This giveaway is now closed.
Thank you.
May I introduce you to the wonderful cookbook: Culinary Creativity by Dawn Allen (who authors the blog Cuter Than Gluten). Let me tell you what this cookbook is all about here right off the bat and what you'll find. All 110 recipes found in this cookbook are gluten free, dairy free, cane-sugar free, soy free, baker's yeast free, and nightshade free (and 105 of the recipes can be corn free). Oh yes, that's right. Dawn has created an amazing cookbook for those of us who eat an alternative diet AND for those of us who love amazing food. I don't know if there is another cookbook out there like this? Let me tell you, I'm so glad Dawn came along and created one.
THANK YOU DAWN!
Okay, let's get started. Below you'll find the many recipes I've made from this cookbook. I didn't plan on making so many, but they all looked so delicious, easy and with very few ingredients. I've already adopted many of her recipes into my weekly dinner, lunch, and snack rotation. Her cookbook also includes a bunch of delectable desserts, but I am always desperate for lunch and dinner ideas. So I focused on these recipes.
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First, here are just a few reasons why I love this cookbook:
1. Every single page is in COLOR
(I just love that).
(I just love that).
2. Each recipe comes with a picture (also love that).
3. Every recipe has full nutritional content (listed in the back in Appendix II) - so you know the calories, fat, fiber, sugar, etc., of each recipe (that's pretty awesome).
4. Each recipe comes with notes or fun stories about Dawn's travels and culinary inspirations.
5. The recipes are easy to make and the instructions are easy to follow and every page is nicely organized. It's compact and easy to handle.
6. BENTO LUNCHES!! Dawn dedicated 29 full pages to Bento lunches with 32 incredibly inspiring ideas (from leftovers)!
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Okay on to the recipes...
The first recipe I made was a red sauce. It's Dawn's version of a pasta sauce (made with beets). I'll admit, I was skeptical of this recipe as I'm such a huge tomato sauce lover. But let me tell you, it's amazing. I was astounded by the flavor. And my kids LOVED it too. They both asked for seconds of the "pink pasta." Even my husband was surprised by how much it tasted like a tomato based sauce. There is just a slight hit of beet. This recipe was huge for me, as I've come to realize nightshades really irritate my digestion and contribute to inflammation. I've been feeling great since following Dawn's nightshade free recipes!
Red Sauce (page 118)
vegan, gluten free, dairy free
*
Here I've made another three separate recipes into one dinner. The baked beans are flavorful and hearty, the cabbage is sweet and tart, and the pesto chicken burger is moist and the pesto is balanced perfectly. I think the pesto burger is just so smart. These three recipes and the above recipes are in my weekly dinner rotation.
Stovetop "Baked" Beans (page 96)
Sweet and Sour Red Cabbage (page 98)
Pesto Chicken Burger (page 87)
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And finally, some fun snacks. I was very interested in the almond "cheese" recipe from the getgo. It was very easy to make. It has a slightly spongy texture (at least mine did, and I think this is from the agar agar). It has a nice smokey flavor and is just delightful on the crackers (that I made with 3 times more garlic that the recipe called for). The crackers have 7 ingredients and you can add so many different herbs and flavors. They are made with a garbanzo/fava bean flour. My son really enjoyed these with the "cheese."
Crackers (page 168)
Almond Cheese (page 115)
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Dal (page 93)
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Shared on: Fat Tuesdays, Allergy-Free Wednesdays,
Okay on to the recipes...
The first recipe I made was a red sauce. It's Dawn's version of a pasta sauce (made with beets). I'll admit, I was skeptical of this recipe as I'm such a huge tomato sauce lover. But let me tell you, it's amazing. I was astounded by the flavor. And my kids LOVED it too. They both asked for seconds of the "pink pasta." Even my husband was surprised by how much it tasted like a tomato based sauce. There is just a slight hit of beet. This recipe was huge for me, as I've come to realize nightshades really irritate my digestion and contribute to inflammation. I've been feeling great since following Dawn's nightshade free recipes!
