This Week: Holiday Cookies!
- In This Issue:
- Recipe Spotlight |
- What's Hot on VegWeb |
- Cooking with Webmistress Laura |
- Superstar VegWebber |
- Weekly Giveaway!
Christmas cookies, fit for Santa!
Recipe Spotlight on Cookies!
It's crunch time. We're approaching the last days of pre-Christmas shopping and people are starting to panic. I was out amongst the crowds yesterday, and it wasn't pretty. People are trampling their friends for the last Snuggie at Walgreens. Do not be that person. I beg of you. You're better than that. This year, instead of a bottle of lotion or another ugly sweater, why not give the gift of cookies? I'm telling you, people love cookies. It's probably our most popular recipe category. No, seriously, check it out–we've got roughly a million cookie recipes. Well, maybe not a million but really close (if you're not good at math). Whether you need something to leave by the fire for Santa or to give to the family member who already has everything, you can't go wrong with cookies. Plus, you'll be home baking in a warm, delicious smelling kitchen while the rest of the suckers are out there beating each other up for a beanie baby. Are those still around?
Check out some more of my favorite cookie recipes on VegWeb:
What's Hot on VegWeb
The Perfect Last Minute Gift! That isn't a cookie? Might I suggest a subscription to VegNews Magazine? The premier magazine to focus on a vegetarian lifestyle, VegNews is filled with delicious vegan recipes, the latest veggie news, vacation ideas, intriguing interviews, and so much more. Also, the vegan wedding issue is worth the price of subscription alone; I want to go to all of them! Oh, and did I mention it's on sale? Because it totally is. Get yours (and one for a friend!) today!
VegWeb Holiday Headquarters! We've been adding even more fabulous recipes, giveaways, and links to our Holiday Page! From Christmas and Hanukkah to Kwanzaa and Festivus, we've got the goods to make this year the best one yet. Come enjoy your veg holiday in fabulous vegan style with VegWeb.
Eating with Omnis Not very many of us are lucky enough to have an all veg family. In fact, the majority of veggies have to break bread with meat eaters on the regular. It can be particularly difficult over the holidays, when familial tensions are high. Talk about how to tackle dining with the whole crew in holiday meals with non-vegan fam.
Tom Cruise? Or was it Keanu? If all this holiday talk is too much, let's cut out and talk about how dreamy Rob Lowe used to be. Or still is. Maybe that's just me? But I digress. Trying to remember your first famous-person crush can be the perfect anecdote to holiday stress. Come see who VegWebbers were crushing on back in the day (Tony Danza, anyone?) and admit to your own in Celebrity Crushes.
Belated Xmas? If you're always on the late side or won't be seeing family and friends until after Christmas, you still have time to order goodies from the VegNews Store. It's overflowing with more awesome stuff than I can possibly list here, including the most freaking adorable holiday cards I've ever seen (complete with a recipe for soy nog tucked inside). They've also got chocolate marzipan bars, a holiday cookie cookbook, oversized tote bags, and my favorite, VEGAN MARSHMALLOWS! Best part? Shipping is always FREE! There is no word in the English language I enjoy more. Go check it out NOW!More holiday shopping! We've got the greatest store filled with goodies to display your VegWeb pride. Perfect for the food-obsessed vegan in your life. Um, that would be every vegan in your life. From soft, organic cotton shirts to super handy aprons, you have to check out all the goodies immediately at The VegWeb Store.
Check out our Monday Night Chats! Every Monday from 6–7pm PST, head to the chat room for discussions ranging from vegetarian travel to cooking tips. This week (December 28), we'll be talking New Year's Eve plans! From the best NYE party eats to drinks, we'll talk about everything you need to celebrate the new year in style. Bring your thoughts, tips, advice, and more to the VegWeb Chat Room.Do you tweet? Well, I do! I'm crazy about Twitter. More specifically, I'm crazy about twittering deals, recipes, giveaways, and the latest and greatest news from the VegWeb HQ. Follow me on my VegWeb Twitter.
Marvelous Mexican Wedding Cookies!
Cooking with Webmistress Laura!
By the time you're reading this newsletter, my kitchen will have already turned into a cookie-making factory. Get ready, friends and family who are reading this. I think you know what you're getting. And it's not a million dollars. Sorry! But really, who needs a million dollars when you could have an adorable package of Mexican Wedding Cookies? Or do you prefer Russian Tea Cakes? I even have a friend who just calls them "Nutballs." Hehe. Whatever you name them, they are equally fantastic. Delicious, simple, and the ingredients are pretty cheap. Oh wait, Family Member, I mispoke. These are ridiculously complicated and extremely costly. This is how much I love you.
What You Need:
1 cup margarine (I like Earth Balance)
1/2 cup white sugar
1-1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon almond extract
2 teaspoons water
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 cup walnuts or almonds, finely chopped
Pinch of salt
1 cup powdered sugar
What You Do:
1. Preheat oven to 325 degrees.
2. In a large bowl, combine the margarine and sugar. Stir in vanilla, almond extract, and water. Add flour, walnuts, and salt and mix until combined.
3. Roll into balls and place on an ungreased cookie sheet. Cook for 30 to 35 minutes. Remove from pan to cool. When cookies are cool, roll in powdered sugar. Wrap in adorable packaging and give to grateful family members. Congratulations, you are the world's greatest gift giver!
Superstar VegWebber!
Each week, we'll highlight a member of the VegWeb community who goes above and beyond to make VegWeb a truly excellent place to spend time on the internet.
This week, "yabbitgirl!"
VegWebber since? 2005 (lurker) or 2006 (poster)
Where do you call home? Southern Spain, although I've learned that "home" comes from within.
Favorite VegWeb recipe for the holidays? Yummy Nut Roast. It is soooo rich but so delicious, and it freezes well. A little veg*n gravy and you're good to go.
Any New Years' Resolutions? Not to let the tyranny of the urgent displace what is truly important. Therefore, to make more time to study things that interest me, and write.
French fries or ice cream? French fries. Or rather, Spanish fries (did you know that French fries were invented in Belgium?).
Read yabbitgirls's entire interview and tell her how awesome she is in the Superstar VegWebber thread!
Weekly Giveaway: Wallet from The Vegan Collection!
Ask any vegan how easy it is to find a stylish, non-leather wallet, and you'll likely get a groan. You'll probably find us giving up and making our own out of duct tape, which is unfortunate because this does nothing for the vegan image. Other than make us look a little crazy. However, recently, a plethora of cute vegan wallets have started to emerge. We happened to get our hot little hands on an awesome vegan wallet fit for even the most cooler-than-thou vegan dude. The Vegan Collection Bi-fold wallet is handsome, practical, and an excellent replacement for the thing that's falling apart in his front pocket. To win one, just head over to our Weekly Giveaway Thread and let us know what your favorite vegan holiday cookie is!
Good luck!
Peace in your kitchen,
Webmistress Laura
VegWeb.com
San Francisco, CA