This week I had the pleasure of teaching a seasonal cooking class featuring recipes from my new cookbook, Easy Peasy Vegan Eats.  This was for the North Branford Adult Education program, which is part of the Connecticut Shoreline adult education system ERACE.


Nine students gathered with me in the school's cafeteria to learn about vegan cooking, where to get your protein, iron and calcium, and how to make quick and easy recipes that everyone will enjoy. I was happy to hear that most everyone was familiar with the health benefits of a plant-based diet and had come to the class wanting to learn more about what to eat to reverse conditions like heart disease, high blood pressure and diverticulitis.  I think everyone was also pleasantly surprised to learn that healthy food could also be pretty darn tasty, too!


The menu featured recipes made with fresh local ingredients I picked up from the City Seed farmers market in Edgewood Park.  The gorgeous heirloom tomatoes were from Rosedale Farm in Simsbury and the luscious peaches were from Rose's Berry Farm in Glastonbury.  Using these fruits and vegetables when they're at their peak provides the most nutrients and flavor.


For our main dish I made Three Sisters Stew which incorporates squash, corn and beans into a tomato based broth seasoned with cumin and oregano.  The dish was served on top of creamy polenta and garnished with a drizzle of parsley pistou and a sprinkling of toasted spiced pepitas.


The colors, tastes and textures create a culinary balance that leaves one feeling satisfied.


For dessert I modified a recipe for Gooey Toffee Apple Crisp from my cookbook, substituting peaches for the apples because they just looked so tempting.  They soften up in the oven and meld nicely with the crunchy topping.  A dollop of vegan coconut milk ice cream would be the perfect accompaniment, but this was a nice refreshingly sweet ending to the meal on its own.


Thank you to Pat Cardozza and ERACE for inviting me to give this class and for everyone who attended.  I will be creating more meals like this in the coming weeks.  Stay tuned for more Easy Peasy classes and events!

The world needs more people like Zoe Weil.  People who are passionate about their work, who are making a difference in the world, and who are inspiring others to do the same.  As the founder of the Institute for Humane Education, Ms. Weil trains people to become humane educators, spreading the message of compassion and respect for all people, animals, and the planet.


The Institute she founded in 1996 integrates fundamental elements of humankind, essentially teaching all of us to become our best selves in every aspect of our lives.  It's not just about social justice, or animal rights, or environmental activism; it's all of those... hence, "doing the most good" or MOGO. This is what we need to solve global issues of poverty, racism, classicism, habitat destruction, animal exploitation and extinction, climate change, and global warming.  And we must do it NOW.


This week I had the pleasure of attending a lecture by Zoe Weil and also provide some vegan desserts for those attending the event.  I was happy to support her important work and hopefully entice some non-vegans into eschewing animal products once they tasted these delectable treats!


I prepared Chocolate Peanut Butter Brownie Bites that were rich and decadent, and one would never guess they were not only vegan but gluten-free, too!


For those looking for healthier decadence, I made Raw Cacao, Coconut & Walnut Truffles rolled in Hemp Seeds.  You'd never imagine something so healthy could be so luscious as well.


IHE Board member, Caitlin Sorge, also baked up some heavenly treats.  She made Black Bottomed Coconut Macaroons and absolutely stunning looking Chocolate Covered Strawberries.  Guests were also treated to some ridiculously good Divine Treasures vegan chocolates by Dianne Wageman.

IHE offers on-line Masters Degree and certificate programs, various workshops, and on-line courses throughout the year.  Please visit their website to learn more about how you can put your passion into practice by becoming a humane educator!