Red Sauce (page 118)
vegan, gluten free, dairy free
*
This dinner knocked my socks off. Pictured are three separate recipes I made for dinner one night. Dal, rice and seeds with tahini dressing, and balsamic chicken. The dal is my FAVORITE recipe. I've made it several times. Dawn has generously allowed me to share one of her recipes with you, and I chose this one (see end of post). It's a great example of her recipes: easy, few ingredients, and full of flavor. The rice and seeds are also a family favorite.
Dal (page 93)
Rice and Seeds (page 103)
Balsamic Chicken (page 82)
Here I've made another three separate recipes into one dinner. The baked beans are flavorful and hearty, the cabbage is sweet and tart, and the pesto chicken burger is moist and the pesto is balanced perfectly. I think the pesto burger is just so smart. These three recipes and the above recipes are in my weekly dinner rotation.
Stovetop "Baked" Beans (page 96)
Sweet and Sour Red Cabbage (page 98)
Pesto Chicken Burger (page 87)
*
I made this soup for lunch one weekend and my kids LOVED it. It's a delicious creamy black bean soup just bursting with flavor. Another family favorite right here.
Black Bean Soup (page 42)
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Another winner lunch!
Two of Dawn's recipes are featured here: fast fusilli and ginger roasted beets served with steamed peas. The pasta recipe calls for umeboshi vinegar which I have used before but didn't have any on hand. So I added 1/2 teaspoon of ACV, extra oil, and some garlic/onion granules. Really great flavor (and, this recipe only has 5 ingredients - talk about fast, easy pasta). And the beets, oh the beets, so delicious. We are huge beet lovers, especially my son and everyone just loved this recipe. What a successful and healthy lunch.
Fast Fusilli (page 48)
Ginger Roasted Beets (page 92)
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My husband is currently learning how to cook and so for dinner one night he made one of Dawn's recipes: Sesame chicken with broccoli. It. Is. Amazing. Seriously, Scott felt very confident while making the recipe and commented that the instructions were easy to follow. I think he was shocked at how great it tasted (like, did I just make this crazy good dinner). I was very proud of him.
Sesame Chicken with Broccoli (page 86)
And finally, some fun snacks. I was very interested in the almond "cheese" recipe from the getgo. It was very easy to make. It has a slightly spongy texture (at least mine did, and I think this is from the agar agar). It has a nice smokey flavor and is just delightful on the crackers (that I made with 3 times more garlic that the recipe called for). The crackers have 7 ingredients and you can add so many different herbs and flavors. They are made with a garbanzo/fava bean flour. My son really enjoyed these with the "cheese."
Crackers (page 168)
Almond Cheese (page 115)
*
I've made several other recipes from the cookbook, including breakfast recipes and a few desserts. Everything has turned out delicious. And so many more are bookmarked.
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The Giveaway
I am giving away 1 copy of Dawn's awesome cookbook. And as a thank you to Dawn for sending me my own copy to review, I am throwing in 2 other goodies with the giveaway: 1 bag of organic raw cacao powder and 1 box of Ancient Harvest quinoa flakes. These are two ingredients you will see often in her recipes.
To Enter
You have 3 chances to win. Please leave 3 separate comments for each action. Giveaway closes on Saturday, October 6th. Winners will be announced on Sunday October 7th. The winner will be chosen at random from random.org. Only US entries please. Cannot be shipped to PO Box. I advise all participants to subscribe to my blog so you will receive posts via email and the winner announcement. Winners will have 72 hours to claim their prize.
Please leave a separate comment for each of these actions to be entered to win 3 times:
1. Share this giveaway on your Facebook page and leave a comment telling you did so
(I will check for authenticity)
2. "Like" Cuter Than Gluten on her Facebook page and leave a comment telling you did so
3. Leave a comment sharing your food restrictions (gluten free, dairy free, soy free, yeast free, nightshade free, corn free, grain free, vegan, sugar free, etc).
