≡ Menu

Better Than Vegan Tropical “Chicken” Salad + Giveaway!

in Other, Salads

better than vegan 4

I have a confession to make.  As a meat-eater, I never liked chicken salad.  In fact, the idea of it totally repulsed me.  Now, as a mostly plant-based eater, I eat some of the strangest things.  Well, they are really only strange to my former meat-eating self.  I hate regular mayonnaise, but I love vegan mayo.  I hate seafood, but I love “fish sticks” and “crab” cakes made from tofu.  And now, I hate chicken salad with meat, but love vegan “chicken” salad.  The Better Than Vegan cookbook totally turned me onto it and made me a “chicken” salad lover ;).

better than vegan 6

I have worked with the BenBella Books Publishing Company for several reviews and giveaways over the past year (lucky for me and lucky for you! ;)).  Every single cookbook that I have received (Happy Herbivore Abroad, Happy Herbivore Light and Lean, The China Study Cookbook) has been absolutely wonderful and filled to the brim with delicious and simple vegan recipes.  So when I was asked to be a part of the cookbook tour for another one of their popular vegan cookbooks, Better Than Vegan, I simply could not say no.

better than vegan 5

The Better Than Vegan cookbook features over 100 recipes that are plant-based and low in fat.  Readers will find recipes for sauces, dressings, breakfasts, appetizers, soups, wraps, sandwiches, pizzas, entrees, side dishes, desserts, and more.  Chef Del also does a great job of introducing readers to the vegan lifestyle by explaining what foods we should avoid and what foods we should focus on eating.  He provides advice on making food choices, including how to eat out at restaurants.  Finally, Chef Del also provides tips on how to cook with plants, including the type of cookware to use, what staples to keep in our pantries, how to make substitutions, how to best season our dishes, and how to choose the best ingredients.

Upon receiving the cookbook, several recipes stood out.  But ultimately, the look and sound of the Tropical “Chicken” Salad won me over.  Trust me, I am aware that it is January and absolutely frigid outside.  Therefore, a “tropical” recipe does not really seem appropriate.  But let’s be honest- I am not really one to follow rules regarding when I should eat certain foods.  I am, after all, the girl who eats chili in the middle of summer.  So I went against the season and whipped up a batch of Del’s Tropical “Chicken” Salad.  It was actually quite nice to be able to pretend like I was on a tropical island for the 15 minutes that I spent eating dinner.  Unfortunately, despite how absolutely delicious this salad was, the weather did not warm up any.  In fact, I think it only got colder ;).  Chef Del and BenBella were gracious enough to enable me to share the recipe with all of you.  I highly recommend whipping up a batch of this salad (it is super quick and easy!) and visually transporting yourself to someplace warm.

better than vegan 2

Tropical “Chicken” Salad

Serves 4

Ingredients

zest and juice of 2 limes
1/4 cup low-sodium soy sauce (I used Bragg’s Liquid Aminos)
1/3 cup Best Date Syrup Ever (page 83)- this is essentially pureed pitted dates, water, and Stevia
2 TB brown rice vinegar
1 18-ounce package of chicken-style seitan, coarsely chopped (I prefer Upton’s Naturals)
1 red bell pepper, diced
2 mangoes, peeled, seeded, and diced into 1/2-inch cubes
1/2 fresh pineapple, peeled, cored, and cubed (I actually cheated and used canned pineapple since it is the middle of winter)
2 cups mung bean sprouts (unfortunately, I had to leave this out because Trader Joe’s did not have any)
1/2 bunch green onions, finely sliced on a diagonal
1/2 bunch fresh cilantro, chopped

Directions

Combine the zest and lime juice, soy sauce, and date syrup, and set aside.  Combine the remaining ingredients in a large bowl and toss together with the lime mixture.  Refrigerate for 30 minutes.

better than vegan 3

I served the salad in hearts of Romaine lettuce leaves.

If the other recipes in the cookbook are half as good as this one was then I will be awfully pleased.  Some of the others that will be made soon include: the Chipotle Cream Sauce, the Ranch Dressing, the Big Fat Breakfast Pizza, the Spinach-Artichoke Dip, the Turkish Red Lentil Soup, the White Bean Veggie Wraps, the Smoky Black Bean Flatbread, the Sweet Potato-Black Bean Enchiladas, the Tangy BBQ Baked Beans, and the Chocolate Pudding (clearly I had a difficult time narrowing my list down ;)).

