You may not believe this, but I had no idea what a blog was until I went vegan. It wasn't until I went vegan that I began scouring the interwebs looking for vegan recipes and resources. During this process, I discovered tons of vegans out there, sharing helpful tips and recipes they'd created, usually accompanied with pictures and stories, and they were doing all of this on personal websites I soon discovered were called "blogs." I started by subscribing to a few, bookmarking others. I began making recipes from their sites and these recipes were what gave me confidence in my choice to become vegan and confidence that we could still eat just as well, if not better, than we had when we were vegetarians. One of these blogs, the one that always provided simple, approachable, and always delicious recipes that included ingredients I already had in my kitchen was Healthy. Happy. Life.
I'm sure Kathy Patalsky of Healthy. Happy. Life. needs no introduction as she's probably been a presence in many, if not most, of our kitchens at one point or another. I know that Kathy's Roasted Cheezy Broccoli was the first broccoli recipe that I actually liked (broccoli is not my favorite vegetable by a long shot) and then continued to make on a regular basis. The first vegan ranch dressing I ever made was hers. And if it weren't for Kathy, I probably never would've thought to add matcha green tea powder to my smoothies (and now I have one on the daily!). And if that weren't enough, she also runs the wildly successful site, Finding Vegan, which now has its own app!
Photos © Kathy Patalsky
What I really admire about Healthy. Happy. Life., more than the recipes, is Kathy herself. She invokes enthusiasm, positivity, kindness, and fun into each of her posts. She also has the ability to eloquently describe each dish that she shares so well that you don't even to need her gorgeous, enticing photography to lure you into trying the recipe. In the last year, I've been fortunate enough to meet Kathy in person and I feel blessed to call this lovely person my friend. When I learned that Kathy was coming out with a full cookbook (to follow-up her fabulous 365 Vegan Smoothies), I had two thoughts: 1.) "I'm so happy for her!" and 2.) "It's about time!"
Photos © Kathy Patalsky
For fellow fans of the blog, Healthy Happy Vegan Kitchen does not disappoint. Full of inventive, drool-worthy, and approachable recipes, stunning photography, and Kathy's positive energy, this book is bound to become a new vegan kitchen staple. Her tips on veganizing your kitchen and how to be healthy and happy outside of the kitchen will make this the perfect resource for both long-time vegans and the newcomers.
The first recipe I've tried from the book (I say "first," because I have a big list of recipes I can't wait to delve into) was the Spicy Peanut Soba Noodles with Veggies. If you can believe it, I've never cooked anything with soba noodles but I knew that one of Kathy's recipes would be a great starting guide. Sure enough, the Sweet and Spicy Peanut Sauce is so luscious and delectable, I wanted to eat it by the spoonful rather than pouring it over noodles, but I'm glad I persevered and followed the recipe by adding the simple sauce to the cooked noodles and topping with fresh veggies, cilantro, sesame seeds, and peanuts.
I'm happy to say that my first foray into soba noodles was an absolute success, not to mention absolutely delicious! Aside from being uber simple and the whole dish coming together in less than 15 minutes, this peanut sauce is the perfect balance of sweet and spicy and the teaspoon of sesame oil adds a nice depth. The chewy soba noodles (I used a gluten-free buckwheat variety), coated in this rich, zesty sauce was perfect by itself, but with the added veggies (I used carrots, red bell pepper, and purple cabbage), nuts, and seeds, it had the perfect amount of texture and flavors. It's definitely something I see myself making again and again.
Kathy and the folks at Houghton Mifflin Harcourt are letting me share this awesome recipe with all of you! Enjoy!
Text excerpted from HEALTHY HAPPY VEGAN KITCHEN, © 2015 by Kathy Patalsky.
This peanutty noodle dish is delicious, craveable, and healthy. Think of it as comfort food pasta for peanut lovers! Soba noodles are rich in the good-for-you grain buckwheat and the creamy flavorful peanut sauce is the perfect complement. This sauce is delicious both thick and creamy and thin and light, it just depends on what you crave. You can also modify the sweetness and spiciness to suite your taste buds. Add some carrots or choose your own veggie accents to fold into this versatile recipe!