Dal (page 93)
(1 hour 30 minutes) 4 cups
Ingredients:
-1 1/2 cups dried yellow split peas
-3 1/2 cups water
-1 1/2 teaspoons turmeric (divided)
-3/4 teaspoon salt
-2 tablespoons oil
-1 large onion finely chopped
-2 cloves garlic (I use 1 2 teaspoons garlic granuels)
-1/2 teaspoons ground cumin
-1/2 cup coconut milk
-1/2 teaspoon ground pepper
How To:
1. In a large pot, combine the peas, water, 1 teaspoon turmeric, and salt. Cover and cook on low for 90 minutes until the peas are tender.
2. Meanwhile, heat the oil in a large skillet on med/low and saute the onions until translucent (about 15 minutes). Add the garlic, 1/2 teaspoon turmeric, cumin, and ground pepper. Stir for a few minutes. Add in the coconut milk to deglaze the pan.
3. When the peas are done, add the onion mixture to the peas. The dal should be the texture of thick chilli. It will thicken as it cools (quite a bit).
4. Serve warm with rice and curries, or enjoy as a thick soup.
Nutritional Information:
-Serves 6
-2/3 cup per serving
-272 calories
-Fat 9 g
-Saturated fat 4 g
-Cholesterol 0 g
-Sodium 303 mg
-Carbohydrates 36 g
-Fiber 5 g
-Sugar 4 g
-Protein 13 g
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Where To Buy This Book
If you want to purchase your own copy of Culinary Creativity, visit Dawn's store HERE and purchase your copy today. This would make an excellent Holiday gift for a friend or family member.
Dawn is offering 15% off your total order until October 5th.
Use promotion code: amber0924
Get your copy of Culinary Creativity today and...
"Let your Restrictions Set You Free."
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All opinions about this cookbook are my own. I was not paid for this review. Dawn sent me a copy to try with no obligation to review. Simply put, this cookbook rocks!
Shared on: Fat Tuesdays, Allergy-Free Wednesdays,
I am vegan, so I don't use meat, dairy, or eggs, so sometimes that limits my recipes.
ReplyDeleteHi, there are about 80 recipes in the book that are vegan or can be vegan (with a simple honey substitution.) - From the author
DeleteI shared the giveaway on facebook!
ReplyDeleteI like cuter than gluten on facebook. :)
ReplyDeleteHi,
ReplyDeleteI like Cuter than Gluten Facebook page.
[email protected]
And my diet/food choice (not a restriction, lol) is: that I only eat plants: (vegan). sometimes gluten free, because of the diversity flours are awesome!
ReplyDelete[email protected]
I am an aspiring vegan, vegetarian already, and try to watch our gluten consumption....new recipes are always helpful and fun to explore!
ReplyDeleteI shared on my facebook page.
ReplyDeleteI liked cuter than gluten on facebook
ReplyDeleteI have never heard of Dawn OR this book until just now - I'm so happy you introduced me to it!
ReplyDeleteI just shared this post on my FB page. :)
I now "like" Cuter Than Gluten on FB.
ReplyDeleteAnd finally, my restrictions are that I'm meat-free, mostly-dairy-free, usually-egg-free, and trying-to-stay-gluten-free. :P
ReplyDeleteI'm Vegan!
ReplyDeletegluten free
ReplyDeletegkuroda at hawaii dot edu
My restrictions are my husband's restrictions: no nightshades, no soy, no gluten, no dairy, no corn....
ReplyDeleteMostly the restrictions are dairy and gluten; soy is tolerated, but we try to avoid it. I'm a vegetarian and my son has nut allergies.
ReplyDeleteOh, and nightshades are limited for me
DeleteLiked Cuter Than Gluten....always looking for new recipes!
ReplyDeleteShared the giveaway post, book sounds fab! :-)
ReplyDeleteI try to be soy free!
ReplyDeleteLiked the Facebook page!
ReplyDeleteI shared this on facebook.
ReplyDeleteI liked the facebook page!
