March 27, 2009

A Vegan Salad? Well, I Never!

by IsaChandra

I was on AM Northwest making picnic salads, check it out!

And don’t forget that this salad is incredibly versatile. The basic is idea is something sweet, something hearty and a little sumpin sumpin to pull it all together, in this case cilantro. The dressing is super simple; a little vinegar and oil. All of these components can be filled in by you like one big culinary mad lib.

Just off the top of my head, a great autumn salad might be wheatberries, apples, pecans (toasted, if you want to get crazy), red onions and a little fresh rosemary. Or how about peaches and basil in the summer? Spring is coming and if you find yourself stumped at the farmer’s market, picture my floating head above your shoulder going “graaaaaain salaaaaaad.” It’s creepy, but effective.

The recipes are both in Veganomicon, but they’re also right here, enjoy!



  • March 27, 2009 at 8:17 am: JenniLu

    “I didn’t know there were meat products in cupcakes.”

    Bwa ha ha ha ha ha!!!!

  • March 27, 2009 at 8:22 am: melanie eight

    this is a really charming segment. good job in staying polite and cute when the gentleman said things like “now we add some chicken”.
    i think i’ll take your floating head to the market tomorrow.

  • March 27, 2009 at 8:32 am: snugglebunny

    I made your quinoa, black bean and mango salad before. It was great in my bento, since it makes a complete lunch. However, I make it with amarath, since I have not been able to get past the sprouted look of quinoa.

  • March 27, 2009 at 10:52 am: allularpunk

    grain salads are the bestest.

  • March 27, 2009 at 11:11 am: allularpunk

    wow, upon watching that, i have to say that you kept your cool and sense of humor very well, haha…

  • March 27, 2009 at 11:47 am: JessieG

    Great appearance! I am going to have to try that quinoa salad, it looks really good.

  • March 27, 2009 at 12:07 pm: Jenn

    Fantastic! You look great! Great spot. They should totally make you a regular or give you your own show.

  • March 27, 2009 at 12:28 pm: Cynthia

    Way to go, Isa! In a subsequent post, could you tell us what you’ve got growing in your garden? I’m hoping to start one, too, but have been a little shaky getting started.

  • March 27, 2009 at 12:42 pm: Nora

    man that peach/basil idea sounds amazing!

  • March 27, 2009 at 12:50 pm: Nora

    Also, you’d think they would have looked into veganism at least a little before having you on, at least to know what it is! geez!

  • March 27, 2009 at 2:25 pm: IsaChandra

    “There’s meat in cupcakes.”

    Oddly, that is not the first time I have heard that.

  • March 27, 2009 at 2:25 pm: veggievixen

    yum!! i love making salads, they are so versatile and they make your body go yummmm.

  • March 27, 2009 at 2:37 pm: Clare

    You are right. Grain salads are pretty awesome indeed. Satisfying both the carb cravings and the need fresh stuff cravings.

  • March 27, 2009 at 5:08 pm: G

    You are ADORABLE in this segment… great job.

  • March 27, 2009 at 5:29 pm: JemimaH

    Grace under pressure

  • March 27, 2009 at 6:01 pm: redspoon

    Yay Isa!…way to go, being so calm & collected. Great segment.

  • March 27, 2009 at 6:43 pm: bex

    Well done! I love the:

    “You know what would go good in this? . . . Chicken”
    “Oh you’re one of those.”

    It looks like they had fun having you on and they liked the salads.

  • March 27, 2009 at 7:01 pm: melomeals: Vegan For $3.33 a Day

    You rocked on that show! It must have been sooo irritating to deal with them though… oy… but you pulled it off big time… and really.. they seemed to be impressed with your food.

  • March 27, 2009 at 10:50 pm: regina

    You are awesome! Talented, funny and completely cool. I am totally trying all the salad variations you mentioned.

  • March 28, 2009 at 7:09 am: Sean

    well done, great looking food

  • March 28, 2009 at 4:51 pm: rockgirl71

    Wow, you really, really, REALLY rock, Isa. I wanted to punch the chicken guy in the head.

  • March 28, 2009 at 5:42 pm: TJF

    The NY Times agrees with you.

    http://www.nytimes.com/2009/03/25/health/nutrition/25recipehealth.html?em

    Minus the buttermilk, of course.

  • March 28, 2009 at 7:28 pm: IsaChandra

    Wow, what biters! My salad looks better, though.

  • March 28, 2009 at 8:28 pm: Ed

    That’s too funny! Great job!

  • March 29, 2009 at 9:23 am: Catalina

    Now your head will pop out of the piles of produce at the farmer’s market. Thanks Isa, thanks a lot.

  • March 29, 2009 at 8:53 pm: The Cooking Lady

    I am so thrilled to see a vegan that could be in a Dove commercial. Real people are vegans. It’s a misconception that all vegans are pencil thin. Thank you for being a role model for my daughter, who is a vegetarian who has curves and worries about them.

    She also purchased your cupcake book with her holiday money and our family is reaping the benefits.

    And two, you did an excellent job of staying calm and cool when Mr. Ding Dong made is as always dumb meat comment. I say the next time we go to a food event where there are meat eaters, we all huddle together and say, this would be great with a bit of tofu in it.

  • March 29, 2009 at 10:52 pm: Christy

    That is awesome! I didn’t know you moved to Portland. Nice to meet you on the cruise!

    Best,
    Christy

  • March 30, 2009 at 9:43 am: Annabelle

    He he vegan salad you’re funny.

  • March 30, 2009 at 12:00 pm: B.A.D.

    Nice Jazz Hands Isa.

  • March 30, 2009 at 4:20 pm: jcd

    Grain salads are my favourite salads.
    Go Isa!

  • March 30, 2009 at 4:31 pm: Bea

    The recipes look gorgeous and I’m going to make them very soon and I’m looking forward to buying your new book. As for the clip, the presenters… what fun! So much comic value!!

  • March 30, 2009 at 6:56 pm: SallyT

    Great job, Isa and I look forward to your head accompanying me on my shopping trips.

    Can’t wait for the cookie book.

  • March 30, 2009 at 11:15 pm: Jay

    I really want to make this salad now! You did so good on the show! Your awesome!

  • April 3, 2009 at 1:07 pm: Mary

    God, that guy is obnoxious. If Good for you for telling the people about veganism. Yummy, easy salads. I make that edamame all the time with diced red peppers.

  • April 7, 2009 at 6:50 pm: Allison

    Rad! Great job handling the morning news anchors – so much pep at so early an hour. I’ve made both those salads and they’re delicious!

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