I’m feeling confused and a little betrayed. I mean, how can my BFF’s…my next door neighbors…the friends I feast with at least once a week go vegan and not tell ME?
They had made their decision while traveling this summer with a vegan family member and then we met up with them last week in North Carolina. That’s when they sprung it on us. Just as Chef Fabrizio was walking through their house with all this delicious beef. Who knew?
Awkward. They could’ve texted us or something.
So it was Gabriella’s birthday this weekend. That meant my vegan peeps would not eat Fabrizio’s super fabulous Nutella ice-cream birthday cake.
I decided to try to make them a vegan banana bread. I added milk chocolate chips to the first one. Gabriella reminded me after that that’s not vegan. The next one I added strawberries and bananas. That was hit with my family too but they did prefer the chocolate chip one.
I also decided to make a vegan pasta salad for these two beauties.
I tossed some tuna into their portion. You see, Silvia (teenage cousin visiting from Italy this past month)is a pescatarian (a vegetarian that eats fish). SO I was just used to cooking pescatarian. My vegan friends were not impressed with my pesca-vegan dish.
Disappointed for not being able to make them something vegan to eat besides banana bread, I fumed and wondered silently, “How could they do this to me?”
And now I’m left wondering how our food lives will change. How will every meal together be the same when they are eating one way and we’re eating another? I am proud of them and their choices. I’ll just miss our days of pigging out on Italian cheese and Teresa’s salamis.
I don’t think this will be my last vegan post. I am reading a lot about vegans and how to cook like a vegan. I never thought about how many things I already make are vegan. Just not my baking things. That will take some recipe tweaking. I’ll do it for my vegan peeps. They’re my main baking samplers.
I forgot to talk about how the breads tasted! They tasted very good. Italian cousins approved. My kids approved (and they are picky about baked goods). The bread was moist and flaky. It was delicious even the next day with coffee and was still moist.
Vegan Strawberry-Banana Bread
2 cups of flour (I sometimes add 1/2 whole wheat and no one knows the difference)
1 tsp sea salt
1/2 tsp baking soda
1 tsp baking powder
1 cup mashed bananas (about 3-4 very ripe)
1/2 cup diced strawberries plus one thinly sliced one for decorating the top
1/2 cup organic brown sugar
lemon rind from one lemon
1/2 cup soy milk
1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
1/2 cup coconut oil (I melted chopped cold coconut oil)
Preheat the oven to 350 F. Line a 9 x5 loaf pan with parchment paper.
Mash the bananas in a medium sized mixing bowl and stir in the lemon rind. In another medium sized bowl, whisk together the flour, sea salt, baking soda, and baking powder. Add the apple cider vinegar to the soy milk. Let sit for a minute, and then add it to a medium sized bowl.
Ethan says
August 24, 2011 at 3:46 amHappy birthday Gabriella!
I'm glad you're not letting Veganism ruin your friendship:P
Marnely Rodriguez says
August 24, 2011 at 3:55 amThis looks gorgeous and yes, awkward indeed having your hubby walk in with beef for the new vegans! Seems like a fun challenge, and just think of all the veggies and spices and everything else they CAN eat! 🙂 #bananalove
Baker Street says
August 24, 2011 at 4:05 amHappy birthday, Gabriella!
And Lora, I hope you wont go vegan on us. lol. We love your baked goods. The bread looks delicious.
Jenny (VintageSugarcube) says
August 24, 2011 at 4:22 amOhhh my that looks deeelish! I've made vegas banana cake, but I love your recipe with the strawberries. Yum Yum, I want some!! 🙂
Sanjeeta kk says
August 24, 2011 at 4:46 amThe vegan fruity loaf looks delightful, Lora! And B;day wishes to Gabriella.
Kate@Diethood says
August 24, 2011 at 5:11 amWhat a lovely loaf! I bet it tastes amazing! But, don't get used to baking vegan… I love your tarts and pies and cakes and well you get the point. 🙂
Happy Birthday to Gabriella!!
xo
Zita says
August 24, 2011 at 9:22 amWelcome to the vegan world! 🙂 When I became vegetarian (I cooked a lot of vegan dishes too) I didn't mind baking with eggs and milk. I said to myself: "I don't want to bother with flexseeds etc.". In the last year I changed a lot. I like challenging myself and turn a normal cake's recipe into vegan. I prefer using oatmilk, coconut milk or ricemilk instead of normal one and it's easy to substitute the egg too. Check out my blog for some inspiration, more vegan cakes (an amazing chocolate one!!!) and cookies recipes are coming too!
If you need help, DM me on Twitter or email me!
Good luck!
🙂
Maris (In Good Taste) says
August 24, 2011 at 9:31 amhappy Birthday to your lovely daughter! That is one gorgeous birthday cake! Is there such a thing as unvegan for the day?!
Lauren at Keep It Sweet says
August 24, 2011 at 10:04 amI challenged myself to go vegan for a week earlier in the year and was surprised at how hard it was just for a few days, I feel for you trying to feed your neighbors! This bread would have made me happy, though:-)
A Thought For Food says
August 24, 2011 at 10:58 amYou are too funny… yeah, it can be hard cooking vegan dishes, but I'm sure you'll get the hang of it soon.
But that banana bread does sound mighty tasty!
Pretend Chef says
August 24, 2011 at 12:15 pmVegan baking is a subject I know nothing about. Hopefully I'll learn a thing or two from your adventures in baking for the neighbors. This bread sounds and looks perfect for a vegan or just anyone for that matter. I would love a slice right now to go with this cup of coffee I just poured.
