
*** Per the instructions in this post, the giveaway ended on Sunday night, 01/23/2011.***
It's not often that I cook from a cookbook from beginning to end. It's not often that I do it twice. Three times. And it's not often that a cookbook becomes like the postcard of a very dear friend. Something you read over and over for fun, to learn, because it touched you somehow. That's how I feel about Carrie's book, Deliciously Organic. That's how I feel about Carrie.
A year ago, I had no idea who Carrie Vitt was. I had no idea I would be privileged to bring her recipes, her family and her words to photographs. I had no idea, just a faint and distant skip in my heart, that we would become friends. When work allows you to connect beyond the image, to understand someone's journey and decisions, you can't be anything but grateful.

I know, I know. I am biased. Of course I am! Not only was I given a tremendous "first" cookbook to shoot, her first to write, but all the hard work and the hours spent dissecting recipes and looking over hundreds of images really paid off. Huge thanks to IFP, her publisher, for putting the highest quality demands on both of us. And to the amazing crew of people working on it.
We ate well for the two weeks I worked on her book. We ate very well. Carrie came during the shoot and her recipes took on an even greater dimension. We talked about her reasons for going organic and non processed. We discussed and commented. We established a dialogue and an area of mutual quiet respect. Through food. As it should be.

If you are looking for organic, unprocessed, wholesome ingredients, Carrie's recipes are simply put just pure gourmandise whether you are making Sour Cream and Lemon Pancakes with Blueberry Puree, Grandma's Crawfish Etouffee, Roasted Red Onion and Pear Salad, or the Pecan Coconut And Cherry Granola and the Tomato Basil Quiche in the pictures here. (click on continue for recipes at the bottom to get the granola recipe.)
If you are puzzled with the what/why/where of going organic, Carrie's story and subsequent journey and discoveries will provide some pointers and ways to explore. Carrie's tone is never preachy or condescending. It can't be. You realize that when you meet her in real life, trust me. So you listen or read. And you learn. And you share.
Of course I want her to do well! I loved photographing this book! I can't wait to start on her second! I loved the work but first and foremost it's not everyday that you first cookbook shoot turns out to be one you handle from ingredient shopping to post processing all by yourself and still leave you elated and rubbing your belly for more good food.

Every dish in this book was photographed, then eaten. That chicken on the back cover? Man...it came out hot from the oven, we set it down on my table, photos were taken and we ate it but a big salad simply dressed of lemon juice and olive oil. I have dreams about that chicken. Yep, I planned every work day around a set menu: one breakfast, one entree, two sides, one dessert. Oh yes...
Again. We ate well. Very well.
And we still do. And now you can too! In honor of Carrie's book release, I have one copy to giveaway to a lucky reader among you! All you have to do is leave a comment on this post and a winner will be picked at random on Sunday night 01/23/2011, midnight eastern time. One entry per person, no anonymous please. I will ship anywhere in the world.
Carrie....I am so flipping proud of you! Virtual flowers and Champagne to celebrate!

Notes: I know...where's the quiche recipe, right? In the book....we can't give you all that's inside the book but I urge you to try it as you as you can. That recipe alone will make for better Sunday mornings...trust me!
Pecan, Coconut and Cherry Granola, printed with permission of Carrie Vitt.
Makes about 8 cups
1 cup (185gr) whole cane sugar or sucanat
¾ cup (180ml) organic maple syrup
4 cups (440gr) rolled oats
1 ½ cups (130gr) coconut, unsweetened
1 ½ cups (150gr) dehydrated whole pecans, or pecan halves
1 cup (160gr) dried cherries, lightly chopped
Preheat your oven to 350ยบ and adjust the top rack to the middle of the oven.
Whisk sugar and maple syrup in a small saucepan over medium heat until almost smooth. Pour the oats, coconut, pecans into a large bowl and then pour the syrup over them. Stir gently until the syrup coats everything. Spread mixture onto a large baking tray lined with parchment paper. Bake for twenty minutes. Remove from oven and cool completely. Break into pieces and add the dried cherries. Add dried fruit after you break up the granola into loose bits and large pieces. Sore in an airtight container.
443 comments:
«Oldest ‹Older 1 – 200 of 443 Newer› Newest»Everything looks delicious. So happy for you! And I'd love to have Carrie's cookbook!
What an amazing project! Organic is definately the way to go. The recipes sound amazing. I'll have to try that granola, I've never done it with cherries before :)
These are beautiful photos. The quiche looks divine!
