Book Reviews
The Chicago Diner Cookbook
By Chef Jo A. Kaucher
I've been fortunate to have the opportunity to dine at The Chicago Diner on several occasions during visits to the "Windy City." I have always wished there were vegetarian diners like this one all around the USA. Although this has not happened yet, readers anywhere can now enjoy dishes served at The Chicago Diner.
The Chicago Diner Cookbook includes recipes such as E-Z Artichoke Dip, Diner Hash (which includes tempeh), Sausage Patties (made with seitan), Quinoa Pilaf, Tofu Spinach Lasagna, Shepherd's Pie, Chocolate Mousse, and Gingerbread Cake. The book is vegetarian and includes many vegan recipes. Also, many of the recipes give substitute ingredients to easily make the dish vegan.
The Chicago Diner Cookbook (ISBN 1-57067-136-2) is published by the Book Publishing Company. This 160-page book retails for $12.95 in bookstores.
Reviewed by Debra Wasserman.
The Raw Truth
By Jeremy A. Safron
There's been lots of news lately about raw food restaurants popping up throughout the USA. Author Jeremy Safron has been active in the raw foods movement for the past decade. He was owner of Raw Experience, a restaurant in Hawaii, and now shares recipes from this establishment. Today, he continues to consult and advise several raw restaurants.
The Raw Truth serves up many interesting dishes, including Mango Pudding, Nectarine-Cardamom Soup, Green Papaya Salad, Carrot-Almond Pâté, Pumpkin Butter, Almond-Corn Croquettes, and Raw Fruit Pies. In addition, the book includes descriptions of many items found in a raw foods diet, including herbs, edible flowers, sea vegetables, algae, mushrooms, legumes, greens, roots, seeds, grains, nuts, fruits, and more. You will also find a few color photos of some of the beautiful dishes.
The Raw Truth (ISBN 1-58761-172-4) is published by Celestial Arts. For more information, visit <ww.tenspeed.com>. This book is 186 pages and retails for $18.95.
Reviewed by Debra Wasserman.
Baby Food
By Saxton Freymann and Joost Elffers
Anyone looking for a vegan-friendly children's book would love Baby Food. This incredibly creative, full-color picture book contains photos of young animals carved from only fruit and vegetables. For example, you'll find a kitten made from two white onions, a baby alligator made from a sweet potato, a chick made from a pear, and a piglet made from an orange. Kids will get a huge kick out of this book, seeing fruits and vegetables presented in a fun way. Wouldn't it be terrific if every library had a copy of this adorable book!?
Baby Food (ISBN 0-439-11017-3) is published by Arthur A. Levine Books, an imprint of Scholastic Press. The book retails for $12.95.
Reviewed by Debra Wasserman.
The Candle Café Cookbook
By Joy Pierson and Bart Potenza with Barbara Scott-Goodman
The owners of Candle Café in New York City are strong supporters of the vegetarian/animal rights movement, and their restaurant is a huge success. Now, you can sample their delicious fare, even if you don't have the chance to visit Manhattan.
The Candle Café Cookbook serves up more than 150 creative vegan recipes including dishes such as Gefilte Tofu (a vegan version of the fish dish), Sweet Potato and Watercress Soup, Arugula and Pear Salad with Raspberry Vinaigrette, Grilled Seitan Steak Heroes, Bar-becued Tempeh-Chipotle Burgers with Grilled Pineapple, Potato Gnocchi with Tofu Alfredo Sauce Roasted Corn-Pumpkin Seed Relish, Chocolate Mousse Pie, plus so much more.
An added bonus are the beautiful color photos found in this cookbook. Nutritional analyses are not included.
The Candle Café Cookbook (ISBN 0-6090-80981-4) is published by Clarkson Potter. You may purchase the book from The Vegetarian Resource Group by sending $23 per book (includes postage and handling) to VRG, P.O. Box 1463, Baltimore, MD 21203.
Reviewed by Debra Wasserman.
