeast. Reduce the heat to low, then whisk in the polenta, a bit at a time, taking great care to whisk away any lumps. Be very careful at this stage, because the polenta can bubble up like lava.
3. Whisk continuously until extremely thick, about 10 minutes*.
4. Remove from heat. Using a spatula, spread into the prepared cookie sheet, making sure the dough is at least 1/2-inch thick. Let cool (place in the fridge to speed up the cooling time, if you’re in a hurry), then cut into fries or desired shapes. If cutting into fries, make sure they are between 1/2- and 1-inch wide so they will hold together. Preheat oven to 425°F.
5. Using a pastry brush, coat the tops with 1 tablespoon olive oil. Bake for 20 minutes. Turn over fries, and coat the other side with remaining oil. Bake 20 more minutes or until crispy.

Adapted with permission from CELEBRATE VEGAN, by Dynise Balcavage, 2012, LyonsPress

*I found that it took closer to 20 minutes for me, which may be due to the brand of polenta I used. I used Bob’s Red Mill.

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Filed Under: Appetizers, Cookbook Reviews, Recipes Tagged With: Bob's Red Mill, Celebrate Vegan cookbook, Dynise Balcavage, everyday dish, julie hasson

Previous Post: « Julie’s Vegan Meringue Topping
Next Post: Bodacious Bao Buns »

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Lori

    February 29, 2012 at 2:18 pm

    The book looks great! Thanks for the opportunity!

  2. Katie of Vegan Noms

    February 29, 2012 at 2:25 pm

    How exciting! Just watched the video for the Thai-centric mac & cheese and am now drooling. 🙂

  3. Carrie

    February 29, 2012 at 2:29 pm

    Yum those look so good!

  4. Erin

    February 29, 2012 at 2:30 pm

    Those look So good!!! Yum.

  5. Lizzie

    February 29, 2012 at 2:33 pm

    I’ve been hearing good things about this one. The bruschetta sounds great – if I win, it will be on the top of my to-make list! 🙂

  6. supercarrot

    February 29, 2012 at 2:35 pm

    mmmmmmmmmmmmmmm. yes please!

  7. Meagan Griffin

    February 29, 2012 at 2:36 pm

    Dang those look good! Definitely next on my “to try” list!

  8. Malia

    February 29, 2012 at 2:37 pm

    I was going to make sweet potato fries with truffle ketchup tonight, but this is changing the game plan!

  9. Dalores

    February 29, 2012 at 2:38 pm

    This would be great to have!

  10. Mary Hurley

    February 29, 2012 at 2:38 pm

    These fries look phenomenal- can’t wait to try them.Yummy!!!

  11. Joan

    February 29, 2012 at 2:41 pm

    Wow! Those look yummy!

  12. Laura Lake

    February 29, 2012 at 2:41 pm

    As a life long vegan I’m ashamed to say I’ve never been a cooker lol. I have a 4 month old son & he has inspired me to learn to cook and bake, so he can grow up with home made dinners at the table. This would be awesome to teach me! Thanks for the oppurtunity, yum! 🙂

  13. Taylor

    February 29, 2012 at 2:42 pm

    Looks delicious! Can’t wait to try some of these recipes!

  14. lisa

    February 29, 2012 at 2:42 pm

    always on the lookout for a good vegan cookbook

  15. mandee

    February 29, 2012 at 2:43 pm

    Those look delicious and the book would be wonderful to have!

  16. Lee

    February 29, 2012 at 2:45 pm

    this book looks great!
    more recipeeees! (insert maniacal laughter here)

  17. Nora Sorci

    February 29, 2012 at 2:45 pm

    I just made some polenta yesterday! Maybe I’ll try to make it into fries! So creative Julie 🙂

  18. Christy @ Sparkles & Spinach

    February 29, 2012 at 2:46 pm

    This book looks awesome! A must for anyone’s cookbook library. I would love to own it!!!

