Lindsay S. Nixon is a rising star in the culinary world, praised for her ability to use everyday ingredients to create healthy, low fat recipes that taste just as delicious as they are nutritious. Lindsay's recipes have been featured in Vegetarian Times, Women's Health Magazine and on The Huffington Post. Lindsay is also a consulting chef at La Samanna, a luxury resort and four-star restaurant in the French West Indies. You can learn more about Lindsay and sample some of her recipes at happyherbivore.com
What's your favorite recipe from the first Happy Herbivore cookbook?
I have a lot of favorites that I circle between. Up until yesterday I was a glutton for the nacho cheese sauce, but I made the nutty spread this morning and am back to worshiping it. A few weeks ago I'd have said cornbread, or queso, or the portobello steaks. There are a lot that I'm crazy for.
Your cookbook was a huge success and quickly sold out. Did that surprise you?
Do you think part of that is an indication that more people are open to eating vegan, more people are vegan, or more people want to eat low-fat and fat-free healthy meals?
What's the most popular recipe on the Happy Herbivore blog?
Which Happy Herbivore recipe would you recommend to omnivores new (and perhaps hesitant) to vegan eating?
I always suggest starting with an inherently vegan for newcomers dish--like a stir-fry, instead of something that emulates meat or cheese. I have an "omni-friendly" icon in the cookbook that's helpful, but I find the nachos and portobello steaks are popular with skeptics.Which Happy Herbivore recipe would you recommend to anyone who wants a healthy, balanced meal but doesn't like cooking and has little time?
You're working on a second cookbook now. What are you most excited about for this next cookbook, and what can readers expect?
I'm still hashing out my exact vision with the book, I'm only 60 recipes in, but I like where it's going.
What's the most important cooking skill or technique you've learned?
What's your all-time favorite vegan dish?
Is there any non-vegan food that you miss eating and can't find a good substitute for?
I've been fortunate that I've never had cravings, or nostalgia, for foods I've given up (mind over matter).
Are there any other vegan chefs and/or cookbooks that inspire you?
Jaime Oliver is probably the one chef I'm inspired by, even though he's an omnivore. I like his "let me show you how to make fresh healthy meals" attitude. He's all about being healthy and that's so refreshing. Most chefs (vegan or otherwise) tend to focus purely on the flavor, with little regard for overall nutrition. Take Paula Deen, for example, I'm sure her food is tasty, but everything has a stick of butter in it.
Many of us vegans face difficult situations at holidays and other functions when our families and friends make meat- and dairy-heavy meals. Do you also face that, and what advice can you give to us?
I'm very lucky that my family and friends are very supportive and enjoy (or are at least open to trying) vegan food, so there is always plenty of it, even if [my husband] Scott and I are the only vegans. It wasn't always that way, but over the years we've found compromise. This summer, for example, my cousin realized she could make her famous pineapple dessert vegan by using margarine instead of butter, and she did it, knowing I'd be in attendance. I felt really loved and appreciated.
Thanks, Lindsay, and thanks for sharing this recipe! Black Bean Burgers (makes 3) - I love a good and quick meal, and this burger fits the bill perfectly.
- 15-ounce can black beans, drained and rinsed
- 1/4 c fresh cilantro, minced
- 1 tsp ground cumin
- 1/2 tsp dried oregano
- cayenne, salt and pepper to taste
- whole-wheat breadcrumbs or instant oats
- whole-wheat buns
Thanks for having me!!
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