This all looks amazing - I'm going to have to try the recipe, & look for the book.
Well done!
so beautiful! thankyou so much for sharing with us!
What a fun mix of granola!
you have such a beautiful life. thank you for sharing it with all of us :D
It's midnight right now...and looking at those pictures makes me so hungry!!! Would love to be the lucky one to get Carrie's book. :)
I would love to prepare this tomato basil quiche, and savour it...looks so delicious.. The pictures are amazing..
Beautiful photography as usual, and the recipes sound delicious!
Congrats! It looks fab. Thanks for hosting this giveaway!
Wonderful pictures as usual! I would like to cook and eat organic and non-processed, but it's sometimes difficult to find good recipes. This book will surely help!
Your beautiful pictures just made my day, this quiche looks fantastic! Oh, and I must have this book, if I don´t win it I will buy it anyway... ;-)
So beautiful and inspiring... Wow.
I am so intrigued by your story, and really eager to be convinced to go organic! Plus, I can't get enough of your photos!! I would love love love to win this cookbook!!
Thank you for this giveaway! Have a beautiful weekend.
adiluria (at) yahoo (dot) com
Love the fact that you planned each day's shoot around a menu - what brilliant working days they must have been.
Sarah
Oh fab a giveaway I can enter. Your photo's are gorgeous I would love to have them in book form!
xx
I can feel the kind of inspiration you got from Carrie and her book. It's amazing and I want it, too!!!
Beautiful pictures for what seems very yummy food!
Thanks Martina
Can I win please:)
I am from the Netherlands
Greetings from Elise
Wow, love those recipes you mentioned on this post. Would be nice to win a copy of the cook book for a healthy start in 2011. Thanks for the giveaway!
I am getting hungry by just looking at the pictures :-) I am sure the book will be a great success!
Wow, the granola looks great - never even considered trying to make this myself - must give it a shot when I'm out of my current "bought" supplies.
amazing photos, as always :)))
and I really would love to get my hands on Carrie's book, the quiche looks super delicious!
those recipes both sound and look crazy tasty!
wow this post is amaizing! pictures are beautiful as usual...and the book...I know I'll love it!
Carrie's cookbook looks amazingly delicious. The recipes look easy and delicious for home cooking. Thank you for sharing!
Being a student means I have to cook with such a tight budget. Therefore, it is a little bit impossible for me to buy organic ingredients which are more expensive than the 'normal' ingredients. I wish in the future, I can go organic too. :D Beautiful pictures as usual :)
Cheers
Thinking I will be trying this granola this week-end and I would LOVE to have a copy of her book! Thanks for sharing your beautiful work!!
Wow, it looks gorgeous! I'm definitely trying that granola and the chicken sounds heavenly.
Here in the UK we miss out on so many great US cookbooks - this isn't even available on the Amazon UK website - so I'd love to win :)
Your photos are absolutely amazing. Definitely the quality that I am striving for. :-)
Oh this book looks just wonderful. I cant say I've done much organic cooking but this makes me want to try it! Glad you had a lovely time cooking the recipes. I think I will be making that granola!
Thanks for the posts and the giveaway :)
We eat more and more organic. Certain things we do. It is so much more expensive so it is not always easy to do. We also eat mostly local and from my own garden which is technically organic.
I am quite sure with your photography the book is stunning. Congratulations to you both.
I am wondering about the chicken. Would love to get the book.
Lovely photographs. Lovely dishes. Lovely post. And - I suppose - lovely book. I think it wouldn't be easy to buy it here in Italy: cross my fingers... Ciao!
Both the photos and the food look delightful! Yum! And congrats to both of you.
love the looks of the granola!
It's always wonderful to find a friend through work. When your work is so creative and food related, it's hard not to.
congrats!! this book looks amazing too.
carmencooksblog at gmail dot com
Wow, what a fantastic job to have had :) I am so jealous! Your pictures are wonderful and the food looks delicious.
Both the granola and the quiche look absolutely delicious!
I wanted to buy it at bookdepository but it sais it's already sold out! So you're my hope ;-) Your photos are simply amazing!
Everything looks amazing! The pictures are making me drool over here! Congratulations on such a beautiful project!
The photos are lovely and the recipes look very tempting. Congratulations!
Your photos are simply perfect, the food looks so irresistible.. and if you have dreams about that chicken.. I just need to cook it :)
I would buy the book solely for your pictures!
Very inspiring! She seems like a lovely person!!
so gorgeous...
