BOOK REVIEWS
THE VEGAN AIR FRYER
By J.L. Fields
Air fryers have been popular in Europe for some time, and they are becoming more popular in the USA. Air frying is similar to convection cooking, whereby hot air quickly circulates around food and gives it a crispy texture. After glancing through this cookbook, you may be inspired to purchase an air fryer immediately.
The Vegan Air Fryer starts with breakfast and brunch recipes, so you can try making Doughnut Holes, Tempeh Bacon, and Sausage-Style Soy Curl Hash. Next, prepare some starters and snacks, such as Vegetable Egg Rolls, Spicy Mac 'n' Cheese Balls, Fried Tofu with Peanut Sauce, and Vegan Wings.
Side dish options include Parsnip Fries, Onion Rings, and Kale and Potato Nuggets. Serve those along with main dishes such as Sesame-Crusted Tofu, Corn Dogs, and Chick'n-Fried Steak. Finally, you can learn to make air fryer dessert items like Fruit Pastry Pockets, Apple Pie Taquitos, and Fruit Crumble.
You will find beautiful photos in this book, as well as helpful tips.
The Vegan Air Fryer (ISBN 978-1-941252-36-9) is a 192-page book. It is published by Vegan Heritage Press and retails for $21.95. You can purchase this book online or from your local bookstore.Reviewed by Debra Wasserman.
VEGAN RICHA'S EVERYDAY KITCHEN
By Richa Hingle
The author's Indian background shines in this cookbook. You'll find a wide range of creative vegan recipes starting with peanut butter- and coconut-based dishes like Peanut-Sauce Fried Rice and Red Curry Soup with Lentils. When you move on to the Sweet & Sour chapter, you can enjoy Crispy Sweet and Sour Tofu, Teriyaki Lentil Balls, and Manchurian Chickpeas and Broccoli.
The next section features Masala & Saag recipes, including Mushroom Matar Masala, Cauliflower and Chickpeas in Berbere Sauce, and Jackfruit-Split Pea Wot. As the Buffalo & Firecracker chapter suggests, you'll find spicy dishes such as Buffalo Chickpea Pizza with White Garlic Sauce and also Buffalo Lentil Tacos.
Burgers & More includes recipes for Quinoa Carrot Barbecue Burgers and for Sweet Potato, Peanut, and Chickpea Burgers. Bowls & Hands highlights dishes such as Laksa Curry Soup, Tempeh Broccoli Wraps with Jalapeño Popper Cream, and Baharat Chickpea Avocado Bowl. Then, Deep-Dishing includes Alfredo Spinach Pizza, Vegetable Lasagna, and Smoky Mac Bake.
Richa offers up original Breakfast for Lunch ideas, including Lentil-Vegetable Frittata and Samosa-Stuffed French Toast. Lastly, she provides numerous dessert recipes, such as Lemon Chia Pudding, Mango Cupcakes, and Almond Butter Snickerdoodles.
Vegan Richa's Everyday Kitchen features nutritional analyses, as well as beautiful photos produced by the author. This book would make a terrific gift.
Vegan Richa's Everyday Kitchen (ISBN 978-1-941252-39-0) is a 288-page book. It is published by Vegan Heritage Press and retails for $24.95. You can purchase this book online or from your local bookstore.
Reviewed by Debra Wasserman.
REAL FOOD, REALLY FAST
By Hannah Kaminsky
Hannah is the author of several vegan cookbooks, and her latest one serves up relatively easy recipes alongside beautiful photos. Starting with breakfast, she teaches readers to prepare Hash Brown Waffles, Pumpkin Spice Latte French Toast, or Tofu Shakshuka. Next, move on to snacks and appetizers, including Buffalo Buttered Pecans, Island Breeze Ceviche, Summer Corn Queso, and Wasabi Pea Fritters.
The author's Grilled Caesar Salad looks scrumptious, as does the Millionaire's Kale Salad. Either would pair well with one of these soups: Chickpea Mulligatawny, Manhattan Mushroom Chowder, or Tamarind Rasam.