Ingredients
- 3 cups uncooked soba noodles
- 3 to 4 tablespoons peanut butter, softened
- 2 tablespoons grade B maple syrup
- 2 tablespoons seasoned rice vinegar
- 1 tablespoon tamari
- 1 tablespoon chopped fresh cilantro
- 1 clove garlic
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil
- ½ teaspoon grated peeled fresh ginger
- Few pinches of cayenne
- ¼ to ½ cup plain nondairy milk or water (see Note)
- 1 cup thinly sliced carrots
- 2 teaspoons hemp or sesame seeds (optional)
- ¼ cup finely chopped fresh cilantro 1 teaspoon crushed peanuts
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the noodles and cook until tender, about 5 minutes. Drain and rinse the noodles under cold water. For chilled noodles, transfer the noodles to a bowl and refrigerate until ready to use. Otherwise, cover the noodles to keep warm.
- For the Sweet and Spicy Peanut Sauce: In a food processor or blender, combine the peanut sauce ingredients, adding the nondairy milk last a spoonful at a time until you reach a thickness you like, and process until smooth. If the noodles are cold and dry, a wetter sauce may be best, but if the noodles were just cooked and are still steamy and slightly wet, a thinner sauce may be better. You can also adjust the thickness by adding a spoonful more or less of the nut butter.
- For warm noodles and sauce, pour the sauce in a small saucepan and simmer for 2 to 3 minutes just to warm. Otherwise, pour the sauce directly over the chilled noodles and place back in the fridge until ready to serve.
- To serve, toss the dressed noodles with the carrots and seeds (if using) over the top. Sprinkle with the cilantro and peanuts to serve.
Notes
Add more or less non-dairy milk depending on how thick you like your sauce. Adding more will thin out the consistency.
Kathy and her publisher are also letting me give away a copy of Healthy Happy Vegan Kitchen to one of you beautiful people! The giveaway is open to US residents only (sorry, international friends!) and will run through 11:59pm PST on 4/27/15. Please use the box below to enter.
Thank you so much, Kathy, for letting me review your fabulous new book and to all of my wonderful readers for stopping by! Have a great day!
Unless otherwise noted, photography by Chris Miller
Courtney
The cheezy broccoli fritters are the best!
Nickole
Kathy's Almond Milk was the first I ever made and the one I always go back to. I love her step by step instructions that helped a newbie like me, her info on where to buy a nut milk bag and her special tips for adding extra flavor!
Casey
I love her grilled Cheese recipe
Deanne O
she has the only grilled cheese that I have liked and I love her salads
Jessica M
I have a tie for favorites!!! The Double Coconut Blueberry Muffins and the Creamy Cashew Veggie Pot Pie are both amazing and I've made them multiple times!!!
Shannon
Sweet potato veggie burgers! Thanks for the chance to win 🙂
Lazy Smurf
I really enjoyed her pineapple stir fry.
Jessica M
I love her Double Coconut Blueberry Muffins and Creamy Cashew Veggie Pot Pie. I've made both multiple times!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
That's not fair! I love all Kathy's recipes! She is a genius in the kitchen!
Melissa T
How can you choose just one favorite recipe? There are so many amazing recipes from Kathy!
Beth R.
I love her smoothies and cookies.
Katie Barthel
My favorite recipe of Kathy's (so far!) is the Easy Vegan Spicy Tomato Pasta Stew. This recipe made me realize just how obsessed I am with smoked paprika. It's now one of my favorite spices! I have been looking forward to her book for a while. I have her Smoothie book that I use almost every day.
Kristi
Pumpkin pie pudding ...yum ; )
Marlene @ Jade and Fern
Love Kathy's blog, everything is so amazing! I adore the mushroom breakfast sandwich, can't get enough!
Jacky
I love Kathy's strawberry French toast! I've made it several times and dream of it during the week!
Marji
easy peanut butter chocolate bars
Erin
Love her muffin recipes
Jane Fleming
I love Kathy's smoothies and her cinnabon spicy cake with cream cheese frosting!
courtney
Her smoothies are delicious
Becky
I just made her sweet potato veggie burgers and I think that may be at the top of my list of her favorite recipes.
