Nov

Giveaway: How to Cook Without a Book Meatless Meals

by Amber on November 28, 2011

Today marks a week of cookbook giveaways on Bluebonnets & Brownies. Just in time for holiday gift giving, the three books I’ll share with you are all books I’m giving to friends this holiday season. Check back on Wednesday and Friday for two more fabulous cookbooks!

I’m starting the week off with Pam Anderson’s newest book. It’s no surprise that I’m probably Pam Anderson’s biggest fan. Long before I knew her or her daughters personally, I had been given Pam’s book, “Perfect Recipes for Having People Over” by my boss in a Christmas Secret Santa exchange.

Later, my boss would introduce me to Maggy, Pam’s daughter. It’s kind of a thing that happens when Americans end up in England. The Brits throw the Americans together, assuming that we’ll automatically like each other. Luckily for both Maggy and me, we did!

All this was long before we were food bloggers, but I do credit Pam for leading me into a passion about food. Pam’s books changed how I cooked. They helped me understand the techniques behind cooking. And if you’ve ever met the woman yourself? It’s impossible not to love her.

When Maggy announced on Twitter that Pam’s newest book was up for pre-sale, I think I was the first person to order it. Listen, friend or not, Pam is an excellent cook book writer. I will always have her newest books on my shelf, because they are always inspiring.

Pam’s book, “How to Cook Without A Book” was the first thing I chose to ever give away here on Bluebonnets & Brownies, because I use it all the time.

To this day, I think it has the most perfect and complete pantry staples list I’ve ever seen. And it gives those that are afraid to cook a real foothold on flavors and combinations so that they CAN experiment after getting down the basics.

“How to Cook Without A Book: Meatless Meals” is no exception. Pam moves you beyond the pasta and scrambled eggs to create some really spectacular formulas that you can use on both your meatless and meat-filled days.

Image Courtesy of Amazon.com

I think that’s probably my favorite thing about this book. While the focus is on really fantastic recipes that you can use every day in a meatless fashion, this is an every day cookbook. Any of these formulas are also fantastic on days when you ARE eating meat. Not that you’ll even miss it. The recipes are that good.

My favorite recipe out of the book so far is for the breakfast pizzas. Sweet or savory, you can’t go wrong.

I made Pam’s formula for apple, cinnamon, and hazelnut fruit breakfast pizzas. Because I am addicted to maple sugar, I also added a little of that in. Magnificent, I tell you!

Breakfast Fruit Pizza

Adapted from Pam Anderson’s How to Cook Without A Book: Meatless Meals
Makes 4 Personal-sized Pizzas

Ingredients

For the Dough

1/4 cup warm water and 1/2 cup plus 2 tablespoons tepid water
1 teaspoon active dry yeast
1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
2 cups bread flour
1 teaspoon kosher salt

To top the pizza

2 large Honey Crisp (or your favorite) apples, cored and diced into chunks
1/2 cup Neufchatel Cheese
1 tablespoon of Honey
1 tablespoon of Maple Sugar
1/2 cup toasted hazelnuts, chopped

Directions

For the Dough

Place the 1/4 cup warm water in a 1 cup measuring jug. Add the yeast to the water and whisk to combine. Let it stand until the yeast dissolves and expands, about 5 minutes.

Add the remaining water (1/2 cup plus 2 tablespoons) and 1 teaspoon of olive oil. Whisk again to combine.

In a large bowl, whisk together flour and salt. Pour the liquid mixture over the flour and use either a wooden spoon or dough whisk to combine.

When you have a shaggy mass, turn the dough out onto a floured surface. Knead the dough by first folding towards you, then pushing out away from you with the heal of your hands. Turn the dough one quarter turn clockwise, then fold and push again. Continue doing this until the dough feels satiny and is easily formed into a smooth ball.

Spray a medium sized clean bowl with cooking spray, then place the dough ball in it. Cover the dough ball with plastic wrap, pushing it down around the dough ball itself. Place the bowl in a warm area and allow to rise until it is doubled in size. I had been baking earlier in the day, so this only took an hour. If your room is cooler, it can take 2-3.

Once the dough is doubled in size, remove it from the bowl to a floured surface. Using a metal scraper or knife, cut the dough into equal halves, and then half again to make 4 pizza rounds. Stretch the dough into oblong shapes.

At this point, you can make all four pizzas, or freeze the remaining dough, separated by parchment paper, in a gallon sized freezer bag.

Preheat the oven to 500F.

For the pizza topping

Microwave the Neufchatel cream cheese for 15 seconds.

