Pure Thyme

For a Balanced Life

Giveaway! Chef AJ’s Unprocessed Cookbook

By

Chef AJ’s Sweet Potato Nachos

 

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I recently had the pleasure of receiving three cookbooks to host my first giveaways, which is something I’ve never done here before. Life has been hectic and these giveaways have been on the back burner. But, finally after much delay, I’m starting with Chef AJ’s cookbook Unprocessed, and what a great place to begin.

The cookbook not only has pages of amazing recipes, but it also details her personal story and how diet and nutrition can reverse and cure disease. It’s all about obtaining your ideal weight while creating easy, healthy and delicious recipes. This has been my main goal since I started this blog and I know it’s the goal of many. We want to eat healthy, but we also want recipes that won’t make us feel we are missing out on anything, me included. Well, that’s what you get with this cookbook. Chef AJ knows how to make incredibly tasty food and still make it healthy. Here’s a peek at some of the recipes you will find. How does Banana-Strawberry Chocolate Mousse Torte sound or Perfect Pesto Stuffed Mushrooms – oil-free and amazing. I have tried several of her recipes and have yet not been disappointed. Chef AJ’s Unprocessed is a great addition to any bookshelf.

Out of all the irresistible recipes I could have chosen to share for this giveaway, I decided to share Chef AJ’s Sweet Potato Nacho recipe. A very simple recipe to make, but my family loves nachos and the thought of sweet and spicy – a combination I can’t resist – was extremely appealing to me and I just had to try it. This recipe was easy to make and had all the flavors I love. My family pretty much licked the plate clean and I won’t hold it against you if you do the same – go for it. =)

Only recommendation that I have is to keep a close eye on the sweet potatoes so they don’t burn. Oven temperature and times vary as we all know so take that into consideration. These baked amazingly well on my non-stick baking mat and is a great investment if you don’t already have one. I highly recommend purchasing, it will save your trays and you money in the long run. =)

Printable Version

Chef AJ’s Sweet Potato Nachos

Ingredients:

Sweet potatoes (one per person)

Method:

Preheat oven to 450 degrees F. Cut sweet potato in uniform slices, approximately 1/4″. Place on Silpat or non-stick baking sheet and sprinkle with smoked paprika. Bake for 20 minutes, flip over and bake for another 10-15 minutes until done. These are “the chip” part of your nachos.

Assembly:

Place several sweet potato “chips” on a plate and fully load them with oil-free refried beans, chopped tomato, corn, cilantro, onion, olives, jalapeño peppers or anything you would normally enjoy on your nachos.

Chef’s Note: I like to create a “nacho bar” and let guests build their own nachos. If you use organic sweet potatoes there is no need to peel. Lots of fiber and nutrients in the skin.

* I topped our nachos with pan-toasted black beans, fresh salsa, jalapeño pepper slices (only for the adults), green olives, cilantro, some Daiya, drizzled with some fresh lime juice. The results were fantastic. =)

And now for the GIVEAWAY!!

One lucky reader will win Chef AJ’s cookbook Unprocessed.

To enter the contest, leave a comment telling me what recipes or something new you would like to see on Virtually Vegan Mama. Don’t forget to leave your contact information so I can let you know if you win. =)

BONUS ENTRIES

You MUST leave each entry as a separate comment or only one comment will count.

  • Subscribe to Virtually Vegan Mama
  • Like Virtually Vegan Mama on Facebook and leave a comment on my wall.
  • Follow Virtually Vegan Mama (@virtveganmama) on Twitter
  • Tweet about this giveaway and tell me that you tweeted in the comments section; “I just entered to win Chef AJ’s cookbook from @virtveganmama”
  • Share this giveaway on your Facebook Page and tell me that you did so in the comments section
  • Stumble this giveaway
  • Pin it

****This Giveaway is now closed****

All entries must be completed no later than Monday, February 27th 2012,  at 11:59 p.m. EST.

Winner will be announced on Tuesday, February 28th 2012, on my blog, and the winner will also be notified via the email address they provided in the comments section.

Good Luck!!!

xoxo,

Jen

Comments

  5. melanie says

    I would love to see more recipes with sweet potatoes! I could eat them every day so I would love to have some more options! These nachos look so yummy!

  10. Rechel says

    I liked and shared the giveway on Facebook. I would like to see more dessert/snack type of recipes. Sweets are my downfall and if I don’t get to eat them I binge, binge, binge. I am new to vegetarian eating and have been having a really hard time lately 🙁 I know health wise its probably the best thing for me.