The Mom Chef says
August 24, 2011 at 2:17 pmWow, I can't imagine the switch that would be; enjoying cheeses and meats together and now having to discover a whole new way of cooking. You're so amazing for embracing this and venturing out into this new cooking realm.
And, that banana bread looks fantastic. I'd never guess it's totally animal-product free.
Noelle says
August 24, 2011 at 3:23 pmThis is a wonderful recipe. It really can get really simple baking vegan and even cooking once you get the hang of it, but I understand what you are talking about.
Claudia says
August 24, 2011 at 4:56 pmI have family members who are vegan because of food allergies – so I have adapted when necessary. This looks like a winner. Now, I have made some chocolate cake that was vegan – somewhere I have the recipe…
Interesting about changing dietary habits – and how wonderful that you are willing to accommodate – some won't.
Alison @ Ingredients, Inc. says
August 24, 2011 at 10:06 pmlove your strawberry banana bread. Can't wait to try it
Xiaolu @ 6 Bittersweets says
August 24, 2011 at 10:24 pmMmm looks yummy!
blackbookkitchendiaries says
August 24, 2011 at 10:58 pmwow! that looks pretty good:)
Sarah-Jane - SiliconeMoulds.com says
August 24, 2011 at 11:28 pmwouldn't really know where to start with vegan baking – but this does look yummy (vegan or not !)
Ken│hungry rabbit says
August 25, 2011 at 11:39 amI love you more for the fact that you didn't throw your hands up and call it quit on short notice. Vegan baking is not impossible to adjust to, but just needs a bit of extra attention and I know you will master it in no time.
foodwanderings says
August 25, 2011 at 2:10 pmI must be out of sorts since I missed this post. Love this incredible how it came out looking so good regardless of the adjustments you had to make. Have fun in NOLA Lora!
Wenderly says
August 26, 2011 at 12:01 amThat is too funny! Yes a text or a DM would have been nice! 🙂
That bread sounds delish!
Baking Serendipity says
August 26, 2011 at 2:28 amMy sister in law is vegan and I always feel like it's such a challenge to figure out meals for when she is visiting. Still, it's nice to have the challenge and branch out a little sometimes. Holding onto this recipe for sure. The strawberries atop the red look beautiful when baked!
Amish Stories says
August 26, 2011 at 11:53 amThat looks pretty rich, but pretty good. Richard
megan @ whatmegansmaking says
August 26, 2011 at 2:16 pmway to go on this! I have no idea how to bake vegan…it intimidates me 🙂
The Vanilla Bean Baker says
August 26, 2011 at 8:42 pmOMG, you must have a lot of beef in your freezer now! Your banana strawberry bread looks wonderful and I hope Gabriella had a wonderful birthday celebration. Vegan or not, it's always wonderful to be able to celebrate the day with those you love.
Curt says
August 26, 2011 at 9:51 pmThat looks fabulous. I love banana bread, and strawberries make it even that much better!
Becky says
August 26, 2011 at 10:28 pmWe have several family members, who are now Vegan. It's takes little adjusting to get it right. However, I have made Vegan chocolate and Vanilla Cupcakes, and they taste good. I'm bookmarking your wonderful bread recipe to make for them in the future.
Lizzy says
August 27, 2011 at 12:56 pmHappy birthday to your sweet Gabriella!!! Your bread looks amazing…and this new twist with your friends' diet will just expand your baking horizons! Have a great weekend, Lora 🙂
franca says
August 29, 2011 at 8:08 pmbuono questo dolce,
cara LOra ho visto in tv l'uragano IRENE,spero che nella tua zona non abbia fatto troppi danni e che la tua famiglia stia bene,ma anche tutte le altre persone.
ciao un abbraccio
good this cake
I saw on TV dear Lora Hurricane Irene, I hope that in your area has not done too much damage and your family are well, but also all other persons.
hello hug
Magic of Spice says
August 30, 2011 at 12:06 amA very Happy Birthday to Gabriella!
Wow, I can't believe they did not mention it…I would have panicked 😉 The bread sounds fantastic, nice job 🙂
Wishing you a great week
Monet says
August 30, 2011 at 3:37 amSuch a cute post, Lora. I have a few friends who are vegan too, and I've been playing around with different recipes in the kitchen as well. Thank you for taking the time to share yourself and your creativity with me. It brightens my day (and many others'). I hope you have a blessed evening, my friend!
Anonymous says
August 30, 2011 at 1:24 pmCiao!!
Quante belle torte..wow..bravissima and Happy Birthday!!:-)
Kisses
http://attimididolcezza.blogspot.com/
Evan @swEEts says
August 30, 2011 at 7:01 pmI haven't been by in so long and I apologize- this summer is getting the best of me! I love that you tweaked some recipes for your friends.. I don't know how vegans do it to be honest.. no cheese? It's just not right.. 🙂
Rima says
January 28, 2012 at 7:01 pmThis looks good. I'm going to try this right now! Thanks so much for this recipe! And your blog is amazing!
Give me money says
January 29, 2012 at 12:34 pmdeliciouse look
Lauren Schiely says
July 22, 2012 at 2:36 pmI hope you mean the zest from one whole lemon instead of the rind!
Lauren Schiely says
July 22, 2012 at 4:21 pmDelicious bread though! 🙂 Incredibly moist and not too sweet!
Anonymous says
December 7, 2018 at 6:00 pmIl gelato sembra favoloso da Gabriella Coscia Roma