Mix the cheese, honey, maple sugar, and cinnamon together in a bowl. If needed, roast the hazelnuts in the preheating oven.

When the oven is preheated and the pizza dough is in place on a parchment-lined baking tray or pizza stone, spread the cheese mixture onto the top of the dough. This is your “sauce”.

Core the apples, and then dice into 1″ pieces. Layer on top of the cream cheese as you would any pizza. Then sprinkle on the chopped hazelnuts. I sprinkled on additional cinnamon sugar and maple sugar, but this is optional.

Bake for 10-15 minutes, until the crust is golden brown.

Allow to cool slightly and then enjoy with a light roast coffee and the newspaper. Those last two ingredients are optional, but highly recommended.

Want to win Pam’s fabulous new book, just in time for the holidays?

How you win:

{Required Entry}
Leave a comment below. Tell me why you’re excited to receive Pam Anderson’s How to Cook Without a Book: Meatless Meals. If you’re planning to give it on as a gift, tell me why.

Who wants bonus entries?!

For each item below that you do, you will get one extra chance to win. If you already do any of these items, they DO count. You MUST leave a separate comment for each item. If you leave one cumulative comment, it will only count as one extra entry.

1. Like Three Many Cooks on Facebook.
2. Like Bluebonnets & Brownies on Facebook.
3. Follow @threemanycooks, @PamAnderson3MC and @BluebonnetBaker on Twitter and tweet the following. Then come back and leave a comment that you did so.

I want to win How to Cook Without a Book: Meatless Meals from @threemanycooks @PamAnderson3MC and @BluebonnetBaker! http://su.pr/1ovqyy

4. Subscribe to Bluebonnets & Brownies email updates. When you click the link, you will see “Get Bluebonnets & Brownies Delivered By Email.” Once you subscribe to the email updates, you will get an emailing confirming your subscription. Leave a comment after you’ve confirmed your subscription.

Important Details:

-This giveaway is open to USA and Canadian residents only and will run until Monday, December 5th at 11:59 pm EST.
-Winner(s) will be generated via a random number generator software program. Winner will be notified via the contact email provided on the comment contact form.
-Winner(s) will have until 12/7/11 to claim their cookbook or we will choose another winner.
-Winner will receive one copy of How to Cook Without a Book: Meatless Meals (Hardcopy){$32.50 MSRP}. Product will be shipped by Bluebonnets & Brownies.

Disclosure:

This giveaway is provided to you by Bluebonnets & Brownies. The views and opinions expressed by Amber Bracegirdle on Bluebonnets & Brownies are my own, and based upon my cooking experiences with Pam Anderson’s How to Cook Without a Book: Meatless Meals. I was given the product free of charge to test and review it; however, I was not monetarily compensated for the review or giveaway. I purchased the giveaway copy myself.