Gaby D
Oh my goodness, choosing a favorite is practically impossibe! Cheezy broccoli was also one of my first transitional foods and is one I serve to non vegan friends regularly. I also love her PB cookies but I hoard those all to myself :X
Also, in case you didn't know this already, I'd consider you to be in the top ranking vegan institution type blogs. I use your book and share your blog with anyone veg curious and it's a go to when I need good recipes to impress!
moomoo
I love her smoothies and it appears I need to try her grilled cheese!
Katharine
My favourite so far has to be the Sweet and Spicy Curry Chickpea Cucumber wraps. Easy to make, tons of flavor, absolutely delicious! I love broccoli, so I will definitely have to give the cheezy broccoli a go.
Melissa
Great blog! I really enjoy her cookie recipes!
Vegyogini
I haven't tried any of her recipes yet, but this soba noodle recipe looks delicious! Thanks for the giveaway!
Samantha
I love Kathy's sweet potato burgers!
Nicollette D
I love Kathy's blog - - it reminds me a lot of this one. She has so many great recipes but my favorite is probably carrot slaw with maple tempeh triangles. So delicious!
mason
I love Kathy's Pumpkin Pie Pillows! Can't wait for her cookbook!
Linda @ Veganosity
Kathy is a huge inspiration to me, and Finding Vegan has helped our blog's viewership immensely. I owe her a lot!
This recipe looks outrageously good. Pinned!
sarah
pumpkin pie pillow!
Grace
The Candy Cane Peppermint Stick Shake! YUM!
jacquie
i haven't made anything from her blog yet but i'm certainly planning to check it out.
Taylor Morgan
LOVE ANYTHING WITH VEGGIES AND NOODLES!!!
Yoojin
i love her chocolate chip muffins!
TNG
This recipe looks great, but I LOOOOOVE the jalapeno poppers. They're one of my fave snacks!
Julie
I've been loving her curried quinoa wrap recently!
Heather
I never knew of Kathy before this, so I would have to say that this recipe is my favorite of hers so far.
Christina
I loved her vegan cinnamon rolls for Christmas morning!
gittie
I love her Trinity Smoothie!
Melissa
Maple Bliss Vegan Pumpkin Pie... yum!
Sj Dc
love the peanut butter cookies
ali
i haven't tried any of her recipes before. this one sounds yummy.... love a good peanut sauce!
Connie
Love her sweet potato burgers but more importantly love her blog. It always feels so personal and human.
Natalia M
I love her warm ginger curry lentil dip! But I have a gazillion of her other recipes bookmarked that I have made or still have yet to try.
Denise
I love all the different smoothies she has made. So yummy and easy to make!
Coco
Any of the "Secret Ingredient" smoothies are out of this world! I have Kathy to thank for sharing her tips and tricks and totally upping my smoothie-making game!
anna
i've made her chili soooo many times!
Michelle
I have liked almost every recipe I have tried of hers. I don't have a favorite, they are all good.
Stacey
I absolutely love and and all of her muffin and cookie recipes.
kimberley
I loved her sweet potato burgers!
nicky
Thank you for this post, it is so nice to see people praise others. Now I know what I am making for dinner, thank you!
Jody
Rustic tomato soup with kale....my husband and I LOVE it!
Sophia Vetrano
I'm a big fan of Kathy's blog, so it's hard to narrow it down, but the first couple recipes that come to mind are her Alfredo Pasta Bake and her Summer-Thyme Hummus (pretty much my favorite hummus ever).
sarah
Looks delicious!
Heather B.
My favorite continues to change as I explore her website, but the Cinnamon Orange Vanilla Grilled French Toast is absolutely scruptious!
Heather B.
Whoops, I meant "scrumptious"!!
Monique M.
I love all the recipes in her blog!
Anna Hawkes
I have to choose one?? Probably the one I make the most is the hot pumpkin mug. Yum! Or any of her creamy soups. Or macro bowls.. or muffins.. so many delicious recipes!
