Hi! My name is Amandah. I am 24, live in Philadelphia, PA, and have been vegan for over 12 years.

I am in my 5th year of college, and work two amazing jobs: I am a full-time dog-walker and pet sitter, and I am a part-time educator at lululemon athletica. I absolutely love sports and being active. I participate in many sports, but my two biggies are softball and running. My goal is to complete an Ironman and to qualify to run in the Boston marathon. My other love is cooking. I grew up in a small town, and when I went vegan I didn’t have many food options. I ate a Subway Veggie Delight every day for lunch and pasta for dinner for over a year until I decided to start creating my own meals. I became driven to create meals that were absolutely delicious and vegan. I strive to create amazing food that happens to be vegan, not just to make “vegan food.” There are many misconceptions about veganism: that it is limiting, that it is boring, that it is expensive, and that it is difficult. None of the above! I love the challenge of cooking for non-vegans and squashing these ideas. My other, and most important, loves are my family and dogs!

How long have you been a Daring Baker/Daring Cook and what’s your favorite thing about being in the group(s) so far?

I have only been a Daring Baker for a month, although I did always want to be one. I’ve only been a blogger for a little over a month, and made sure to apply the second I started it! I started it to serve as an online recipe box for myself, and to share my recipes with others.

What’s your favorite kitchen gadget? How about your favorite kitchen appliance?

I have terrible kitchen appliances. I have a few cute things, but for the most part my things are from the bargain shelf at Target. My absolute favorite kitchen gadget is… this weird spoon. I don’t know where I got it or what it’s supposed to be: it’s a rounded rectangle. I don’t know, I use it for everything, though, and I love it!

Are you known for making a certain dish or dessert? If so, what is it?

I’m really big on cupcakes, and I use coconut in everything. I am also a huge fan of avocados.

Is there any recipe and/or technique that we haven’t covered yet that you’d really like to make/learn?

I’m new, but I’ve totally stalked the forums and looked at past challenges. I think it’s be cool to have an alternative baking challenge, in which everyone would have to make something using ingredients outside of their comfort zone. Of course, it’s always fun to find ways to do this to the posted challenges!

Do you have a favorite movie? Book? Genre of music? Actor? Actress?

I have a ton of favorite movies and books. Most of my books are cookbooks, though, and a mix of “vegan” and “non-vegan” at that. I bought Bobby Flay’s recent cookbook and met him at a signing. I love watching Throwdown! and making a vegan version of whatever the day’s topic is. I told him that I do this, and it was really the only time I saw a spark of personality (I think he was having a long day).

You’ve just won $5000.00!!! What would you spend it on?

I’d love to have a working vehicle! A text-messaging drunk driver totaled my car a few years ago, and I only got $2500 from the settlement. I bought a lemon VW Beetle. I bike everywhere, but it would be cool to have a car that didn’t explode from time to time. I would also love an espresso machine…

What is the ultimate comfort food to you?

Casseroles! And chocolate. I need chocolate DAILY. Oh, and coffee. I’m kind of addicted…

Which season (Winter, Summer, Spring, Fall) is your favorite.. why?

Is it lame to say I love all of the seasons? I really do! I love winter because of the holidays, snow, and the “fresh” feeling that is in the air. I love the summer because I absolutely love being outside and doing “outdoor activities.” Plus, the beach is my favorite place to be at all times. Spring and Fall are amazing. I love “hoodie weather.” I love biking during these seasons, it’s perfect. I love the transition to warm or cold.

Other than cooking and/or baking.. what hobbies do you enjoy?

Playing and watching sports. I’ve played softball since I was able to stand. I’m a pitcher and play first base. I am also a runner, and my goal is to be a triathlete one day. I am a die-hard Phillies Phan. I also love walking around the city with my dogs!

How long have you been blogging? Do you like it? What’s your favorite post you’ve written?

I’ve actually only been blogging since October of 2010! I always posted pictures of my food on Facebook, and would get tons of messages and comments for the recipes. Plus, I usually just make up my recipes and write them on random pieces of paper (that I always lose). I decided to start a blog to share my recipes with others, and really to serve as an online recipe box for myself. I have two favorite posts: one is my post for Almond Joy Cupcakes (amazing), and the other is one I did for the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show. My best friend, Chelsea (who lives in California), and I made petit fours for the show, and both of our creations came out perfectly. I really love themes, so this really pumped me up. Chelsea and I also do a feature every Monday called “Gossip Worthy Monday” where we make our own versions of a dish. Our favorite show is Gossip Girl, so we have this weekly “dinner party together.” We don’t get to see each other often, so this is a fun thing to look forward to every week.

What’s your favorite cookbook for desserts/baking? What’s your favorite cookbook for savory/cooking?

Hands down the best dessert cookbook is Vegan Cupcakes Take Over the World by Isa Chandra Moskowitz and Terry Hope Romero. They have such wonderful recipes that I use time and time again. My favorite cookbooks for savory cooking are actually non-vegan cookbooks. I like to veganize the recipes. I don’t really have a favorite- I usually just flip through them and find something to work off of.

