Is this not one of the most eye-catching, vibrant cookbook covers you've ever seen? It's incredibly fitting given that the author of this beautiful book is Kathy Patalsky, creator of the colorful vegan blog Healthy.Happy.Life. Kathy is also the brains behind Finding Vegan and author of the impressive 365 Vegan Smoothies book.
I first stumbled across Kathy's blog during the winter of 2013 and was immediately enamored by the warmth exuded through her creative recipes and inspired reflections. I would go as far as to say it was blog-love at first sight, because her mouthwatering photography gripped my attention, and before I knew it I had spent an hour clicking my way through her recipe archives.
Since that time, Healthy.Happy.Life. has become one of my go-to sources for delicious, reliable vegan recipes. Kathy is one of the kindest, most optimistic, and compassionate bloggers out there, and it's nearly impossible to feel anything less than upbeat from the positive vibes she radiates. Her latest book, Healthy Happy Vegan Kitchen, boasts an impressive 220+ plant-based recipes along with a fun and approachable perspective on vegan cooking. Rather than touting perfection or a drastic lifestyle shift, Kathy welcomes occasional, newbie, and lifelong vegans into her practical, plant-based kitchen and reminds us that small, enduring changes can be beneficial to our health, the animals, and the environment.
I've only spent a few days with Healthy Happy Vegan Kitchen in my hands, but I've already marked countless recipes as must-makes. The recipes are enticing for both their deliciousness and ease, with fuss-free methods and welcoming ingredients. Whether you're vegan, vegetarian, or looking to incorporate a few more plant-based meals into your life, you'll find a special, frequently-visited spot for this cookbook in your kitchen.
Healthy Happy Vegan Kitchen will be released on April 28th, but you can pre-order a copy now. Pickup a copy here.
And wait just one minute, because we're just getting to extra-tasty stuff...
1) I jumped at the chance to make Kathy's 5-Step Raw Kale Salad recipe from the book, and it's one of best kale salads I've ever tasted. The dressing. Oh the dressing. I have no words. Scroll down for a few photos and the recipe!
2) One (seriously lucky) reader will win a copy of Healthy Happy Vegan Kitchen. Be sure to enter the giveaway below!
📖 Recipe
5-Step Raw Kale Salad from Healthy Happy Vegan Kitchen
Ingredients
Salad
- 1 bunch kale
- ¾ cups shredded carrots
- 1 small avocado, diced
- ½ cup diced sweet onion
- 2 to 3 tablespoons seeds or nuts (optional)
Simple Sweet Tahini Dressing
- 3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice or apple cider vinegar
- 2 tablespoons tahini (or substitute with nut or seed butter)
- 2 tablespoons grade B maple syrup
- 2 teaspoons extra-virgin olive oil (optional, adds richness)
- pinch of freshly-grated zest
- 2 pinches cayenne
- Pinch of sea salt
- Few pinches of freshly-ground black pepper
Instructions
- Wash the kale. Run each thick leaf under warm water and massage any grit away. Tear the leaves away from the thick stalks and place them in a large bowl. Rinse and drain the leaves several times until the kale is adequately clean. Drain the water from the bowl for a final time and squeeze the kale dry with a few paper towels. Remove any large pieces of kale from the bowl and finely chop them into long strings. (If you like large pieces of kale you can skip this last chopping step.) You should have 4 to 5 cups of kale.
- Place the kale, carrots, avocado, and onion in a large bowl.
- For the Simple Sweet Tahini Dressing: In a small bowl, whisk the dressing ingredients together.
- Add the dressing to the bowl of veggies and kale and start tossing. Massage the dressing into the kale with your hands, if you'd like, for more infused flavor. Fluff and toss until the dressing is well absorbed into the greens and veggies. Fold in the seeds, if desired.
- Cover and refrigerate the salad. Allow at least 1 hour for the dressing to really sink into the ingredients. Plus, chilling everything makes it refreshing and tasty as a cold salad side. You can even make this salad the night before you serve it. Overnight chilling works! The greens should be eaten within a day for the best taste and texture.
Notes
Nutrition
Healthy Happy Vegan Kitchen Cookbook Giveaway
One winner will receive a copy of Healthy Happy Vegan Kitchen. For a chance to win, simply enter the giveaway using the Rafflecopter widget below and comment on this post between April 18th and May 2nd. Please note: this giveaway is only open to residents of the US.
Nancy says
This book looks amazing!
Pauline says
i would like to radically change my eating habits to improve my health
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
I love Kathy! I'm so excited to check out her book! This looks like a bangin' kale salad!
Becky says
Hi there I've followed Kathy's blog for about two years, since becoming a vegan. She has been a tremendous help in my transition from vegetarian to vegan. Her recipes are tasty and not complicated. I've been looking forward to her cookbook and can't wait so get my hands on it. If I win one, well that's even better! Thanks for this giveaway. I've more recently discovered your own blog, and enjoy it also!
coco says
i'd love to add a copy of HHVK to my cookbook collection as i'll soon be starting grad school and am eager to whip up some fresh recipes to help me stay healthy & happy (and to share with new friends, of course ;))!
