Lauren Hartmann - Southern Vegan

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For my husband, Chris, who has never and will never let me fall without being there to catch me.

For my daughter, Lenore, who is the reason I get out of bed in the morning.

For my dad, Ken, who has always made sure I knew I could do anything.

For my brother Ethan, who is probably the main reason Im doing pretty okay.

Southern flavors ignite something in us. Certain foods and aromas hold sweet nostalgia and bring delightful memories rushing back, and the colorful stories of our roots are sometimes wrapped up in collard greens and drenched in sweet tea. Whether youve chosen to live the vegan life or youre just looking to incorporate more plant-based recipes into your weekly menu, with this book, you dont have to lose any of those beloved flavors and dishes.

I grew up in a meat-eating household. My parents made food and I ate it without questionuntil I was about twelve years old. Consuming meat became an issue for me after researching the meat industry for a sixth-grade school assignment. It was the 90s and I had no concept of how to live life without eating meat. I didnt know a single person who was vegetarian, let alone vegan, and I was initially concerned that Id be missing out on enjoying all the food my family and friends made. My familys roots are southern, and I sure did enjoy eating fried chicken, meatloaf and mashed potatoes. The only vegetables I liked were broccoli and carrots!

While it took me a few more years to really dive into plant-based eating, I stuck with it and now its just a part of who I am. I dont eat animal products because I love animals and I care a great deal about the planet, but mostly, I just really dont want to confine myself to the standard American diet. And instead of telling others what they shouldnt eat, I prefer to show them the variety of things they can eat on a plant-based diet.

While in culinary school, I was told that I would never get anywhere in my field if I didnt eat meat. However, I stuck to my plant-based values and graduated with a culinary arts degree and a degree in baking and pastry. I eventually began working at a coffee shop where I was put in charge of developing a menu of fresh vegan baked goods. I spent days writing and testing recipes and I realized, damn, Im good at this. From there, I created The Raven Bakery, my very own vegan baked goods business. But I wanted more. I had so many recipe ideasnot just for sweet treats but savory dishes as well. And so Rabbit and Wolves, my blog baby, was born. It began as a conversation between my husband, Chris, and I. Hes a meat-lovers-pizza kind of guy, so if I could create vegan recipes that made his eyes roll back in his head upon first bite, then I must be onto something worth sharing with the world! We chose the name Rabbit and Wolves to describe me, a rabbit (plant eater), and everyone else in my family, wolves (meat eaters). Dedication to originality is the reason for my blogs success; so much time and energy have gone into creating unique content. All the hard work paid off and now Rabbit and Wolves is my full-time gig, and I couldnt be more satisfied. And its only getting better!

As a child, my absolute favorite foods were the southern staples I (and many of you) grew up eating. Luckily for all of us, veganism is the future. Many brands now carry vegan butter, and there are more nondairy milks than I can keep track of. Vegan cream cheese and yogurt are abundant. Vegan mayonnaise? No problem! It has never been easier to find all kinds of vegan products, so no matter what food you want to veganize, you can make it happen. Many of those nostalgic recipes from my childhood have been veganized using those ingredients and added to this book just for you. No matter your diet, you will find in these pages the southern-inspired food youve been craving. These recipes not only provide comfort for the soul, theyre also a joy to make and to eat. And theyre anything but boring. Enjoy!

As a girl who was born and raised in the South and also spent some time living in New York City, brunch might be my favorite thing ever. However, Im currently distressed by the severe lack of vegan brunch options in my town. Dont get me wrongI love a bowl of fruit as much as the next gal, but I need something a little more scintillating.

My friends, in this chapter youll find inspiring brunch options. Recipes that will make you excited to jump out of bed in the morning and declare to the world that you are here, you are important and you deserve a better brunch. Youll find that these southern comfortinspired brunch recipes are more fun than your typical late-morning meal options. Youll want to devour the is magical and will have all of your friends thinking you are a wizard. No longer will your Sundays be filled with sad bowls of fruit but with genuine brunch magic.

Sometimes I just want to cook all day, making a million different components for one meal and zoning out while I chop vegetables. The recipes in this chapter are for the other 364 days a year when I just want to eat something delicious that also happens to be quick and easy. Simplified vegan versions of your favorite southern comfort foods can be found here: gumbo, cheesy grits, pot roast and more! These crazy-easy meals are perfect for all our busy days. You know, the I gotta get something awesome on the table right now kinda days.

If you need a dump-everything-in-one-pot meal, check out the rich and unique flavor of the . So get acquainted with your new go-to weeknight mealstheyre proof that easy and delicious can go hand in hand.

Put on your bow ties and little black dresses, because the recipes you will find in this chapter are dressed to impress. These delightfully fancy meals may be a little more time consuming, but they are worth the wait. The amazing dishes in this chapter leave their mark on anyone who tries them. Meat eaters will be begging for more and asking you where you got the recipe.