ReplyDeleteWe are egg free, nut free, and try to be gluten and soy free.
ReplyDeleteI've shared link on my Facebook page
ReplyDeleteThx Diane D.
I've liked Facebook page
ReplyDeleteThx
I have a soy free diet and looking into a gluten free diet. Thx Diane D.
ReplyDeleteI've "liked" on FB; I've "shared" on FB; and now I can actually comment on the site!!! Pick me! Pick me!!!
ReplyDeleteI have more dietary restrictions than I can count on all 10 of my fingers, but that's okay! I actually don't call my diet "restricted" and I don't think of myself as limited...instead, I'm grateful! If it weren't for my food allergies and sensitivities, I wouldn't have discovered all of these fun and unique foods that I now get to eat...like quinoa! :)
ReplyDeleteFoods I don't/can't eat: gluten, dairy, soy, sugar, fillers and gums (like xanthan and guar gum), legumes, nuts (aside from almonds!), nightshades (tomatoes, potatoes, eggplant, peppers), onion, garlic, citrusm eggs, and shellfish. That about does it!
I shared on my personal facebook page!
ReplyDeleteand I "liked" cuter than gluten!
ReplyDeleteShared on Facebook!
ReplyDeleteLiked the page on facebook! I could have sworn I had already liked it a while back...
ReplyDeleteRestrictions: Gluten, dairy, eggs... vegan-ish.
ReplyDeleteI have celiac and I am gluten-free, corn free, at times dairy free. I avoid lentils due to gastric distress. I try to use unrefined sugars.
ReplyDeleteSo good to have found you on FB! I Like ;-)
ReplyDeleteShared the giveaway, too!
ReplyDeletegluten free and vegan (xgfx) and sugar free
ReplyDeleteliked your FB page
ReplyDeleteAwesome cookbook!! I have celiac so I have to eat gluten free but also find that I feel better when I steer clear of dairy And refined sugar as well- thanks!
ReplyDeleteI'm vegetarian and I limit my sugar intake. My sister's dairy-free, so we have to find recipes to suit us both.
ReplyDeleteI liked Dawn's facebook page!
ReplyDeleteTeresa
Our sensitivities are just gluten now, which is down from about 15 additional ones 2 years ago. Hooray! But we definitely steer clear of refined sugars and the like.
ReplyDeleteTeresa
I am a gluten free vegetarian who eats little dairy. I would buy the cookbook just to find out how to make those yummy looking onion rings.
ReplyDeleteI shared this yummy cookbook review on my FB page.
ReplyDeleteI liked Cuter than Gluten on her FB page. Yeah, I'm in the contest!
ReplyDeleteYou are so kind to offer such a great giveaway! I am always looking for ideas on how to eat on a vegan, gluten-free diet, plus I just LOVE reading cookbooks!
ReplyDeleteI liked cuter than gluten page on FB :)
ReplyDeleteI am raw vegan, gluten free.
ReplyDeleteI liked Cuter than Gluten, and I shared the giveaway on my FB! Our restrictions (due to my son's eosinophilic esophagitis) are: wheat, dairy, egg, soy, rice, oat, beef, pork, and chicken. This cookbook looks amazing, thank you for sharing it. If I don't win I'll ask Santa for a copy! :p
ReplyDeleteI posted the giveaway on my facebook page.
ReplyDeleteI liked Cuter Than Gluten.
ReplyDeleteMy dietary restrictions include gluten-free, grain-free, dairy-free, and sugar-free.
ReplyDeleteLove to use raw cacao and I entered the giveaway on Facebook to let my friends know!
ReplyDeleteMy restrictions are all food except GAPS- meat, veggies, fat.
ReplyDeleteI just liked the cuter than gluten page on FB!
ReplyDeleteOur food restrictions follow SCD - no grains, sugars, lactose, etc...
ReplyDeleteI shared the giveaway on my facebook page!
ReplyDeleteI liked Cuter Than Gluten's facebook page!
