Lobster Inspires Vegan Betty Crocker Project

by Annie Hartnett · 2010-05-11 10:00:00 UTC
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In my sixth grade cooking class, our teacher asked us to write letters to Julia Child to ask her to come to visit our school. I knew then that Julia Child had said she hated vegetarians, which I considered a personal attack. In no uncertain terms, I told her I hoped she would not choose to visit.

Many other vegetarians have felt the same way. Some boycotted Julie & Julia, the movie that chronicles Child's life. The movie also tells the story of blogger Julie Powell's year of cooking all the recipes in The Joy of Cooking. In the midst of that experiment, Julie struggles to boil lobsters alive. It was this scene that inspired vegan Annie Shannon to start a cooking and blogging project of her own.

Annie Shannon is veganizing the entire Betty Crocker Cookbook on her blog Meet the Shannons.

Unlike Julia Child, Betty Crocker is not a real person. The name was invented in the 1920's by Marjorie Child Husted (No relation to Julia Child!). The Betty Crocker line of products was meant to save women time and money in the kitchen.

Almost everything Annie Shannon has made from the Betty Crocker Cookbook looks delicious. Especially the reuben sandwich. I'm a little unsure about the vegan tuna casserole and the vegan cheeseburger pie, but if you miss those foods from your pre-vegan days, I'm sure those are great versions. Personally, I can't even say "tuna casserole" without gagging.

Annie's husband, Dan, is also involved in the project. While he has not cooked anything yet, he is enjoying eating her creations. He writes: "Seeing Annie so excited about the project has been the best of all."

Adorable. As for Julie Powell? Even Julia Child didn't like her.

Powell's latest book, Cleaving, is about her love of meat. She loves meat so much that she cheats on her husband with a butcher. Yup, I'll take the cute vegan couple.

Photo Credit: sneakerdog

Annie Hartnett is a writer and animal advocate who has worked for several wildlife rehabilitation centers and environmental programs.
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