There is a lot more where that goodness comes from, too.  And one lucky reader is going to get a chance to cook up all of these recipes and more.

The Giveaway

I am hosting a giveaway for the Better Than Vegan cookbook.  To enter, simply perform one (or all) of the following tasks.  Please leave a separate comment for each:

1. Tell me why you would like to win this cookbook.

2. Tweet about the giveaway.

3. Follow me on Twitter.

4. Follow BenBella Books on Twitter.

5. “Like” my (new!) Facebook page.

The giveaway will be open until Sunday, January 12th at 11:59 p.m. CST.  It is open to residents of the U.S. and Canada only.  Good luck!

Share Good Eats
{ 66 comments… add one }
  • meredith @ The Cookie ChRUNicles January 7, 2014, 5:58 am
    This recipe sounds right up my alley! I never cook with seitan but I always think about doing so. I am so bad like that - never cook tofu either but I should to add in some more variety. meredith @ The Cookie ChRUNicles recently posted...Three Tip Tuesday- Revisiting The Winter Workout GearMy Profile
    • ClnEatingVegGrl January 7, 2014, 11:07 am
      Do it!! Tempeh is my favorite, but I really enjoy both seitan and tofu A LOT!
  • Kelly @ hidden fruits and veggies January 7, 2014, 6:47 am
    This sounds seriously delicious! I've never had a non-vegetarian chicken salad, so I'm not sure if I ever would've been a fan of the "real" stuff, but the faux stuff tastes perfect to me :)
    • ClnEatingVegGrl January 7, 2014, 11:09 am
      It was SO good! I am really a big fan of seitan. I think it is definitely very underrated.
  • Kelly January 7, 2014, 6:48 am
    I follow you on twitter.
  • Kelly January 7, 2014, 6:49 am
    I follow BenBella on twitter.
  • Trisha January 7, 2014, 8:09 am
    Sounds cool! I'm not vegan but we're always looking for more veggie recipes! :) Trisha recently posted...Top Posts From 2013My Profile
    • ClnEatingVegGrl January 7, 2014, 11:13 am
      The more veggies the better, right? ;)
  • Ashley @ Eat Run Live Happy January 7, 2014, 8:15 am
    I LOVE sweet and savory combos. I'm not a vegan but I have always just preferred vegetables and fruit over meat. Great looking dish! Ashley @ Eat Run Live Happy recently posted...What is Happiness?My Profile
    • ClnEatingVegGrl January 7, 2014, 11:13 am
      It sounds to me like you have some great tastebuds! ;)
  • Katie @ running4cupcakes January 7, 2014, 8:39 am
    I love mangos!! I just wish they weren't such a pain to peel and prepare. :)
    • ClnEatingVegGrl January 7, 2014, 11:14 am
      Agreed! They are definitely one of the most annoying fruits to work with :/
  • Elise January 7, 2014, 10:02 am
    As a slightly newer vegan, I would really love this cookbook for all of the information and new recipes it contains! Also, this recipe looks delicious! I love mangos, and I have yet to make a vegan "chicken" salad. I'll be trying it out soon! Elise recently posted...Happy New Year!My Profile
    • ClnEatingVegGrl January 7, 2014, 11:14 am
      This cookbook would be SO great for you! Let me know if you try out the salad.
  • Alicia@ eco friendly homemaking January 7, 2014, 11:24 am
    This looks really good but I am so excited to try the crab cakes. I clicked on that recipe and am ready to make it today!! We are fairly new Vegans and are always looking for great new recipes. This book sounds wonderful!
    • ClnEatingVegGrl January 7, 2014, 12:58 pm
      That is so great, Alicia! Please let me know if you give them a try :).
  • Alicia@ eco friendly homemaking January 7, 2014, 11:25 am
    I just liked you on Facebook
  • Leslee @ Her Happy Balance January 7, 2014, 12:03 pm
    I'd love to win this because I have pretty much zero direction as to where to start when replacing meat with veggie only proteins. Leslee @ Her Happy Balance recently posted...Mild Marinated JerkyMy Profile