Martha November 28, 2011 at 1:14 PM: I would love her book because I usually spend a long time google-ing/reading trying to figure out how to make stuff, but it’d be awesome to learn how to cook without a book! I’m sure I’d be way more creative, too.
Mike November 28, 2011 at 1:16 PM: I’d love to have the cookbook; even though I do eat meat, I’ve been trying to eat less of it and more vegetables.
helga November 28, 2011 at 1:17 PM: i too love pam anderson’s cookbooks…..her baking advice is right on the money!
helga November 28, 2011 at 1:17 PM: i already like bluebonnets and brownies on facebook!
Mike November 28, 2011 at 1:17 PM: I follow B&B on Facebook.
helga November 28, 2011 at 1:18 PM: i already receive bluebonnets and brownies email blog….love it!!
helga November 28, 2011 at 1:19 PM: i just liked ‘three many cooks’ on facebook….yippee!!!
Katrina November 28, 2011 at 1:27 PM: This recipe is lovely! I really like that Pam Anderson book too! There are so many yummy things in there :)
Tara @ Chip Chip Hooray November 28, 2011 at 2:01 PM: I’d be excited to receive the book because I got the chance to meet Pam recently (at Pie Party Live!) and it was her daughter (the same Maggy) and you, of course, Amber, who made me stop being afraid to blog. :)
Tara @ Chip Chip Hooray November 28, 2011 at 2:02 PM: I am a liker of Three Many Cooks on Facebook.
Tara @ Chip Chip Hooray November 28, 2011 at 2:03 PM: And I like Bluebonnets and Brownies on Facebook. :)
Tara @ Chip Chip Hooray November 28, 2011 at 2:04 PM: I follow all three of you on Twitter, and I just tweeted the giveaway (@chipchiphooray).
Tara @ Chip Chip Hooray November 28, 2011 at 2:05 PM: And I get your email updates. Whew!
Jenne November 28, 2011 at 2:10 PM: I would love this book cause I am trying to find recipes that are meatless that my family would like. It would be easier for me with my stomach issues not to have to make meat every night!
Jenne November 28, 2011 at 2:11 PM: I already liked Bluebonnets and Brownies on Facebook.
Jenne November 28, 2011 at 2:12 PM: I liked Three Many Cooks on Facebook
Jenne November 28, 2011 at 2:13 PM: Followed all three on Twitter and retweeted the giveaway!
Jenne November 28, 2011 at 2:13 PM: Already subscribed to your emails ;)
Julie @BananasForBourbon November 28, 2011 at 2:17 PM: I’m always looking for ways to go meatless! It just makes sense. :)
Julie @BananasForBourbon November 28, 2011 at 2:18 PM: I like B&B on facebook
Julie @BananasForBourbon November 28, 2011 at 2:19 PM: I like 3 many cooks on facebook
Julie @BananasForBourbon November 28, 2011 at 2:21 PM: I followed and tweeted!
Aimee Porter November 28, 2011 at 2:21 PM: I would love to win this book! My husband is a vegetarian and I am always looking for vegetarian recipes that he will enjoy:)
Aimee Porter November 28, 2011 at 2:22 PM: I like Bluebonnets & Brownies on Facebook:)
Aimee Porter November 28, 2011 at 2:27 PM: I followed and tweeted about the giveaway:)
Stephanie Pease November 28, 2011 at 2:43 PM: Looks really fun. I get a lot of veggies from our CSA in the summer and fall, and am always scrambling to find ways to use them. A meat-free cookbook will really help!
Stephanie Pease November 28, 2011 at 2:47 PM: Just liked Three Many Cooks on Facebook!
Stephanie Pease November 28, 2011 at 2:47 PM: Just liked Bluebonnets and Brownies on Facebook!
Stephanie Pease November 28, 2011 at 2:48 PM: Just followed and tweeted about @threemanycooks @PamAnderson3MC and @BluebonnetBaker!
Stephanie Pease November 28, 2011 at 2:49 PM: Just subscribed to Bluebonnets and Brownies e-mail updates!
Denise B November 28, 2011 at 3:06 PM: I would love to give this book to my friend Becky. She doesn’t eat meat and is always looking for new recipes to vary her menu.
Erin November 28, 2011 at 3:11 PM: I am excited for this cookbook because we LOVE trying new recipes. My hubby is a huge carnivore, but he has started to ask for meatless meals every so often!
Erin November 28, 2011 at 3:12 PM: I like Three Many Cooks on Facebook.
Erin November 28, 2011 at 3:13 PM: I like Bluebonnets & Brownies on Facebook.
Erin November 28, 2011 at 3:13 PM: I subscribe to your updates via email.
Joyce Mosby November 28, 2011 at 3:14 PM: I follow Three many Cooks on FB.
Joyce Mosby November 28, 2011 at 3:15 PM: I cook a lot of meatless meals . I would love to win this.
Joyce Mosby November 28, 2011 at 3:15 PM: I follow you on FB.
Kel November 28, 2011 at 3:44 PM: I would love to learn to cook more non-meat meals. thanks!
Scott Robertson November 28, 2011 at 3:58 PM: My daughter just celebrated her 3 year Vegiversary. This would be a perfect gift for her. While she’s and excellent cook and baker, she’s very picky about what she’ll eat. No tofu for her, thank you very much. I am praying that his book would open her up to a wider repartee of ideas and recipes.