OMG i'm dying to have this book already!!
Beautiful photos, as always. I've added the granola to my to-do list. I'd also love to read Carrie's story!
I always look at your photos with admiration. Food is beautiful!
This book looks amazing. I would love to have a copy to start practicing organic cooking.
After your post I feel like I know Carrie! It is rare - at least in my world - to find a cookbook where the photos match the recipes in beauty and taste, but this one sounds like it will do just that. And more. I would love to win a copy of the book. Fingers crossed!
I definately love the tomato and basil quiche :)
Both of these recipes look incredible! I have been eyeing this book since it came out...I'm definitely investing in it if I don't win!
I would love to try some of these recipes! The book sounds delightful.
What a great opportunity to photograph that kind of book! Looks fantastic!
What a beautiful and unusual shape for a quiche. I need to get me an oblong tart dish!
Ooh, pick me pick me! Her book is on my wishlist :)
Congratulations! I am so very hungry just looking at your post. I'd love to have this book :)
Looks scrumpish!
lovely post & as always beautiful verbiage & photography!
thank you for inspiring me!
As usual, amazing photos and food. I'm all over the tomato basil quiche. Is it wrong to be dreaming of summer tomatoes already?!
Your photos are amazing!
Those recipes sound delicious! Having a cookbook that you were part of making would be so great.
We recently watched Food Inc and now we've been so much more conscious about where our food comes from, I'd love a cookbook that features fresh, unprocessed foods!
The photographs look amazing...I can't decide what I'd want to try first!
oh my goodness! i have to make that tomato basil quiche this summer! i hope i win!
http://lachapstickfanatique.blogspot.com
It sounds like a fantastic cookbook - thanks for the giveaway!
what a lovely sentiment, as always! i'd love to get my hands on that book. thanks for the giveaway!
This cook book seems amazing! and i really love your photos!
I don't know if the book is available in France, so I take my chance :)
Thank for your wonderfull and inspiring blog!
cuisine_addict [at] yahoo.fr
The photographs drew me in, then reading your words hooked me. I must get this book!
Beautiful photography! That Quiche looks so good!
arlene
I love the notion of cooking with organic and non-processed foods, and I wish that there was more of those items available to all at good prices! That quiche looks amazing and I am real curious about the chicken . .
This cookbook looks amazing. I love the photos of the recipes. Congratulations to both of you!
oh please let it be me! :)
I'd really like to win the book! let's try!
Thank you for sharing your beautiful photography. If I win the cookbook I'm afraid I'll be tempted to rip pages out and frame them for my kitchen...
That quiche looks amazing. You have such an eye, there is always a unique twist to your photos.
Your pictures are amazing as always! :) I would love to win the cookbook.
This book looks delicious!
I'm so glad you posted about this book. It sounds right up my alley, and your pics are stunning!
Congratulations on a job well done! The photographs look amazing. I'm going to have to keep an eye out for this book (unless I win, I hope I hope!)
Love the pictures once again. I have been trying to go organic, even planting a larger garden here at home. Thank you for sharing your talents!
sounds great!
I am so excited for you and for this book - this way of eating is right up my alley!
Wow! I look so forward to experiencing the same satisfaction and culinary delight in Carrie's new book. Congratulations on a brilliant collaboration of talent!
Carrie's first cookbook looks fantastic! Can't wait to open it up and explore the recipes myself! Congratulations to you both!
That tomato tart looks delicious!!!!
looks absolutely delicious, as always! thanks for the inspiration.
what a wonderful idea for a cookbook! my new years resolution is to go less processed this year. congrats!
Wow, beautiful work from both of you. Organic and clean is my kind of meal!
How delicious those pictures look! You have definitely inspired my dinner tonight... Now if only it was 17h00 so that I could rush off from work to start cooking!
The cookbook sounds amazing! Thanks for the chance to win a copy!
These recipes sound delicious and the
photos are fabulous
Love this pictures! I can't wait to try some of her recipes!
Congratulations to both of you! The tart and granola both look to die for... I am now going to have to purchase the book if I don't win! :)
That quiche looks divine!
This cook book looks great...your pictures are amazing...as usual
Thank you for sharing your world, food and discovery with us!
Lovely pictures...as always. And a beautiful story to go with them. Thank you. I can't wait to try the granola.
I'd love to read this! I know it will be lovely.
Heather
Gorgeous photos! I can't wait to try the recipes.