    • ClnEatingVegGrl January 7, 2014, 12:56 pm
      Cookbooks and blogs are definitely one of the best places to start. That is how I learned! :)
  • Leslee @ Her Happy Balance January 7, 2014, 12:04 pm
    And I follow you on Twitter ;) Leslee @ Her Happy Balance recently posted...Mild Marinated JerkyMy Profile
  • Ang @ Nutty for Life January 7, 2014, 1:03 pm
    This looks like such a fresh recipe. I can only imagine how great it tastes! Interesting that it calls for date syrup. I tried making that before but it didn't quite turn out. Then again, I didn't have my ninja blender at the time ;) Ang @ Nutty for Life recently posted...That Time I Wanted To Be A Meteorologist [Spill It Sunday #6]My Profile
    • ClnEatingVegGrl January 7, 2014, 1:04 pm
      Gotta love the Ninja!! :)
  • Elyse @ Lizzie Fit January 7, 2014, 1:29 pm
    Totally feel ya! I had Buffalo Cauliflower for the first time this week and went crazy over it, though never liked buffalo chicken, or chicken wings. So weird. I would like to win this cookbook because it would help me grow as a vegan, cook, and blogger. I am fairly new to all of these things but love to learn and try new things at every opportunity :) PS Super excited about your FB page! Elyse @ Lizzie Fit recently posted...Detox & YogaMy Profile
    • ClnEatingVegGrl January 7, 2014, 6:33 pm
      Yay for the FB page! ;) And I have never tried buffalo cauliflower but I have heard it is good. I need to do that!
  • Amy @ Long Drive Journey January 7, 2014, 2:37 pm
    This sounds like a great cookbook to help me with Meatless Monday ideas! Your "chicken" salad looks great! I'd never think to add mangoes. Amy @ Long Drive Journey recently posted...From Start To FinishMy Profile
    • ClnEatingVegGrl January 7, 2014, 6:34 pm
      This would be SO great for Meatless Mondays! :)
  • Alexandra January 7, 2014, 4:04 pm
    THis recipe sounds great! I'd love to incorporate more vegan meals into my weekly rotation! Thanks!
    • ClnEatingVegGrl January 7, 2014, 6:35 pm
      The more veg/vegan meals, the better! This cookbook would definitely help out with that :).
  • Danica @ It's Progression January 7, 2014, 7:18 pm
    I would *love* to win this cookbook! Reading and trying new recipes is my favorite. Danica @ It's Progression recently posted...“I Thought it was Just Me (But It Isn’t)” {book review}My Profile
    • ClnEatingVegGrl January 7, 2014, 8:14 pm
      I am the SAME way! ;)
  • Danica @ It's Progression January 7, 2014, 7:18 pm
    I follow you on Twitter! Danica @ It's Progression recently posted...“I Thought it was Just Me (But It Isn’t)” {book review}My Profile
  • Danica @ It's Progression January 7, 2014, 7:19 pm
    I'm a fan on Facebook now! :) Danica @ It's Progression recently posted...“I Thought it was Just Me (But It Isn’t)” {book review}My Profile
  • Karina January 7, 2014, 8:21 pm
    I would love this cook book! As a plant based eater and self proclaimed chef I am always looking for new, yummy recipes! :) Karina recently posted...Coconut Flour Crepes with Strawberry FillingMy Profile
    • ClnEatingVegGrl January 8, 2014, 2:00 pm
      That is fantastic! If you are anything like me then you can never have too many cookbooks ;).
  • Jessie January 7, 2014, 9:54 pm
    As delicious as this recipe sounds, I have to admit.. I'm completely intrigued by the date syrup. I bet it would be delicious on just about anything. How much of each do you use? Jessie recently posted...WIAW: January 7, 2014My Profile
    • ClnEatingVegGrl January 17, 2014, 7:22 pm
      2 cups pitted Medjool dates, 1/2 tsp Stevia, and 1 1/2 to 2 cups water = about 3 cups. I majorly cut this down when I made it though!
