Win the New Pure Food Cookbook from Pure Bar’s Veronica Bosgraaf
Working mom, creator of the extremely popular Pure Bar, and now author of a delicious vegetarian cookbook – Veronica Bosgraaf has a lot on her plate.
The health-conscious mom and self-taught cook — who has been whipping up tasty, nutritious meals for her own family for years — is now bringing her expertise to the masses with the release of her very first cookbook, “Pure Food,” a compilation of seasonal, plant-based recipes.
I’ve been a fan of Pure for years and appreciated their support at both of my LDLA events, so I was excited to get the chance to finally meet Veronica in person at the Natural Foods Expo West last week. The down-to-earth, Michigan mom was so sweet and knowledgeable, sitting down to share advice on complete sources of plant-based protein for vegans and her favorite recipes from the book.
Veronica even revealed the recipe for the book’s super addictive Raw Chocolate Chip Cookies, which I’ll be sharing with you below!
Be sure to stick around until the end of the post because she’s also offered to GIVEAWAY two copies of her amazing cookbook along with a bunch of Pure’s Ancient Grains bars and brand new Crispy Clusters!
Q&A with Veronica Bosgraaf
What inspired you to do a cookbook?
“As a working mom who is concerned about feeding her family healthy foods, I know how difficult it is to commit to cooking every night. Over the years, since my business has grown, I have developed recipes and strategies for making cooking healthy meals easier. I am passionate about helping people get back in the kitchen and making cooking a pleasant and rewarding experience, not an intimidating one. This is the inspiration behind my cookbook Pure Food.”
Where did you learn to cook – did you go school or are you self-taught?
I learned so many basics by watching my mom and even grandma cook. It is why I tell people how important it is to have your children watch you or even participate in cooking. They are like sponges and learn by seeing and doing. Beyond that, I am self-taught, taking many recipes that I grew up with and remaking them to be healthier by using better ingredients like alternative flours, grains, sugars and oils.
What are your three favorite recipes in the book?
I love my breakfast Polenta with Currants and Allspice and Homemade Almond Milk. I make it weekly for the kids before school as a hot delicious breakfast and it takes 10 minutes, tops! I also often make the Raw Chocolate Chip Cookies (and so do my kids). My Vegetarian Tacos are a big hit and made often as well as the Pizza with Hummus and Arugula, and the Pistachio Cous Cous with Orange Zest.
- 1 cup pitted dates
- 3⁄4 cup raw cashews
- 3⁄4 cup raw walnuts
- 11⁄2 tablespoons coconut oil
- 1⁄2 teaspoon sea salt
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1⁄4 cup cacao nibs
- Process the dates in a food processor until well-chopped.
- Add the cashews, walnuts, coconut oil, salt, and vanilla and process until smooth.
- Add the cacao nibs and pulse to combine.
- Using your hands, form the dough into 10 cookies.
- Chill in the fridge for about 1 hour to solidify before serving.
Some people are concerned about getting enough protein with plant-based cooking – what are you favorite sources of plant-based protein and which recipes from the book that contain them would you recommend?
There are so many amazing complete vegan sources of protein, all of them I use regularly in my cookbook like quinoa, hemp, amaranth, black beans cashews, pumpkin seeds, chickpeas even cauliflower and potatoes! Combining high protein beans and legumes with rice like my Lentils and Rice also creates a complete protein. My Peaches and Cream Amaranth, Roasted Cauliflower Quinoa with Cashews, and Red Lentil Cumin Soup are some of my favorite high protein plant based meals.
What’s new and what’s next for Pure Bar?!
We continue to listen to our community and innovate to provide the best, cleanest and most nutritionally balanced Pure Bars, Pure Fruit and Veggie Strips and bagged snacks like our NEW! Pure Crispy Clusters. We are committed to amazing tasting organic treats that make your life healthier and easier.
Click here >> to enter the giveaway and win a copy of Pure Food, a 12-bar box of Pure Ancient Grains Bars, and a bag of their new Organic Crispy Clusters. I’ll be randomly selecting 2 winners next Friday!
Taryn says:
Black beans are my favorite plant-based protein… simply because they’re so easy (and cheap)!
Liz S. says:
My favorite plant-based protein is quinoa, since it is so versatile and tasty.
Jessica Joy @The Fit Switch says:
What an awesome glimpse into such an amazing person. Thanks Whitney. I would love to try that peaches and cream amaranth. I have been wanting to explore more grains, and that sounds like such a delicious way to do. I am excited for this book, because I know she must have some amazing tricks up her sleeve to be so busy, yet still cook healthy. Good one. Yahoo! Have a great weekend!
Whitney English says:
Thanks Jessica! Yes, the book is awesome – Veronica is a fabulous recipe creator :)
Kristal says:
Quinoa & hempseed!
Jamie D says:
This sounds like an amazing book! I would definitely make the vegetarian tacos, nothing beats a great taco! Quinoa is my favorite vegan protein.
Whitney English says:
I completely agree :)
shannonmarie (rawdorable) says:
My favorite plant-based protein is hemp. I love it in smoothies, bars and various recipes. I’m a big fan of Veronica and her Pure Bars. I enjoyed the interview.
Whitney English says:
Thanks Shannon! If you like hemp you should try the raw chocolate truffles on the blog – they’re coated in hemp seeds and absolutely delish!
Annie says:
My favorite is black beans! I use them nearly every week to make black bean burgers :)
Whitney English says:
Yum! Black bean burgers every week? Lucky family :)
Taylor says:
I love using chickpeas in salads because they are cheap, moving and in school I’m always looking for inexpensive items but they are also soo delicious!
Whitney English says:
Such a good point. Convenient too!
Annie B says:
I love black bean noodles and am obsessed with steamed lentils!
Whitney English says:
Black bean noodles are the best. So much protein and fiber!!
Jamie Lauren says:
Yum! I will be buying this book even if I don’t win!
Whitney English says:
Nice! Smart decision:)
Ashley @ A Lady Goes West says:
So cool! I’m so intrigued with a diet like this, but have never tried it. My favorite plant-based protein is certainly black beans! Happy Friday!
Ellen says:
I would love to try the tacos!
Whitney English says:
They are on my must-make list too!
April says:
Beans and quinoa are my fave plant based proteins :)
Whitney English says:
Mine too!
Brittany @ Barr & Table says:
I’m a big fan of beans and quinoa. In terms of protein powders, I’d have to say hemp is my fave.
Whitney English says:
Good choice!
Holly E says:
I love quinoa and flaxseed.
Krissy @ Pretty Wee Things says:
Definitely chickpeas for me, I love that they can be used in so many ways and also taste like cookie dough in the right recipe! x
Whitney English says:
Oh definitely. Any way to make cookies healthy, I’m all for!
Heather GHeathersfreedom@hotmail.com says:
I enjoy Vega protein
anne says:
I love pure bars! I’d love to try out her hummus and arugula pizza recipe. My favorite vegan protein is a tie between tofu and hummus.
Jennifer Sinquefield King says:
Lentils are my fav! Lentil meatloaf!!
Whitney English says:
Oh yeah, lentil meatloaf is the bomb!!
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