The cookbook sounds like the kind I love to read. Hope I get picked.
Your photos are delicious, and this granola is making me drool! I would love to win this book. It sounds awesome :)
What a "teaser"! This book looks fabulous, and I have no doubt that it will be added to my collection very soon. Congratulations on what appears to be a wonderful collaboration.
This cookbook sounds great... I love the ones that read as good as a novel
This looks like a beautiful and tasty book!
Looks beautiful!
I love your comment that begins with, "When work allows you to connect beyond the image". Many of my lifelong friendships that began at work transcended beyond just "co-worker" status also! I am eager to incorporate more unprocessed ingredients into my family's already healthy diet. Thank you for your beautiful blog and this opportunity.
Judy
Such a huge accomplishment for you both! Congratulations! I can't wait to see it =)
That tomato basil quiche looks ah-maze-ing. Thanks for the great giveaway!
The granola looks awesome. Thanks for the giveaway and the recipe! Can't wait to make it :)
i can't wait to try this recipe! it looks so good.
The roasted red onion and pear salad sounds especially delicious. And I'm curious about the sour cream pancakes because I just made a chocolate sour cream cake this week that had sour cream in the cake and the frosting. The frosting was absolutely delicious, but the cake turned out dry-ish. All the best to Carrie! And I love the photos, too, of course!
The tomato basil quiche looks delicious. And what an unusual shape!
What lovely photographs, as always. You're amazing Helene! b
Thank you for this chance for the cookbook.
This looks WONDERFUL! Congrats to both of you- Can't wait to find the book and try out some of these recipes!
I'm running to the kitchen to make me some granola... looks delish!
Absolutely beautiful. Congratulations on the book (to you both!).
Congrats to both you and Carrie on this cookbook.
YUM! I just have to try the granola and I can't wait to read more recipes. I must buy a copy of the book if only for the Sour Cream and Lemon Pancakes with Blueberry Puree recipe. Sounds delicious!
Oh, yum. I love granola. I also love cookbooks, especially cookbooks like this - real food.
I've been eyeing this cookbook for sure and would love to win it!
Lovely! I've never used maple syrup in granola, I look forward to trying it. Beautiful photos as always.
that quiche DOES look amazing. thanks for the giveaway!
Thats great ! Can't wait to see the book...
OMG that tart looks amazing...I need the book just for that recipe!
Your photography always amazes me (and makes me hungry). I love food as well, and create it in toy form for children to appreciate more complicated foods than a plastic pizza slice.
This cookbook sounds amazing! Thanks for hosting this giveaway!
Photos are beauuutiful! congratulations!
I was already lusting after this cookbook - now a giveaway! Yeah!
Wonderful giveaway!
I'll have a slice of that quiche!
I would LOVE this cookbook. When you said "Grandma's Crawfish Etouffee", I knew I had to have it one way or another. Let's just hope I win it!
Sounds delicious! I am in awe of all your cookbook photographing--everything you do is so beautiful!
--Elizabeth from Cake or Death
This looks like a cookbook I would absolutely treasure!
I have followed Carrie's blog for the last couple of years, as I have followed yours. I love that she has a cookbook and I LOVE that you took the pictures! It's like two virtual friends coming together.
I am dying to make that granola now that I've seen the pictures of it. Mmmmmmmmm!
I have been eating a mostly organic, but definitely an unprocessed diet for several years now. I can't tell you how good I feel and honestly, when I am polite and have to eat processed foods that someone else has prepared, I can tell the difference. What a great idea for this lovely cookbook, which I'd love to have for free... but irregardless, intend to get if not. Thanks for sharing this on your post and the great recipe for granola (I haven't bought granola in years, this recipe looks great, I can't wait to try it!)
This post is absolutely gorgeous -- from the photos to the skillful writing. I love the breath of springtime at the end with the tulips.
That looks phenomenal... yum. I thought I was full, but I'm pretty determined to fit in a snack now... :)
Maple syrup, unsweetened coconut and pecans are three ingredients that make it into nearly every batch of granola I bake! Looks simply perfect for breakfast, snacking and on a light dessert parfait.
Cheers,
*Heather*
So beautiful...will look for the book locally! I must try the quiche.
It all looks divine!
A cookbook with your photography in it? Sign me up!! :)
Hello Helene, this is my first time commenting on your site, but I've been subscribing for awhile. I had the good fortune to meet Carrie recently at Food Blog Camp 2011 in Mexico. She was such a delight! She told us all about the book and how much she loved shooting it with you. The photos are beautiful, of course! I must get the book to try that tomato tart. I am so happy for Carrie and wish her huge success with her book. Thanks for the post.
