BOOK REVIEWS

The recipes in this vegan cookbook are inspired by cost-saving techniques used during the Great Depression and World War II. The average cost per serving is listed next to each recipe and you'll find lots of tips for saving money.

For breakfast you will find Cinnamon Roll Pancakes, Roasted Red Flannel Hash, and Banana Churro Waffles. Also, enjoy lunch recipes including Thai Vegan Chicken Slaw, Kale Caesar Salad, Sriracha and Sweet Onion Stew, and Chipotle Avocado Sandwiches.

Creative dinner options include Lasagna Bolognese, Cajun Nachos, Apple-Sage Tempeh Sausage over Savory Polenta, Yankee Vegan Pot Roast Dinner, Mac and Cheez Pie, and Samosa Pizza. Another chapter offers recipes utilizing leftovers. You can try Vegan Gyros, Spanish Rice Quiche, and Cowboy Quinoa Chili.

The Special Occasions chapter features sweet treats, including Salted Caramel Skillet Cake, Savannah Pecan Pie, and Carrot Cake Cookies. Please note that nutritional analyses are not included in this cookbook.

The vegan recipes in this cookbook are egg-free, dairy-free, wheat-free, gluten-free, and primarily soy-free. Nevertheless, you will find a wide range of recipes to serve your family and friends.

The chapter titled Staples offers recipes for Sandwich Bread, Nut Milk Yogurt, Herbed Soft Cheese, Vegetable Stock, Marinara Sauce, and other useful basics.

For breakfast you can try Blueberry Oat Pancakes, Apple Spice Muffins, and Quinoa Porridge. Moving on to lunch, enjoy Soba Noodle Summer Rolls, Red Bean Burgers, and Samosas. You can even serve a bowl of soup including Carrot Ginger Bisque, Kale Butternut Squash Bean Soup, or Italian Wedding Soup.

Throughout the day you can snack on Roasted Chickpeas, Kale Chips, or Nut Butter Energy Bars. Or enjoy a salad including Heirloom Tomato Salad or Purple Potato Nicoise-Style Salad.

Dinner options include Lentil Tacos, Spring Risotto Torte, Zucchini Piccata, Tamale Pie, Kebabs, Wild Chanterelle Mushrooms on Polenta Rounds, as well as Lasagna. Finally, for dessert you can prepare Chocolate Pumpkin Seed Brittle, Cashew Butter Shortbread, or Strawberry Surprise Popsicles.

Nutritional analyses are not included; however, most of the recipes appear to be quite healthy. Beautiful photographs are scattered throughout the cookbook.

This book features more than 100 family-friendly whole-food vegan recipes as well as helpful tips. You can start your morning off with Creamy Breakfast Rice Pudding, Savory Chickpea "Omelets," Cinnamon French Toast, Double Chocolate Orange Banana Muffins, or Pumpkin Seed and Chocolate Chip Oatmeal Breakfast Bars.

Lunch fixes include Chickpea Nibbles, Simplest Marinated Baked Tofu, Southwest Quinoa Salad, Red Lentil Hummus, Artichoke Spinach Dip, and Ultimate Cashew Cheese. For dinner time you can prepare Smoky Bean Chili, Creamy Fettuccine, Hummus Tortilla Pizzas, Artichoke Sunflower Burgers, Home Fries, Apple Lentil Dal, and Ultimate Teriyaki Stir-Fry.

Sweet treat options are Pumpkin Chia Pudding, Crazy Brownies, "Nicer" Krispie Squares, Vanilla Bean Almond Butter Fudge, Fudgesicles, Chocolate Sweet Potato Cake, Dreamy Baked Bananas, and Apple Nachos Supreme.

This cookbook has 125 relatively easy vegan recipes using a lot of fresh food. Roberto grew up in a Mexican-American family so you'll see some strong Mexican influences. Color photographs are dispersed throughout the book.

Among the basics, you'll find recipes for Roberto's Tofu-Rizo, Chipotle Nut Cream, Pickled Cauliflower with Lemon and Chili, Salsa de Tomatillo Asado, Cilantro Chimichurri Sauce, and Killer Blood Orange Vinaigrette. Morning options include a variety of smoothie suggestions, as well as Crisp, Flaky, Bad Boys (vegan croissants) and High-Fiber Banana Blueberry Muffins.

Lunch ideas include Tacos de Papa con Chorizo, Bad Boy Barbecue Sandwiches, and Spinach and Sundried Tomato Quiche. Soup recipes include Roasted Red Bell Pepper Soup, Pumpkin Curry Soup with Basil Oil and Toasted Hazelnuts, and Red Berry Soup. There's also a section devoted to greens. Enjoy Grilled Napa Salad, Shaved Fennel with Arugula Crunch Salad, and Celeriac Salad.

Side dishes include Balsamic-Maple Roasted Brussels Sprouts, Perfectly Baked Yam Fries, and Butternut Squash Soufflé. There is a variety of main dish recipes including Easy Barley and Farro Risotto, Coconut Curry Squash Stew, Quinoa Moussaka, and Jackfruit Soft Tacos in Guajillo Sauce.

Finally, for dessert try Amaretti Cookies, Sticky Date Muffins, and Apple Date Pecan Bars.

Enjoy 150 vegan/gluten-free French recipes organized by season, including Béchamel Sauce, Espagnole (brown sauce), Le Pain Perdu (French Toast), White Asparagus Velouté, Cauliflower Steak Frites (fries), Caramelized Onion Quiche, Vegetable Tian, Sweet Potato Boulettes (little balls), French Lentil Salad with Beets and Spiced Vinaigrette, Pancrêpes, and Matchai Tea Latté.

The book has photographs, as well as beauty tips and yoga poses. Nutritional analyses are not provided.