  19. Aileen

    February 29, 2012 at 2:46 pm

    Oh I would love her second cookbook to snuggle next to her first.
    Thank you, xo

  20. Monica

    February 29, 2012 at 2:48 pm

    I’ve made polenta fries from a tube, but I can only imagine they’d be better made from scratch! I also want to try the thai mac ‘n cheese.

  21. Leah McManus

    February 29, 2012 at 2:50 pm

    What a great idea for polenta! Thanks for the inspiration 🙂

  22. Debbie

    February 29, 2012 at 2:50 pm

    I need another vegan cookbook. 🙂 Especially, if it has a recipe of Sticky Rice and Mango. Woot woot! The Baked Polenta Fries looks so yummy. I haven’t had these before.

  23. mamachandra

    February 29, 2012 at 2:50 pm

    Those look amazing! I still have Dynise’s 101 quick go-to vegan meals list tucked into my arsenal of must-have-on-hand recipes.

  24. Cathy

    February 29, 2012 at 3:03 pm

    I’m always on the look out for new recipes to try. I think this book is going to the top of my want list.

  25. natalie douglas

    February 29, 2012 at 3:09 pm

    I’m looking forward to reviewing this book…

  26. Audrey

    February 29, 2012 at 3:22 pm

    Those polenta fries sound really unique!

  27. Beth

    February 29, 2012 at 3:32 pm

    I love Dynise! and DANG those fries look gooooood….

  28. Jackie

    February 29, 2012 at 3:33 pm

    Sounds delish!

  29. Ally

    February 29, 2012 at 3:35 pm

    Thanks for posting – this is wonderful!

  30. Angela

    February 29, 2012 at 3:42 pm

    those fries look amazing! i have her first book and would love to have the second as well!

  31. Jennifer M.

    February 29, 2012 at 3:47 pm

    Those polenta fries look awesome! And the cupcakes on the front of the book look positively sinful. YUM! Thanks for the giveaway!

  32. Cadry

    February 29, 2012 at 4:00 pm

    Ooh, those fries look delicious! I’m crazy about polenta and its versatility, but I’ve never made fries out of it. That has to change pronto! 🙂

  33. Rusty M.

    February 29, 2012 at 4:05 pm

    Ohhhhh I am going to make these! Sign me up please. Thanks.

  34. Christina

    February 29, 2012 at 4:07 pm

    Just watched the video for the Thai Mac and Cheese…. looks YUM!

  35. Lisa

    February 29, 2012 at 4:07 pm

    Oh yum! I know what I’m making tonight.

  36. Andrew

    February 29, 2012 at 4:08 pm

    I love polenta. I love fries. These should be great.

  37. panda cookie

    February 29, 2012 at 4:16 pm

    I am in. Polenta fries sound mighty good.

  38. Swaan

    February 29, 2012 at 4:16 pm

    Looks delicious! I am embarrassed to say that I have never prepared polenta…maybe “fries” are a good place to start!

  39. Jessica Caneal

    February 29, 2012 at 4:33 pm

    Polenta fries are an AMAZING idea. I will be trying these tonight!

    jcanilly@msn.com

  40. Leslie

    February 29, 2012 at 4:45 pm

    I tried her Mac and Cheese and loved it. Can’t wait to try this next recipe.

  41. Tamara Anderson

    February 29, 2012 at 5:05 pm

    Thank you, I would love to have this book. I can’t wait to try the Polenta fries!

  42. Beth

    February 29, 2012 at 5:05 pm

    What a great giveaway! And those polenta fries look amazing!

  43. Ashley Shelton

    February 29, 2012 at 5:15 pm

    Those fries look amazing! I am trying to start a new book collection and would live to add this one!

  44. Raven Hannah

    February 29, 2012 at 5:49 pm

    This recipe looks great, however I am surprised that you are promoting Bob’s Red Mill, as they are no longer considered a conscious and compassionate company after a very large donation to OHSU for animal testing as revealed by The Informed Vegan.