Is there one food that you seriously dislike/hate? If so, which is it and why?

Gelatin. It’s just gross!

What’s your favorite flower and/or plant?

BASIL! Oh my goodness, how I love basil!

Do you have a favorite local restaurant? If so, why is it your favorite and what kind of food is served there?

I have two! The first is actually where I learned most of my technique: Horizons New Vegan Cuisine in Philadelphia. It’s an amazing upscale vegan eatery that I absolutely have loved to go to for years. The chef has been a guest chef (and the first to cook an all-vegan meal) at the james Beard House (twice!). I worked as a food runner for a few months before moving, but when I moved back I was offered the job of a cook! I was honored. I am self-taught, and have endless things to learn. The chef actually took me on, and taught me everything from knife skills to adding ingredients to taste. We also didn’t use spoons or anything, so I learned how to cook and flip seitan in a firey wok!

The second is this amazing Mexican place, Cantina Dos Segundos. They have endless varieties of margaritas and mojitos, and quite a few vegan options (that are to die for). My favorites are the vegan beef tacos with guacamole, the tempeh burrito, and the French toast (yes, they do brunch!).

Who taught you how to cook and/or bake?

Myself!

What’s your favorite holiday and why?

I love all holidays, but I think that my favorite is Halloween. I love themes, so being able to dress up and bring desserts to match really tickles my fancy. This past Halloween I was Snooki for the 8-hour class I had, and I made Peach Schnapps Snookie-doodle Cupcakes. For going out, I was Katy Perry (covered in candy and I carried a doughnut purse!).

Reading any good books lately? Which ones?!

I’m reviewing an awesome vegan cookie cookbook…

You’ve had a rough week. How do you relax after a rough week?

Hot yoga! My favorite thing is to make snacks and watch a movie with my boyfriend and dogs. In a dream world, I would go to the beach and be drinking coconut water in a hammock (with my boyfriend and dogs. And snacks). Coffee also relaxes me on a daily basis.

Where is your favorite vacation (holiday) destination?

Anywhere with a beach! But really, I love when I am able to visit family. My Mom lives in Texas, so I absolutely love when I can make a trip there. I’m hoping to visit Chicago and San Francisco (again) soon. I hope to visit London one day.

What is your favorite cooking/food related magazine? Why?

Bon Appetit. I like to base a lot of my meals off of pictures and/or ideas in that magazine. One of my clients subscribes, so I always get to check out the latest issue.

Do you have a food addiction?

Coffee and chocolate. I need both daily. Avocado is moving up the list quickly.

What did you eat for dinner last night? Did you prepare it or someone else?

I did hot yoga, so I wanted a filling and quick meal. I made lemon pepper pasta with EVOO, baked tofu, and avocado paired with a giant coconut water. Simple and delicious.

What’s your guilty pleasure?

I’m proud of all of the dessert I eat!

What kind of colors do you like? Pastels? Earth tones? Brights? Neons? Etc.

My favorite colors are black and gray. Wow, I am boring. I’m really big into purples, also.

If you had the choice of a free kitchen, bathroom, living room or bedroom makeover – which would you choose and why?

Obviously a kitchen!!! My dream home is based around the kitchen!

The Martha – Angel of Domestication or Minion of Evil? Why?

The Martha! She’s a little creepy, but she’s wonderful at what she does. I think the real question should be based on Paula Deen (who I ADORE)!

Do you watch any competitive cooking shows? Like Top Chef or Hell’s Kitchen? If so, which is your favorite and why?

I love love love Cupcake Wars, Food Network’s Challenge, Throwdown! with Bobby Flay, and Iron Chef (although, I usually have someone else watch the first five minutes, because that show can be really brutal if the secret ingredient is an animal).

What’s your favorite “sweet” spice? How about your favorite “savory” spice?

Hmm. I’m always running out of cumin. I use cinnamon in sweet and spicy dishes. Nutmeg is amazing.

If you could eat in any celebrity chef’s restaurant which restaurant would it be, and which chef owns it?

Giada DeLarentiis needs a restaurant! I would love for her to cook for me!

What’s your favorite herb to cook or bake with? Do you prefer fresh or dried?

BASIL! And THAI BASIL! And absolutely has to be fresh. I also love love love fresh dill.

Is there one recipe on your blog that you would like to share with us? If so, leave the link here.

Here is a super fun and absolutely delicious, EASY, recipe for a Pumpkin Pie Smoothie! I made this after having one that, well, was kind of terrible. I knew this was the best idea ever for a smoothie, so I made it so!

Ingredients:
(Makes 2 servings)
- 3/4 can pumpkin puree
- 2 bananas, sliced and frozen*
- 3/4 cup almond or coconut milk
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla
- 1 1/2 tablespoons brown sugar
- 2 teaspoons fresh ginger
- A few shakes cinnamon, nutmeg, and sea salt

Do you have a time saving kitchen tip you’d like to share with us?

Absolutely not. I made huge messes and take forever!

You can visit Amandah on her blog ...and it's vegan.