Creative side dishes include Cruciferous Colcannon, Pan-Fried Balsamic Brussels Sprouts, and Smoky Chipotle Creamed Kale. Serve those along with one of these main dishes: Jamaican Jerk Chili, Pizza Waffles, Seitan Bulgogi, Tamale Pot Pies, or Walnut Bolognese. And of course, who can forget about dessert? Try S'mores Baked Alaska, Peppermint Bark Meltaways, or White Chocolate Peanut Butter Fudge.
Real Food, Really Fast (ISBN 978-1-5107-2759-5) is a 224-page hardcover book. It is published by Skyhorse Publishing and retails for $19.99. You can purchase this book online or from your local bookstore.
Reviewed by Debra Wasserman.
SWEET, SAVORY & FREE
By Debbie Adler
After the author's son was diagnosed with severe food allergies, she created the recipes featured in this vegan cookbook. All are free of the top food allergens, which include dairy, eggs, fish, peanuts, shellfish, soy, tree nuts, and wheat.
The Morning Munchies section begins with breakfast items such as Strawberry Shortcake Pancakes, Orange Rosemary Scones, Pumpkin Swirl Cinnamon Buns, and Quinoa & Kale Burritos. Next, a chapter features soups such as Cauliflower Chowder, Carrot Bisque, and Spicy Tortilla Soup.
Meals in Muffin Tins & Ramekins is a creative chapter offering recipes for Green Mac & Cheeze, Pot Pie Primavera, Cannellini Cupcakes with Whipped Parsnip, and Broccolini Tarts. You will also enjoy dishes from the Pizza, Pasta, Rice & Noodles section, such as Cajun Wild Mushroom Risotto, Sweet Onion & Potato Pierogi, It's All Greek to Me Pizza, Veggie Fried Rice with a Thai Twist, and Paella.
Moving on to entrées, the author includes Spanakopita Enchiladas, Green Curry Portobellos, Spinach and Basil Dumplings, and Krab Kakes. Serve them along with one of these side dishes: Sweet Potato Parsnip Fritters, Nectarine Salsa, Sea Vegetable & Cabbage Slaw, or Roasted Root Vegetable Hummus.
Another very helpful chapter features breads, such as Pumpernickel Bread, Banana Java Date Bread, Rye Bread Focaccia, and Stromboli. Finally, dessert items include Tiramisu Cupcakes, Candy Bar Cookies, Apple Cobblers, and more.
This book features a lot of useful information for allergy sufferers, including sources for ingredients. Beautiful photos also accompany many recipes.
Sweet, Savory & Free (ISBN 978-1-944648-04-6) is a 275-page book. It is published by BenBella Books and retails for $19.95. You can purchase this book online or from your local bookstore.
Reviewed by Debra Wasserman.
THE WICKED HEALTHY COOKBOOK
By Chad Sarno, Derek Sarno, and David Joachim
This book offers a wide array of innovative vegan dishes from some very talented chefs, many helpful cooking tips, a comprehensive appendix listing which recipes special dietary needs, and gorgeous photos. It starts off with First Bites, including Grilled Sweet Potato, Sriracha Caramel, and Kale Toasts; Minted Pea Ricotta; and King Satay with Spicy Peanut-Ginger Sauce. Next move on to Hand Helds, such as Green Forest Pizza, Jackfruit Carnitas Tacos, and Bánh Mì with Lemongrass Tofu and Ginger Aioli.
Nature's Candy includes desserts like Drunken Berries with Amaretto Gelato, a Kabocha Tart with Salted Almond Crumble and Espresso Syrup, and Almond Meringue Cookies. There's also a section called Wicked Healthy Juices and Cocktails that includes Iron Man Juice with beets, spinach, oranges, and bell peppers; Strawberry Basil Cooler; and grapefruit- and tequila-based Citrus and Spice. And in the Sauces and Basics section, you'll find Cauliflower Mornay Sauce, Homemade Badass Sriracha, Tomato Habanero Jam, Compound Butters, and more.
The Wicked Healthy Cookbook (ISBN 978-1-4555-7028-7) is a 320-page hardcover book. It is published by Hachette Book Group and retails for $30. You can purchase this book online or from your local bookstore.
Reviewed by Debra Wasserman.
