Vegan Practically

Good morning and Happy International Women’s Day 2024! As this posts, I’ll be on my way to a breakfast in honor of the day. I thought it would be a great opportunity to draw attention to five of my favourite vegan recipe sites by women. The amount of work that goes into developing and testing the recipes, taking professional quality photographs of the food, and offering the recipes for free to the world is simply astonishing. Indeed, there are so many great websites out there that it was a challenge to bring it down to five. But I did. I’ve already spent tons of time singing the praises of Isa Chandra Moskowitz of Post Punk Kitchen and Nora of Nora Cooks. They are awesome. I admire them both for their recipes and their gorgeous photography. But I’m not including them among the five today.

I’m sure I’ll be wishing one of these wonderful women was supplying the recipes for the catered IWD event I’m attending this morning. I’m going to provide links to these sites, which are diverse in their range of offerings and have great photos. I won’t say a ton beyond the link, a short overview, and a more specific link to a recipe or two that I have not yet tried but that looks good to me.

Vegan Richa is a recent discovery of mine, when I stumbled upon it while browsing around one day. In addition to the website, Richa has published a number of cookbooks. Many of the recipes are inspired by Richa’s Indian upbringing. I plan to try her Tofu Pepper Fry (South Indian Black Pepper Curry) and the Triple Ginger Vegan Gingerbread Cake. The recipes look easy to follow and her photography is truly inspired, making the dishes look mouth-watering and delicious.

I first learned about Hot for Food from one of my running friends, who is related Lauren Toyota, the successful YouTuber, blogger, and cookbook author behind the site. Her specialty is vegan versions of comfort foods. I’ve been on a caramelized onion hummus kick lately, so I’d like to try her caramelized onion dip. I’m also a huge fan of pearl couscous and argula, so I think I will give her warm orange couscous salad a go sometime over the next few weeks, as soon as I can get my hands on some pearl couscous.

From My Bowl came to my attention first on Instagram. Caitlin’s IG has great reels, of that kind where you get a quick rundown of each recipe step and then it ends (or sometimes begins) with the person savouring a bite of the dish. Lots of people do it. It always impresses me. As I write this a yummy looking strawberry overnight oats recipe is at the top of her Instagram reels. I’d also like to try making her Sesame Tofu, which I’ve made a modified version of in the past. Caitlin’s reels and photos are excellent and make me want to try everything she posts. Yes, she has a cookbook.

Sweet Potato Soul is where Jenné Claiborne, also an author of cookbooks, offers recipes that include, but go way beyond, the soul food of her childhood. Of all the things to jump out at me on first look, the Perfect Oat Flour Pancakes were it. After that it’s a toss-up between the Sweet Potato Biscuits and the Chili Lime-Glazed Sweet Potatoes.

For our Canadian shout-out, I’ve selected Running on Real Food, where Deryn from Vancouver promises simple and healthy vegan recipes and great photography. I’m going to start with dessert here: 4-Ingredient Easy Vegan Coconut Macaroons. I had only to look at the photo. And because I always have chickpeas and cauliflower in the house and I love curries, I’m going to try her Easy Cauliflower Chickpea Curry.

Here’s to these women who are making it easier to be vegan with their wonderful recipes. I also find their photography seriously inspiring, and will be working on upping my still life and food photography game over the next few months.

Happy International Women’s Day and Bon Appétit!