Mary
Oh man, I can't pick!
Carolyn
Green goddess bowl and spicy ginger tea are the 2 I make on the regular
Jennifer Harmon {Peppers and Peaches}
So I am not feeling tip top at the moment and this sounds exactly like what I need! This recipe is made even more awesome because I picked up some freshly made soba noodles at my local farmer's market just yesterday! Can't wait to get off work and whip this up so I can curl on the couch and rest! Wonderful review! Can't wait for the book! Thanks for sharing!
Mary Syrenne
I haven't tried any of Kathy's recipes yet, but will start with this soba bowl. It looks delicious!
Lindsay F
I love her muffin recipes!
Terri Cole
Kathy has SO many good recipes, but the skillet popped lentils are just crazy good!
Michele
I haven't tried any of her recipes yet, but I'm going to start by checking out all the ones listed in the comments of other people! 🙂
Liz
I LOVE her sweet potato veggie burgers 🙂
Val
Hands down sweet potato veggie burger! I never thought this combo would work but it does and oh so good!!!
jessica z
I love the Pumpkin Pie Pillows!
Marina
Probably her "Epiphany Pie" I think it's called? Either way it's heavenly.
Anna
I love her salads: Butternut Bliss, Christmas Tree, Gardein Chicken...yum...
Michelle
Of her recipes that I've tried, I really like the smashed sweet potato fritters with pistachio crust.
Ashley W
I love soba noodles! This recipe sounds amazing! I love Kathy's smoothie recipes!
Rachel R.
My favorite HHL recipe is the Plantain Black Bean BBQ Wraps - so good!
Adriane
I LOVE her sweet potato burger, and cheezy kale and rice soup!
Brandie at The Fitness Fork
I like her easy peanut butter chocolate bars!
Michelle
Sweet potato burgers!
Ohmydish
YUM! Looks very appetizing 🙂
Jess
Kathy's smoothie recipes are great. So much so that I was brave enough to try some of her green smoothies -- and found I actually liked them.
Kelsey R
I've made her coconut maple chai pancakes before and LOVED them!
Kimberly/TheLittlePlantation
If this recipe isanything to go by, Kathy's book is great indeed!
The noodles look so inviting and I love the bursts of colour. Yummy!
Laura
Curry chicken salad!
Krista F
My favorite is her 5-Step Raw Kale Salad recipe. It is easy to make and so delicious. I have several of her recipes I love though!
Bianca @ Sweet Dreaming
peanut butter chocolate bars!
Corrine
Easy Peasy Creamy Perky Summer Slaw. =)
Lydia Claire
Creamy-Amazing Peanut Soba Noodles look very tasty!
Mindy
I love kathy's sweet potato veggie burgers and her chickpea wraps!
Tamara
I love all of Kathy's smoothie recipes that have the word "cookie" in the title. It usually means a few spoonfuls of oats and a few dashes of sweet, warm spices, and they make great, healthy (happy!) breakfast shakes.
Johanna
Sweet Potato Burgers
Melissa
I love Kathy's recipe for her vanilla smoothie that uses frozen watermelon chunks. It makes for a really perfect texture! I also love her recent recipe for sunbutter.
Courtney S
I love any and all of the muffin recipes! They are so good and a great grab and go breakfast for me 🙂
Diana
I haven't tried any of the recipes yet, but am wanting to try some of the pumpkin flavored things - oatmeal pumpkin bread, pumpkin pie pillows. They look delicious!
Elin Roberts
Any of the smoothies
Paula
This books sounds awesome. I love her blog. A favorite is her tofu veggie hash brown breakfast pockets.
Sarah
Literally currently noshing on the pb chocolate bars!!!
Amanda F
This salad is summer in a bowl and super delicious.
http://kblog.lunchboxbunch.com/2013/07/summer-reboot-salad-kale-corn-sweet.html
Sarah L
I like her Easy Sweet Potato Veggie Burgers.
raju
Thanks For Sharing this amazing recipe. My family loved it. I will be sharing this recipe with my friends. Hope the will like it.