Twin Cities Vegan Events

Download the recipes

## About Veg Forward

The publisher describes the book: “In this vegetable-forward cookbook, veteran cookbook author and food stylist Susan Spungen highlights the vegetables and fruits of each season–from spring to early summer to the bursting harvest of late summer, then ebbing into autumn and, finally, into the earthy flavors of winter.”

## This month’s featured recipes

In the recipe club this month we will discuss these recipes:

• Warm-Weather Farro Bowls with Grilled Tofu – pg 5
• Kale and Snap Pea Salad with Sunflower Seed Dressing – pg 39
• Simple Gazpacho – pg 83

optional

(vegetarian recipes can be made vegan with a simple substitution; recipe edits available in the recipe file)

• Red Lentil and Vegetable Soup with Crispy Spiced Chickpeas – pg 149
• Stuffed Spaghetti Squash – pg 187
• Slow-Roasted Tomatoes – pg 216

## Vegan Recipe Club General Details

The Vegan Recipe Club is for everyone—those curious about vegan cooking and those more experienced with it. The club explores plant-based recipes created by cooks of varying cultures and nationalities and cookbooks are suitable for the novice to experienced cook.

This club aims to feature recipes that are great tasting and support the health of participants. It’s a chance to build community with others interested in vegan cooking. Best of all, these meals also help the animals and the environment!

## How does it work?

In the month prior to the Vegan Recipe Club meeting, you can download the recipes for free from the top of this page.

Try making one or more of the recipes then come to share and discuss what you thought about them with the group.

The group is facilitated by volunteer Henry Patterson of Compassionate Action for Animals (CAA).

If you have questions about the recipes or the Vegan Recipe Club between meetings, email info@exploreveg.org.

## Join us online!

The club meets monthly on the third Tuesday of each month at 6:30 pm. Meetings are held via Zoom with passcode 467109.

Several times a year we host an in-person potluck in conjunction with the meeting. In 2025, our in-person potlucks will be in July and October. Keep your eye posted to the group page for more information.

You must purchase tickets here to attend this event.

You’ll enjoy:

• Drinks with fellow supporters in the courtyard. One cocktail, mocktail, or glass of wine is included with your ticket.
• A courtyard game—bring cash to play.
• Salad: Mixed greens with crispy tofu and mirin and lime vinaigrette
• Entree, pictured in event photo: Bamboo and cabbage with tofu
• Side: seasoned sticky rice
• A brief presentation on CAA’s work
• Dessert: Mango pudding with lychees and raspberries

#### More About the Chef and Restaurant

Diane is Le Cordon Bleu-trained and started her pastry career at Aquavit and Solera and eventually became the executive pastry chef at La Belle Vie. In 2014, she joined Soigné Hospitality Group as Executive Pastry Chef overseeing Spoon and Stable, Bellecour, and Demi. She has earned five James Beard semifinalist nominations and two finalist nominations in the nationally recognized category of Outstanding Pastry Chef.
Diane is inspired by her Hmong heritage and enjoys cooking sweet and savory dishes using locally grown produce.

#### Location and Accessibility

We’ll be using the restaurant’s courtyard and event space. This video shows you what its like.

The event is ADA accessible. There is on-street parking and a substantial outdoor parking lot with free parking a short walk away.
It is also close to the Mississippi River bike trail and on public transit.

Guests will enter via the courtyard, located at 1401 Marshall Street Northeast, Minneapolis, and be welcomed by Executive Director Laura Matanah and volunteers.

This event is full. Please sign up for another date at: Upcoming Volunteer Opportunities: Sign Up « Compassionate Action for Animals

Join CAA to serve a vegan lunch at Simpson Housing Services! Simpson provides shelter to around seventy unhoused people each night, and partners with community groups to prepare meals for shelter residents. This is a wonderful way to care for our Minnesota community in an animal-friendly, eco-friendly way.

Please sign up at the link above to receive the address and other information to prepare for the event. We will gather at 10:00am and together, we’ll prepare lunch in the kitchen, and serve food to residents. Once food service comes to a lull, we will take breaks in small shifts to join the residents for lunch. Afterwards, we’ll tidy up, and everything should be finished by 1:00pm.

CAA provides a meal for Simpson guests every month. Watch this space for another opportunity to participate!

Other Notes:

• Please dress comfortably, with closed-toe shoes.
• We expect to serve about 30 residents.
• Please keep in mind that this is a community service event. While we may explain more about CAA’s work or veganism if residents ask, it is not an outreach event.
• If you have any questions, please email Nicola at nicola.philpott@exploreveg.org.

🏆 Lulu EthioVegan has won multiple awards based on diner ratings, like the 2024 Vegan Chili Cook-Off, and the Second Place (of 24 restaurants) in the 2024 Twin Cities Vegan Chef Challenge. Both award-winning dishes, the Dinich Wot (Stewed Potatoes) and Chili are still available!

🧡 You’ll be able to connect with others around CAA’s other vegan programming and take a quick digital action to support animal welfare laws, as well!

Let’s show our support and appreciation for local businesses making a difference. Put your money where your values are. We hope to see you there!

Note: CAA Dine-out meals are always at the diner's individual expense. Diners are always asked to order only vegan items (in this case that is not an issue!)