    • Julie Hasson

      February 29, 2012 at 6:46 pm

      Hi Raven. I totally understand your concern, but here’s another perspective on the subject http://flavorvegan.blogspot.com/2011/09/inside-perspective.html. Bob and his wife have stated that none of their funds are going to animal research. They are also a local (at least for me), employee-owned company with high quality, non-GMO products.

  45. Mac McCloskey

    February 29, 2012 at 5:52 pm

    Eating plant strong is getting more and more delicious and diverse. Great book & thanks for the polenta fries recipe, Julie…you rock!

  46. Psuke

    February 29, 2012 at 5:58 pm

    Those look similar to a recipe I saw for chickpea flour fries. Now I want to try them both, in a half-n-half dish…

  47. Karen Zielke

    February 29, 2012 at 5:58 pm

    I am a new vegan and I’m still learning the ins and outs. I would love a good cookbook of new ideas.

  48. Regina

    February 29, 2012 at 6:05 pm

    I love polenta fries!

  49. Krista

    February 29, 2012 at 6:10 pm

    Thank you for sharing this recipe–can’t wait to try it!

  50. Jodie

    February 29, 2012 at 6:26 pm

    I’d love to win, and look forward to making those fries!

  51. Anna Hall Russo

    February 29, 2012 at 6:29 pm

    Wow super excited to get this one added to my cookbook collection! 🙂

  52. Billie Meyers

    February 29, 2012 at 6:59 pm

    As a new Vegan I am constantly hunting for new recipes. This looks wonderful and I would love an actual cookbook to help so I can stop downloading recipes off the Internet. Really want to continue this lifestyle since I am feeling so much healthier!!

  53. Cece

    February 29, 2012 at 7:20 pm

    Ooh I’ve had polenta fries once before and they were amazing! Thanks for the reminder, I will have to try these!

  54. Stef

    February 29, 2012 at 7:52 pm

    I usually pan fry polenta, but this looks like such a great idea and healthier too. I bet my kids will love shapes! Oh and I checked my book shelf, maybe I can make room for just one more great cook book!

  55. Kristian

    February 29, 2012 at 8:44 pm

    Great recipe and the book looks cool, too!

  56. Stephanie

    February 29, 2012 at 8:50 pm

    Yum! I’m ready to give these a try.

  57. Marcy

    February 29, 2012 at 9:03 pm

    Yum! Does that ever look and sound wonderful. Thanks for an opportunity to win her book.

  58. Jacqueline

    February 29, 2012 at 11:51 pm

    Those look great! I’ve been wanting that cookbook forever!

  59. Jessica

    March 1, 2012 at 6:03 am

    These polenta fries look awesome! Thank you for the opportunity to win!

  60. Haley

    March 1, 2012 at 6:26 am

    Those fries look so yummy!!!

  61. Lisa L

    March 1, 2012 at 6:34 am

    Going Vegan has been so fantastic. I’m greatful for the creative cookbooks!

  62. j. o. miller

    March 1, 2012 at 6:37 am

    Oh my goodness—polenta fries? What a great idea from what sounds like a book of great ideas!

  63. MollyG

    March 1, 2012 at 6:59 am

    I would love to win Dynise’s book. I love her recipes and her blog, but don’t own any of her cookbooks! Those polenta fries look beautiful, as well!

  64. Sheree

    March 1, 2012 at 9:13 am

    What a wonderful looking book! Oh my polenta fries!!!!

  65. Heather

    March 1, 2012 at 10:35 am

    Julie – these look great! I wonder if you could sub in some quinoa for half of the corn grits…

    • Julie Hasson

      March 1, 2012 at 10:43 am

      Thanks Heather! I would be very curious to try with some quinoa, although it might then need changes to the liquid ratio. Let me know if you try it.