Yum yum yum! I'd eat it all! :)
Love, Andrea
http://doortopemberley.blogspot.com/
Ohhh, the cherries! YUM.
One of my big pushes this year is the organic push. Though we mostly buy organic fruit and veg, we've only just started buying organic, locally raised meat as well.
Everything looks lovely!
Blessings,
elizabeyta
Thanks for sponsoring this! I love the idea of using dried cherries in granola.
Photography and recipes A+...would love to own Deliciously Organic!
Wow! That looks and sounds like a deliciously lovely book. Definitely a must own! Thank you for sharing it with us.
That looks lovely!
This book looks great!!
hanibee8@hotmail.com
That looks divine, can't wait to mix up a batch! Thanks for the fantastic giveaway!
I want to eat that quiche right now!
The photos are wonderful. We try to eat as much organic as possible.
jinxy112 at gmail dot com
Wow, would love to win a copy of her book, sounds so delicious!
Your photos are so lovely and I'm thrilled to hear that the food is real!
MMM. The Tomato Basil Quiche looks gorgeous. I love the pecan and dried cherry combo for granola. My fave. I want this cookbook! Wow!
I would so much love to win a copy :)
Mmm!
That tomato and basil quiche looks delicious! The cookbook sounds very interesting!
I'm so glad you gave us this recipe on a Friday. I don't think I could have borne it if I'd had to wait to make this granola. Yum!
Can't wait to win/buy this cookbook! I know it will be fantastic!
Yum! Your description of the work and the food makes it a very tempting read.
Your photography highlights the delightful food!
Beautiful photos of beautiful food!
Hiiii
I'm following your blog from faaaaar away, but i'm still breathtaken by your beautiful photography...
Keep going!
Lea
Looks Delicious! I can't wait to try this great recipe!
The photos look delicious. I would love to win the book and cook organic. md at omnimail dot biz
Lovely photos!
Looks divine, healthy and decadent all at the same time!
Wow! Such beautiful pictures! I would love a cookbook that shows me ways to eat healthier.
I make parfaits with granola on top for special brunches with guests. They will be even more special with this granola, thanks for sharing the recipe!
You're such an inpiration Helen, when things seem to be taking for ever to take off with my school and I get frustrated with my photos I just pop over to your site and feel better and keep persevering. Thanks.
I'd love to have a cookbook!
Even in Sweden we appreciate your blog and all beautiful photos.
Wow. Those recipes look amazing! Can't wait to try them.
Oooh those fresh cherries...and fresh tomatoes...is it summer yet?!
Thank you for the giveaway!
it all looks lovely & delicious!
Congratulations! Everything looks delicious.
I literally want to eat the screen.
very timely for me and my family.
It has never occured to me to use dried cherries in granola! It sounds and looks fantastic, as does the cookbook!
i would love a copy!
I love the style of your photos. The blog is beautiful, so clean and crisp. Carrie's book sounds amazing and the food looks delicious and tempting. Thank you for sharing. I will keep an eye out for the book. Thanks again for the inspiration.
Beautiful pictures--enticing book! Would love to win a copy. :)
the pizza…!
These photos are lovely! The cookbook sounds really great...would love to check it out! :)
Everything looks so amazing and beautiful! I need that book for that quiche! sogoodandtasty@gmail.com
Gorgeous granola! We do organic as much as possible. Would love Carri's cookbook!
I'm going to have to get it one way or another for the quiche recipe!
This looks great! I've tried different styles of cooking unfortunately my checkbook has often limited my organic cooking. Sounds like it would be great to try!
That tomato basil tart looks sooo scrumptious! Please pick me for the book!!
I am so happy to see more cookbooks and blogs focusing in on Organic. The food world is changing.
The recipes mentioned have me drooling and the photographs only heighten my desire for this cookbook. Cross my fingers and I hope I get picked! Otherwise I am on my way to the bookstore.
Until then I will have to satisfy myself with some of that deliciously sounding granola. But where can one purchase dehydrated pecans? At my local health food store or Co-op? Are they just toasted pecans?
Your pictures always look so yummy! It would be great to add a copy of the book to my collection.
I'm so excited for Carrie's cookbook. I've been reading her blog ever since you featured her on your blog last year while you were taking the photos for the cookbook.
I would love to win this book! It sounds fabulous!
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