Get your microwaves out, people!

First off, let's be honest here. We all love food, but sometimes cooking just plain sucks. Especially with all those damned dishes that sit there afterwords while you enjoy your freshly-cooked feast. Well, I have found the perfect thing for you. It's called PETA's Vegan College Cookbook and it is amazing! Think this is another one of those freaky cookbooks that tells you how to make bean sprouts 1000 different ways? YOU'RE WRONG! I was fortunate enough to get a minute with Marta Holmberg (she's the one with the brown bunny), the co-author of this literally life-saving cookbook, during a busy day in the office that probably involved sending out lots of cute stickers and some soy hot chocolate. Here's what she had to say.

Beau: Your new cookbook, PETA’s Vegan College Cookbook, has been on the shelves for a couple months now. How has the response been so far? I bet that it is definitely helpful to everyone who has gone back to school this fall.

Marta: We've had a tremendous response so far! Everyone from high school students to college students to busy people everywhere is saying that they love the cookbook, which is wonderful. The point of the cookbook is to show people that if you can be vegan in a dorm room in college, you can be vegan anywhere, and I hope that everyone has been learning just how easy being vegan is and how delicious vegan food is!

What sort of things can your average high school/college student hope to get out of this book? Buying it guarantees that you'll become a gourmet, knife-wielding compassionate chef, right?


This cookbook will show you that anyone can cook. Many people think that they don't have any culinary abilities because the stove can be a bit more intimidating than a microwave, as there's more room for error. Cooking in a microwave is easy, and with 275 recipes that are so simple you only need a microwave to make them, everyone will learn how to make things such as pasta, cake, bread, soup, and tons of other delicious vegan food! 


There are a ton of myths about cooking without animal products and making vegan food. What are some of the worst ones you've encountered and how do you disprove them?

Probably the worst myth about vegan food is that it's gross—that couldn't be further from the truth! Many people hear "vegan food" and think of lettuce, berries—that sort of thing. But vegans eat everything that your average meat-eater eats—just without the meat, eggs, and dairy products. There are so many wonderful alternatives to animal derived products these days, especially in California, where you live (and where I'm from). I show people that vegan food is indeed delicious by making food for them! I use soy milk or rice milk in place of cow's milk, whip up tofu scramble with delicious veggies instead of scrambled eggs, and replace the meat in dishes with any of the many, many alternatives that are available these days (such as veggie dogs, Tofurky deli slices, veggie burger crumbles, and meatless riblets). It's so important to show people how absolutely delicious vegan food is. But beware! People will probably try to eat all your food if you start making recipes from the cookbook for them. :)

People also have a lot of excuses for not going vegan or trying vegan food. Do you have any advice for people who are thinking about ditching cruel meat, dairy, and eggs?


Just dive right in, and don't be afraid to be adventurous. I always ask people, "What's the worst thing that can happen?" You don't like the dish? Tweak it and make it better. You do like the dish? You might have just found a new favorite food! I recommend starting off with foods that you typically eat and veganizing them. For instance, if you love lasagna, simply use veggie burger crumbles instead of ground beef, and use tofu ricotta in place of the dairy ricotta mixture. Easy, delicious, and cruelty-free!

I'm sure people are going to be running out to the bookstore to get the Vegan College Cookbook now, but do you have a favorite recipe to share in the meantime?


Sure! Try the "Breakup Pudding" (and share with a few friends!):



Nothing mends a broken heart quite like sitting in bed in your pajamas, watching hours of reality TV, and eating an entire bowl of this chocolate pudding.

1 pkg. firm silken tofu, crumbled

1/2 cup + 2 Tbsp. sugar

1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder

2 1/2 tsp. vanilla extract

Pinch of salt

Blend all ingredients in a food processor or blender until creamy and thick. Chill.

Makes 4 servings

Thanks, Marta!

PETA's Vegan College Cookbook is available at Bookshop Santa Cruz and other, larger, more corporate bookstores. You can also get it online. Check out the book's amazing website for more recipes and other cool stuff.