  66. gail

    March 1, 2012 at 11:18 am

    i’d love to add this cookbook to my collection 🙂

  67. Billiejean

    March 1, 2012 at 12:42 pm

    The recipes you mentioned sound very tasty! I love trying new recipes on my parents 🙂

  68. Theresa

    March 1, 2012 at 1:36 pm

    Sweet! A chance to win a new Vegan cookbook! Can’t wit to try the Polenta Fires recipe, thanks!

  69. nik

    March 1, 2012 at 2:56 pm

    Thank you so much for sharing the recipe…I’m totally craving those now! I’d love to try a spicier version too, to serve with a fiery salsa. Cheers!

  70. Kevin Banonis

    March 1, 2012 at 7:09 pm

    My vegan “Southern Biscuits & Sausage Gravy” recipe should be shared with the Hatfields and McCoys who love this traditional b’fast dish but loathe the meaty grind found therein. But until I figure out how to get those two clans to come to the same b’fast table, I will need to add to my library of vegan cuisine documents and published, bound matter. So toss my name into the hat if it is not too late. Thanks!

  71. cassie

    March 2, 2012 at 5:06 am

    I’d love to win. I love vegan recipes.

  72. Cathy Walters

    March 2, 2012 at 6:15 am

    Wow, the book looks amazing! Would love to win it! Thanks for the chance. 🙂

  73. Lee Ann

    March 2, 2012 at 7:23 am

    This book has been on my wish-list for a while now.
    Can’t wait to try the fries.
    Thanks for the giveaway!

  74. Bethany

    March 2, 2012 at 10:10 am

    Oooh, I love special holiday recipes! These recipes sound terrific and I would love to win a copy!

  75. janet @ the taste space

    March 2, 2012 at 11:12 am

    Looks great!

  76. kate

    March 2, 2012 at 4:34 pm

    this book look amazing! i’ve been waiting for it to come out. what a fun idea! and thanks for the recipe!

  77. Amy

    March 2, 2012 at 5:34 pm

    I love Dynise’s recipes! Urban Vegan is one of my favorite cookbooks so I am certain that this one is equally awesome.

  78. Katrina

    March 2, 2012 at 5:35 pm

    Polenta — the ultimate comfort food! And fries — another comfort bad-boy food. Love the combo. 🙂

    Thanks for sharing a recipe and for doing this giveaway!

  79. radioactivegan

    March 2, 2012 at 6:15 pm

    I had polenta croutons once, and they looked very similar to this (though smaller, of course). I’m definitely going to try these out!

  80. Alexander

    March 2, 2012 at 10:08 pm

    Polenta fries? That is so weird sounding that it might be the best idea ever. I am definatly going to have to try that.
    (Thanks for hosting this giveaway!)

  81. Alisha

    March 3, 2012 at 6:43 am

    In my area (rural south USA) it is a meat eaters world so as a vegetarian flirting with the idea of being vegan any new book to help is always great. thanks for this offer!

  82. Irma

    March 3, 2012 at 7:51 am

    Hi Julie I love the coffecake can I have the recepe please

  83. Chris

    March 3, 2012 at 8:57 am

    This looks like a great cookbook! I really enjoy your blog and videos, Julie. Thanks for teaching me how to make my own seitan sausages!

  84. Liz

    March 3, 2012 at 2:35 pm

    Awesome! Can’t wait to make them! I love Polenta! Thanks for sharing! The cookbook sounds amazing…going to check it out!

  85. Courtney

    March 3, 2012 at 4:02 pm

    I would love to win!

  86. Shelly Westerhausen

    March 5, 2012 at 2:32 pm

    Ahhh! I love polenta! It’s great if you melt some cheddar cheese into it and too with some tomatoes and avocados.

  87. Catherine

    March 5, 2012 at 8:25 pm

    That looks good! I have to try it!

  88. Margaret Ochs

    March 14, 2012 at 3:40 pm

    NEVER thought of making fries from polenta. They look delicious! Crossing my fingers for the giveaway. Thanks for the post!

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