Vaishali Sharda November 28, 2011 at 4:26 PM: We are a mostly vegetarian family so I am always looking for new meatless recipes. Would love to win this book for myself…:)
Denise O. November 28, 2011 at 4:27 PM: It’s on my bucket list to learn how to cook without a recipe so this book would help me immensely.
cherylK November 28, 2011 at 4:34 PM: I think I’d really use that book! I love improvising and this would be an awesome guide. The breakfast pizza would be right up my alley…love stuff like that. (BTW, I stopped by because of Shaina’s (@foodformyfamily ) retweet.)
Z.Grimm November 28, 2011 at 4:39 PM: This book would be a real help – I’m only just starting out meatless, and I don’t know how to cook!
Scott Robertson November 28, 2011 at 4:47 PM: I follow B&B on facebook
Scott Robertson November 28, 2011 at 4:50 PM: and I get the B&B emails which is how I found out about the great cookbook give away. (please oh please oh please oh please oh please oh please oh please oh please oh please oh please oh please oh please oh please oh please oh please oh please oh please oh please oh please oh please oh please oh please oh please oh please oh please oh please oh please oh please oh please oh please oh please oh please oh please oh please oh please oh please. Pretty please.) :-)
Bonnie K November 28, 2011 at 4:55 PM: I’m intrigued by the description of her cookbook: everyday cooking and meatless. I would love to check this out and add it among my collection of good cookbooks.
Bonnie K November 28, 2011 at 4:56 PM: I’ve liked Three Many Cooks on facebook.
Bonnie K November 28, 2011 at 4:58 PM: I’ve already liked Bluebonnets and Brownies on facebook.
DessertForTwo November 28, 2011 at 4:59 PM: I want this book! I’m so into her vegetarian meals! :)
Tricia November 28, 2011 at 5:00 PM: My daughter and I are vegetarians, while the men in my household are not. It would be great to have a go-to cookbook that all of us could use!
Bonnie K November 28, 2011 at 5:01 PM: I follow all three of you on twitter and tweeted about the giveaway. https://twitter.com/#!/grobiemum/status/141275203786391552
Denise O. November 28, 2011 at 5:01 PM: I’m following all 3 on twitter and tweeted @addicted2recipe
Tricia November 28, 2011 at 5:04 PM: I “follow” all three on Twitter.
DessertForTwo November 28, 2011 at 5:04 PM: I follow YOU on twitter, my dear :)
Bonnie K November 28, 2011 at 5:05 PM: I subscribe to Bluebonnets and Brownies by e-mail.
DessertForTwo November 28, 2011 at 5:05 PM: I follow Three many Cooks on twitter too :)
Tricia November 28, 2011 at 5:05 PM: I “like” Bluebonnets and Brownies on Facebook!
Tricia November 28, 2011 at 5:05 PM: I “like” Three Many Cooks on FB!
DessertForTwo November 28, 2011 at 5:34 PM: And now I follow PamAnderson3MC :)
Sylvie @ Gourmande in the Kitchen November 28, 2011 at 5:51 PM: I would love a copy of her book b/c I like the idea of cooking without being tied to a recipe and am always looking for more inspiration for my meatless meals.
Sylvie @ Gourmande in the Kitchen November 28, 2011 at 5:51 PM: I like you on Facebook!
Casey@Good. Food. Stories. November 28, 2011 at 7:18 PM: You could give me a piece of cardboard slathered in sweet neufchatel and I’d eat it. (In theory.)
Lisa D. November 28, 2011 at 7:41 PM: This cookbook looks great for incorporating more meatless dishes into our meals…thanks for the opportunity!
Kim November 28, 2011 at 8:46 PM: Great giveaway. I would really use this book
Liz @ Fresh Plate November 28, 2011 at 9:02 PM: i would love this cookbook.I usually put a meatless meal on my meal plan once a week and his cookbook could help me come up with great dinners!
Sue November 28, 2011 at 9:30 PM: I would love this cookbook! This breakfast pizza looks awesome & I am always looking to try new recipes!
Sue November 28, 2011 at 10:30 PM: Following @threemanycooks, @PamAnderson3MC and @BluebonnetBaker on Twitter!
Yvonne D November 28, 2011 at 10:56 PM: As a vegetarian, I need to improve my cooking. :)
Yvonne D November 28, 2011 at 10:57 PM: I like the Three Many Cooks on FB :)
Yvonne D November 28, 2011 at 10:58 PM: I follow Bluebonnets and brownies on FB. Thanks for posting the Fruit pizza! it looks delicious! :)
Yvonne D November 28, 2011 at 11:00 PM: I subscribe to your email. This is how I saw this post! :)
Desiree Parks November 28, 2011 at 11:33 PM: I would love a copy of her book because my husband and I are trying to do Meatless Mondays, but we’re tired of eating eggs, pasta, and rice. Please rescue us from Meatless Monday boredom
Desiree Parks November 28, 2011 at 11:35 PM: I liked 3 Many Cooks on Facebook!
Desiree Parks November 28, 2011 at 11:35 PM: I liked Bluebonnets and Brownies on Facebook
Desiree Parks November 28, 2011 at 11:35 PM: I already receive your e-emails