  11. Michelle Ortiz says

    I would love to see more soup recipes since I make soup every weekend for lunches throughout the week!

  12. valerie says

    I subscribe by email. I had a chance to meet Chef AJ in person at a Whole Foods store–very dynamic. I would LOVE to win the book!

  14. Molly says

    I’ve already loved you on FB and pinned this delicious looking bit of yumminess!! :-)Thank you for offering this book, Jennifer!

  15. Junia @ Mis Pensamientos says

    i love the idea of using sweet potato chips for a nacho bar! haha that is so true about dieting or healthy eating, we always feel like we are missing out on something, but in reality, all of those foods make us feel horrible after we eat them (funny how we don’t even remember that part when we indulge lol). these book looks awesome! hope your new house down south has become home to you. 🙂

  16. nik says

    Your recipe for Black Bean Apple Burgers really spins my spurs…I can’t wait to try it! I’m a burger fiend so I’d love to see more creative burger recipes like this.
    Many thanks!

  17. Natalie says

    I would like recipes or tips for toddlers (I’m new to your blog, so maybe this isn’t a new idea)

  21. Ora Emmerich says

    I really admire Chef AJ and would enjoy the book. I would like to find more recipes that kids like and that can be packed easily into a paper lunch bag!

  22. Joann@womaninreallife says

    These recipe looks so good. I am always looking for more vegan casserole recipes. I like to put something in the oven for an hour, and then make the sides and clean the dishes while it cooks! I love to sit down to dinner with the kitchen mostly cleaned up already.

  25. Nicole Belgarde says

    These sweet potato nachos look good. I’m going to try them! I’d love to see recipes with kale. I’m going to subscribe so I can read more. THanks!

  27. Sarah says

    I would love to see a truly fantastic veggie burger recipe without any faux ingredients like tvp! I have yet to find one that I really love.

  37. Rosemary Evergreen says

    I am always looking for sweet treats that don’t break the calorie and sugar budget – specifically, sugar & flour-free. I’ve been wanting to read Chef AJ’s book since I first heard about it!

  38. Heather says

    These nachos look amazing! And I just happen to have black beans & a sweet potato in my cupboard.

    I’m glad I figured out how to follow on google reader. It was a pain to keep your blog on my favorites list. Now I’ve got it!

    The book sounds great, I’d love to win it!!! 🙂

  39. Shannon says

    I have liked Virtually Vegan Mama on Facebook! I am a vegan mama and would love this book so I can learn how to cook my vegan meals without the use of oil!! Thanks for this opportunity!

  53. Ed says

    Love preaching the pitfalls of processed foods, seeing faces turn green (pun).

    Looking forward to another wonderful book.

    Ed

  54. Laura White says

    I love the sweet potato chips! I’d like to see exceptionally high protein meals to prove that you do not need animal protein for high protein. 🙂

  59. Laura White says

    I love the sweet potato chips! I’d like to see exceptionally high protein meals to prove that you do not need animal protein for high protein. 🙂

    Also subscribed by email and liked vvm:)

  62. Carol says

    I subscribed! Can’t wait to be on your list and maybe win a hard copy of your awesome book- I have it on Kindle.

  67. Kathy aka Veganmimi says

    I subscribed to website, liked you on FB and will repost this on FB 😉 One recipe? How does a person choose just one recipe?? All the food I have seen you have posted looks YUMMY!!!! Now I am on to make some of them. First starting with something chocolate. Now to narrow down which one. Maybe I need to make a couple 😉

  72. June Frasure says

    This is a great site thank you for doing this!
    Thank you for the opportunity to win a cook book.

  82. Teslaca says

    Nice giveaway! I’d love to see more cookbook reviews on your site even if they aren’t also giveaways. It’s hard to decide which books to buy so I like to read other opinions on them.

  87. Kristy says

    I have liked your fb page, shared it on my page, and subscribed via email. I would love a copy of Chef AJ’s cookbook Unprocessed.

  90. Aurora says

    Just want to say thanks for sharing this recipe. My sister and I are allergic to corn but LOVE Mexican food. I made these for us tonight and they were amazing. I used all organic/local ingredients and chopped/shredded everything by hand. My only addition was mixing cilantro directly into my refried beans!

  91. Caralee says

    i love backpacking and enjoying the great outdoors. It would be great to get some recipes you can take backpacking,and that doesnt weigh a ton. i’m thinking more of healthy bar type things, that have lots of nutrients packed in them.