ReplyDeleteWe are all gluten free, refined sugar free, soy free and yeast free. Some of us are also dairy free.
ReplyDeleteI like the tasty alternative on Facebook.
ReplyDeleteI liked cuter than gluten on face book.
ReplyDeleteOur food restrictions are: dairy, soy, gluten all nuts but almonds, all seeds, night shades, bananas and citrus! Yep, crazy! Oh how I would love a cook book that is free of many of these foods! Thanks for the chance to win!
ReplyDeleteI eat gluten free and should be eating dairy free but I can't give it up yet.
ReplyDeleteI like Cuter Than Gluten on fb.
ReplyDeletemy family is dairy and egg free.
ReplyDeleteWe are sensitive to wheat, most dairy, corn, soy, and tomatoes.
ReplyDeleteI liked cuter then gluten on Facebook
ReplyDeleteWe are sensitive to wheat, most dairy, corn, soy, and tomatoes.
ReplyDeletewhat a great cookbook! it's going to help so many people. the recipes look amazing!
ReplyDeleteWhat an awesome review! Our daughter is gluten intolerant, lactose intolerant but we stick with a grain free, mostly casein free diet. She also cant tolerate soy.
ReplyDeleteCrossing fingers!
Jen
Your review was incredible Amber! Well done! This cookbook looks absolutely fantastic and I am digging the dal recipe.
ReplyDeleteI liked her on facebook. Mary [email protected]
ReplyDeleteMy family is soy free, gluten free and dairy free. [email protected] Mary
ReplyDeletei liked her on fb
ReplyDeletekatherinedibello (at) gmail (dot) com
I am soy-free, vegan, dairy-free, sugar-free, nut-free, and gluten-free
ReplyDeletekatherinedibello (at) gmail (dot) com
Hi Amber! We miss you guys so much! I don't have food restrictions, but several dear friends do & I'd love to be able to make nourishing food for you all : ) Sounds like this cookbook would be a great way to do that!
ReplyDeleteShred on fb
ReplyDeletehttps://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=366885096723881&id=632720947&_rdr
Liked cuter than gluten fb page.
ReplyDeleteLow carb.
ReplyDeleteI liked CTG on Facebook.
ReplyDeleteI am casein & gluten free along with my son who has Celiac. Would love this book.
ReplyDeleteWhile I'm not 100% vegetarian, I do strive to be as close to that as possible. I'd like to eventually go completely vegan, but I can't put down the cheese! (: Thanks for the great giveaway!
ReplyDeleteI eat a gluten free diet. Maybe with some of these great recipes I can get the rest of my family to follow along.
ReplyDeleteMy husband and I avoid refined sugars also.
I liked 'Cuter Than Gluten' on Facebook.
ReplyDeleteI liked Cuter Than Gluten on Facebook.
ReplyDeleteI eat a mostly gluten free diet but include some traditionally prepared wheat items. I am yeast free and refined sugar free though.
ReplyDeleteWe are gluten-free and dairy-free. I should be nightshade free, and we're working towards sugar-free.
ReplyDeleteSugar Free, egg Free, dairy free - The book looks so awesome! If I don't win, it is going on my Christmas list for sure!
ReplyDeleteI liked Cuter than Gluten on Facebook. Karibeth Myers Soto
ReplyDeleteI shared this on Facebook. Karibeth Myers Soto
ReplyDeleteWe are gluten, dairy, egg, soy, corn, legume, shellfish, cranberry, nut, and nightshade free. My poor boy has lots of allergies!
ReplyDeleteI have celiac so I eat gluten free and also try to eat sugar and dairy free as much as possible
ReplyDeleteAlex C
I liked Cuter than Gluten on Facebook.
ReplyDeleteLove this book...just friended them on Facebook and posted the giveaway to my Facebook page under my name: Valerie Johns. I am gluten-free, mostly sugar free and have not eaten meat in 42 years...ta-da!
ReplyDeleteHi Valerie. Thanks for stopping by, but this giveaway ended on October 6th! So sorry.
Delete