Natasha November 29, 2011 at 12:05 AM: I would love to receive Pam Anderson’s new book because I’m always looking for a new recipe to cook. Plus my family enjoys when I try new dishes; it spices up our basic dinners of chicken and spaghetti.
Natasha November 29, 2011 at 12:07 AM: I liked Three Many Cooks on Facebook.
Natasha November 29, 2011 at 12:08 AM: I liked Bluebonnets sn Brownies on Facebook.
Allison November 29, 2011 at 11:20 AM: I would love Pam Anderson’s book because I most usually cook without meat, but am constantly searching for recipes online. This books sounds like just what I need!
Tracy November 29, 2011 at 11:20 AM: Though I currently only have Pam’s cookbook for Perfect One-Dish Dinners, it’s one of my favorites. I’m looking to make more meatless meals, so I know I’d get a lot of use out of her new book!
Tracy November 29, 2011 at 11:21 AM: I like Three Many Cooks on Facebook.
Tracy November 29, 2011 at 11:22 AM: I like you on Facebook! :-)
Tracy November 29, 2011 at 11:23 AM: I follow everyone on Twitter and tweeted, too!
Delishhh November 29, 2011 at 3:23 PM: Just excited to get more different things on the list to make – awesome cookbook!
erin johnson November 29, 2011 at 7:13 PM: I like Three Many Cooks on Facebook.
erin johnson November 29, 2011 at 7:13 PM: I liked Bluebonnets sn Brownies on Facebook.
jeannette November 30, 2011 at 9:02 AM: i would love this book as i am deciding whether or not to go mostly vegetarian (i need my fish and sometimes chicken ;P). i just need that extra push. and who doesn’t love not needing a recipe??
jeannette November 30, 2011 at 9:03 AM: i like three many cooks on facebook
jeannette November 30, 2011 at 9:03 AM: i like bluebonnets and brownies on facebook
jeannette November 30, 2011 at 9:07 AM: i subscribe to email updates
Veronica @ Café con Leche November 30, 2011 at 10:09 AM: I just saw this cookbook the other day at Barnes and Nobles and stood in the middle of the store for 20 minutes paging through it! The recipes look fantastic….I would love to get this book because I have been a vegetarian for almost 2 years now and I am always on the lookout for delicious, meat-free meals to show my family and friends that meatless meals are yummy too!! and extra nutritious :)
Rachel Blom November 30, 2011 at 10:18 PM: I’m wanting to include a few more meatless meals in my menu and this book would help.
Rachel Blom November 30, 2011 at 10:22 PM: I like Three Many Cooks on FB.
Rachel Blom November 30, 2011 at 10:55 PM: I like Bluebonnets and Brownies on FB
Allison C November 30, 2011 at 11:12 PM: I’m a vegetarian so I’m always looking for new meatless recipes. Plus my hubby gets bored easily so I’m constantly trying new things and need lots of inspiration!
Allison C November 30, 2011 at 11:13 PM: I like you on FB
Genevieve November 30, 2011 at 11:19 PM: I’ve been vegetarian for about a year, so I love looking at cookbooks devoted entirely to vegetarian recipes, rather than being limited to one section of a cookbook!
Ali December 1, 2011 at 10:35 AM: I love cookbooks and learning new recipes! I’ve also been trying to eat less meat and am always looking for new meatless recipes to try.
Thanks for the giveaway!
Richard Vinson December 1, 2011 at 1:18 PM: I’m excited about the book because my wife and I have been trying to eat less meat and more vegetarian meals. Our daughter became a vegetarian a couple of years ago and so at first we tried to accommodate her, but have discovered an appreciation for vegetarian meals. The focus of this book seems right up our alley, regardless of how much one wants to delve into the world of vegetarian cooking. I’m as interested in the philosophy of the whole thing from how to shop to appointing the kitchen and pantry to adjust the way in which food is considered and prepared. I would love the book.
Jill J December 2, 2011 at 5:56 PM: I would love to win Pam Anderson’s cookbook because I am trying to incorporate more healthy balanced meals into our routine and simple easy to fix meatless meals would be fabulous (and I LOVE cookbooks!)

Thanks for the giveaway opportunity!!
Jill J December 2, 2011 at 5:57 PM: I like Three Many Cooks on FB
Jill J December 2, 2011 at 5:57 PM: I like Bluebonnets & Brownies on FB
Jill J December 2, 2011 at 6:02 PM: I follow @threemanycooks, @PamAnderson3MC and @BluebonnetBaker on Twitter and tweeted the giveaway (jilliebean_j)
Jill J December 2, 2011 at 6:03 PM: I already subscribe to Bluebonnets & Brownies via email.
Bonny December 4, 2011 at 5:42 PM: Sounds like a great book. My roommate is a vegetarian, so it makes apartment dinners extremely difficult because we never know what to cook. It’d be nice to start incorporating more healthy, meatless meals into our diet that we can all share and goes beyond pasta!
Bonny December 4, 2011 at 5:42 PM: I get B&B e-mail updates!