Adrian says
I would absolutely LOVE to win this cookbook! I am always looking for new inspiration to enjoy and share with my vegan supper club! Also, I finish grad school in just a few months and will finally have more time to be in the kitchen - this would make perfect company! :)
Casey says
I would love to win this cookbook, because I think it would look amazing with all of my cookbooks. Love her blog!
Annette says
This recipe looks so inviting and it's one I plan to make (minus the nuts/seeds - I like them, but they don't like me). I need to improve my eating by cooking more and I'd love to have some more plant-based recipes to try.
The Holistic Herbivore says
I have loved her blog for ages! I can't wait for this book to come out!!
Camille Hardy says
So excited for the cookbook to come out. I'll have to tide myself over in the meantime with this yummy salad.
Vanessa says
I love all the recipes on Healthy Happy Life because they are so healthy and delicious, as well as pretty simple to make. I would love to discover all the recipes in the cookbook!
Nicollette D says
I love Kathy's blog-- gorgeous photos, excellent recipes, and perfectly written with a nice amount of humor. I know this book will be great!
Becca F says
The cookbook including nutritional facts makes me really want it!
Holly E says
I could use some new recipe inspiration and this looks like a great cookbook.
Donna F. says
I would love this book to find some delicious new vegan recipes!
Adele says
This recipe looks so delicious that I'm curious to see what else the book has recipes for!
andrea says
I've turned to several of Kathy's recipes for inspiration on what to make - especially for lunch and dinner - having her cookbook always at my fingertips would be wonderful!
Courtney says
What a gorgeous book! I'm hoping the recipes are as delicious as the cover looks.
Denise says
I would love to try some of the recipes and include them in my daily eats!
Thanks!
Terri Cole says
I would love to have a copy of Kathy's cookbook because one can never have too many (vegan) cookbook! Plus, I love her blog. Thanks for the giveaway!
Jenny K says
I would like copy because I am trying to eat healthier and keep track of protein in my diet, so I am looking for balance recipes with nutritional info provided to make it easier for me
Lydia Claire says
I'd like to win so I can add to my bookcase of vegan cookbooks!
Lisa says
I'd love to win because I have Kathy's smoothie book and I love it! I am sure I'll love this one too.
Corrine says
I'd like to win because her recipes look delicious!
gail says
Definitely for inspiration! The dressing for the salad sounds delicious.
Laura says
I want to learn new healthy recipes!
EVA says
I'm GF and plant-based, and SERIOUSLY running out of meal ideas. I'm in a food rut. Being a full-time college student with a full-time job doesn't let me sit and dream up magnificent feasts, so this would be rad!
gittie ehrman says
That looks amazing! I want this book so badly!
Stacy @ Nourishing Health says
Great review and thanks for the recipe! I pre-ordered the book and cannot wait to make this!!
Karissa @ Vegan A La Mode says
Kale salads are my fave! I love Kathy's recipes too and am so excited for her book! Her blog was one of the first I followed after going vegan!
Celeste Jackson says
I love the simplicity of this salad. I also like how delicate the kale looks. I am sure the massaging helps!
Michelle says
I want to win this book because Kathy's recipes are easy but still delicious, which is exactly what I need as a college student.
Christina says
I would love this cookbook! I've been vegan for 10 years and would love to try some new recipes!
naila says
I would love to own this cookbook! These recipes seem simple yet delicious!
Amber says
I love Kathy and all the recipes and content she puts out. She has inspired me in my journey with veganism. I would like to win this book to give to my friend to hopefully inspire her the way that I have been. :)
Jacky says
I'd love to have all my favorite Kathy recipes in one place!
Sarah says
I love all of Kathy's recipes!!! They are all so inventive and fun; I feel like there's this giant infusion of love in all of them, and it comes through when you whip em up :o)
Liz says
NONE of Kathy's recipes have EVER disappointed me; even when I think something is going to be bland with so few ingredients and seasoning turns out absolutely amazing!
Anita says
Thank you for putting this offer out. I want to see what you have and make it work for my lifestyle. Love being in the kitchen, my favorite area of the house. Creating beautiful meals is a great plus and savory flavors a bit hit. This would help with making continued food improvements as I want to ween myself of sugar cravings, it is my dominate taste but don't want to rely on it when creating meals. P.S. received this via Facebook Choosing Raw.
Be beautiful always.
Michelle says
I'd love to win Kathy's new book because I've been stuck in a rut of cooking the same vegan recipes each week for a while now!
Kristen says
I love me some plant based recipes! Especially this raw kale salad---yummy!
Paula says
I'd like to win a copy of this new book as I already have Kathy's smoothie book & love it!
Bobbie // The Vegan Crew says
I'd love a copy of this book because I'm a huge fan of Happy. Healthy. Life. and 365 Vegan Smoothies. I can always count on Kathy for healthful and delicious recipes!