Cookin' Crunk: Eating Vegan in the Dirty South

“Crunk” is a Southern term that means “to get excited.” Keepin' it real and makin' it fun, vegan blogger Bianca Phillips adopted the Southern slang term to convey passion and pride for her heritage and the down-home food she was raised on.

By incorporating country staples (beans, corn, and fresh produce) that have been the basis of Southern cooking for generations, Bianca offers no-frills, no-nonsense soul food dishes with a wholesome twist. These family classics, minus the meat, eggs, and dairy products, help keep traditional Southern foodways alive while allowing vegans, vegetarians, and anyone who cares about healthful eating to enjoy this satisfying down-home fare.

From cheese-free Ro*Tel dip and country-fried tempeh steak to eggplant jambalaya and smoky stewed okra and tomatoes, Cookin' Crunk offers plenty in the way of classic Southern comfort food. There's also a bounty of sweet treats that includes cobblers, bread pudding, dark chocolate bourbon pecan pie, and peanut butter and banana "Elvis" cupcakes.