For Immediate Release February 1, 2013
Contacts: John Cunningham (410) 366-8343
Sonja Helman:  [email protected]

SWEET VEGAN TREATS FOR VALENTINE'S DAY

Looking for sweet vegan treats for Valentine's Day? You may want to
try:


CHOCOLATE PUDDING (From Simply Vegan)
(Serves 3)

11/2 cups soy milk
3 Tablespoons cornstarch
1/4 teaspoon vanilla
1/4 cup maple syrup
1/4 cup cocoa powder
2 bananas, sliced (optional)

Whisk all the ingredients (except the bananas) together in a pot. Cook
over medium heat, stirring constantly until pudding thickens.

Remove pot from stove. Stir in sliced bananas if desired. Chill for at
least 15 minutes before serving. 

                                                                               
CHOCOLATE CUPS (From Vegans Know How to Party)
(Makes approximately two dozen cups)

4 ounces (1/2 cup) vegan chocolate chips
24 small cupcake papers

Place chips in a microwave safe bowl and microwave on HIGH for 2
minutes, or until melted. Stir. Or place chips in a small pot,
stirring, and cook for 3-4 minutes, or until melted.

Place cupcake papers on a large microwave-safe plate. Brush a thin
layer of chocolate into the papers, using a pastry brush or the back
of a spoon. Chill in the refrigerator for 5 minutes. Repeat brushing
the chocolate onto the cups to make the cups thicker and thicker. If
you need to remelt the chocolate, microwave on HIGH for 20 seconds or
until melted. Repeat until all chocolate is used. 

Refrigerate cups for at least 30 minutes. Peel away paper to reveal
chocolate cups. 

VEGAN BUTTERCREAM FROSTING (From Vegans Know How to Party)
(Makes 2 cups or 8 servings)

1/2 cup softened, vegan margarine
1/4 cup soy, rice, or almond milk
3 cups powdered sugar (favorite vegan variety)
1 1/2 Tablespoons vanilla extract

Using an electric mixer or in a large bowl with a hand held mixer,
place the margarine and milk, and cream them together. Add half of the
powdered sugar, and beat well to combine. Add the remaining
ingredients and continue to beat the mixture until light and fluffy. 

Variation: For a chocolate frosting, add 1/2 cup cocoa powder or 1/3
cup melted vegan chocolate chips. 


VANILLA (WHITE) CAKE
(Makes one 9 X 13-inch cake (8 large servings) or 24 cupcakes)

Vegetable oil spray
1-1/3 cups sugar (favorite vegan variety)
1/2 cup vegan margarine
3 cups unbleached flour
1 Tablespoon baking powder
3/4 Tablespoon salt
2 cups soymilk rice milk, or other vegan milk
1 Tablespoon each vanilla extract and almond extract

Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Spray a 9 X 13-inch pan or 24 cupcake
tins with oil and set aside. 

Using an electric mixer or in a large bowl with a hand held mixer, mix
the sugar and margarine together until light and fluffy. In another
bowl, sift together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Add dry
ingredients into the margarine mixture, alternating with the milk, and
continuing to beat the mixture well between each addition. Add the
vanilla and almond extract and beat the mixture an additional 2
minutes at medium speed. 

Pour the batter into the pan. Bake for 30 minutes or until an inserted
toothpick comes out clean. Allow to completely cool before frosting. 


BAKED PEARS IN APPLE CIDER SYRUP (From Vegan Meals for One or Two)
(Makes 4 servings)

This is an elegant dessert. Serve it in stemmed glasses, garnished
with some berries or fresh mint. Be sure to try a variety of pears.

4 firm-but-ripe pears
2 Tablespoons fresh lemon juice
2 cups apple cider
1/4 cup apple juice concentrate
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cinnamon stick or 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon

Core, but do not peel pears. In a large pot, combine remaining
ingredients. Bring to a boil and reduce heat. Allow to simmer for 5
minutes.

Add pears, keeping them upright. Allow to simmer until they are soft,
about 15 minutes. 

Remove pears from liquid. Allow liquid to continue to cook until it is
thick and syrupy, about 10 minutes. Serve pears and liquid warm or
cold. 

Note: You can use apples or fresh peaches in this recipe instead of
pears. 


The Vegetarian Resource Group is a non-profit organization which
educates the public about vegetarianism. A vegetarian does not eat
meat, fish, or fowl. A vegan is a vegetarian who does not use other
animal products such as eggs and milk. 

VRG sponsors a scholarship contest for graduating senior high school
students. Two $5,000 prizes will be awarded. For more information on
the scholarships or vegetarianism, visit [ http://www.vrg.org ].  For
more information on Simply Vegan, Vegans Know How to Party, and Vegans
Meals for One or Two, visit [ http://www.vrg.org/catalog ].


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