  • Emily @ More Than Just Dessert January 7, 2014, 11:36 pm
    I would love to win this cookbook because I don't even know where to start when it comes to vegan recipes! Emily @ More Than Just Dessert recently posted...2014 Blogging GoalsMy Profile
  • Emily @ More Than Just Dessert January 7, 2014, 11:37 pm
    Annnnd, I follow you on the twittersphere! Emily @ More Than Just Dessert recently posted...2014 Blogging GoalsMy Profile
  • Celeste January 8, 2014, 12:10 am
    What a great giveaway! I just liked your new facebook page. Happy New Year chica! Celeste :)
  • Debra January 8, 2014, 7:18 am
    This cookbook looks fabulous. I am an avid cook & always need new inspiration.
  • Kelly G. January 8, 2014, 8:12 am
    One of my resolutions for the new year is to eat healthier - but most of the cookbooks I own are of the "junk food vegan" type! So this would really help. :)
  • Kelly G. January 8, 2014, 8:14 am
    I tweeted about the giveaway: https://twitter.com/vegandaemon/status/420921303298613249
  • Kelly G. January 8, 2014, 8:14 am
    I follow you on Twitter!
  • Kelly G. January 8, 2014, 8:15 am
    And I also like you on FB!
  • Kelly G. January 8, 2014, 8:15 am
    And I follow BenBella Books on Twitter.
  • April V January 8, 2014, 12:37 pm
    My new years resolution was to start eating healthier so this would help GREATLY!! ...and maybe kick my butt into starting to cook healthier!!
  • April V January 8, 2014, 12:38 pm
    I follow you on Twitter! April V recently posted...Just a Little While Longer...My Profile
  • Robyn R January 9, 2014, 6:50 am
    I would like to add healthier recipes into our dining repertoire and this book sounds like a great way to do so. Robyn R recently posted...Mommy MD Guide to Losing Weight and Feeling Great #ReviewMy Profile
  • Robyn R January 9, 2014, 6:53 am
    Tweet https://twitter.com/Coolestmommy/status/421262465041956864 Robyn R recently posted...Mommy MD Guide to Losing Weight and Feeling Great #ReviewMy Profile
  • Robyn R January 9, 2014, 6:54 am
    Liked your new FB page. Robyn R recently posted...Mommy MD Guide to Losing Weight and Feeling Great #ReviewMy Profile
  • Heather Koch January 9, 2014, 11:12 am
    I would like to win this book because i just recently went vegan and could use some helpful reads. Thanks
  • Heather Koch January 9, 2014, 11:14 am
    I liked your new facebook page! :)
  • Deb E January 9, 2014, 1:54 pm
    I follow you on twitter @deedeethatsmee
  • Deb E January 9, 2014, 1:56 pm
    I'm already following @BenBellaBooks: @deedeethatsmee
  • Deb E January 9, 2014, 1:58 pm
    I liked your new FB page as Deb Dianne.
  • Deb E January 9, 2014, 2:00 pm
    I want to win this book to make my meals more exciting and tastier. Sometimes I don't put as much effort into cooking as I should when I just prepare for one serving.
  • Deb E January 9, 2014, 2:02 pm
    I tweeted the giveaway (@deedeethatsmee): https://twitter.com/deedeethatsmee/status/421371034361954305
  • Carolsue January 12, 2014, 10:28 pm
    I'm always on the lookout for good Vegan recipes and info -- I need the book! :) Digicats {at} Sbcglobal {dot} Net
  • Carolsue January 12, 2014, 10:28 pm
    I follow you on Twitter as @MsCarolsueA
  • Carolsue January 12, 2014, 10:29 pm
    I follow BenBella Books on Twitter as @MsCarolsueA
  • Carolsue January 12, 2014, 10:30 pm
    I like you on Facebook as Carolsue Anderson
  • Carolsue January 12, 2014, 10:30 pm
    Tweeted https://twitter.com/MsCarolsueA/status/422586262445228032
  • Becca F January 16, 2014, 12:19 am
    I'd love to win this book because I love collecting cookbooks. I also just got my maid of honor dress and its a bit tight so I could lose a few pounds
Cancel reply

Leave a Comment

CommentLuv badge