Book Reviews
AGELESS VEGAN
By Tracye McQuirter, MPH, and Mary McQuirter
This book is written by a woman with a public health master's degree and her mother 30 years after they both became vegan. Each shares their experiences living a vegan lifestyle, as well as tips and recipes. The book is especially helpful for someone starting a vegan diet.
You will find 100 vegan recipes, including Mango Lassi Smoothie, Cashew Nog, Chia Berry Breakfast Pudding, Home-Style Grits, Artichoke Dip with Pita Chips, Summer Rolls, Lemongrass Noodle Soup, Cajun Quinoa with Okra and Tomato, Citrusy Dandelion Greens Salad, Braised Sesame Kale, Roasted Curry Cauliflower, Tempeh Panini, Vegetable Pot Pie, Savory Vegetable Quiche, Fudge Walnut Brownies, Perfect Pecan Pie, and Raspberry Cheesecake Tartlets.
The book is full of beautiful photographs and my only wish is that nutritional analyses were provided since this book is packed with healthy vegan recipes.
Ageless Vegan (ISBN: 978-07382-2020-8) is a 256-page book. It is published by Da Capo Lifelong Books and retails for $24.99. You can purchase this book online or at a bookstore.
Reviewed by Debra Wasserman.
MINDFUL VEGAN MEALS
By Maria Koutsogiannis
There are many unique dishes in this cookbook, such as Roasted Red Pepper Rigatoni Cake (a main dish), Easy Thai-Infused Coleslaw Salad, Green Waffles with Creamy Corn Salsa, Strawberry Ice Cream Cake, and Peek-a-Boo Chickpea Fudge Bites (a dessert). Along with the recipes, you will find gorgeous photos, helpful tips, and more.
Mindful Vegan Meals (ISBN: 978-1-62414-575-9) is a 208-page book. It is published by Page Street Publishing Company and retails for $21.99. Find this book online or in your local bookstore.
Reviewed by Debra Wasserman.
TAHINI & TURMERIC
By Vicky Cohen and Ruth Fox
This vegan cookbook features 101 modern Middle Eastern recipes that will spice up your meals. There are also beautiful photographs and lots of information on Middle Eastern cuisine as well as helpful tips.
For breakfast enjoy a Tahini Smoothie Bowl, Spicy Avocado Toast with Dukkah (an Egyptian condiment), Zucchini Fritters with Cucumber Yogurt Sauce, Falafel Waffles, or Nutty Cinnamon Rolls with Halvah Icing. Moving on to appetizers, try several varieties of hummus, Crispy Mini Meatless Pies, Bulgur Wheat Patties with Spicy Tahini Dipping Sauce, or Beluga Lentil and Baba Ghanoush Toast.
Next up are soothing warm bowls, including Hearty-Spiced Chickpea, Lentil, and Root Vegetable Soup; Saffron-Infused Cauliflower Soup with Sumac Oil; and Simply Satisfying Semolina Soup. Salad suggestions are Cannellini Bean and Farro Salad, Belgian Endive Salad with Pomegranate and Pumpkin Seeds, and Wheat Berry, Fig, and Pistachio Salad. You will also find rice-based dishes, such as Fava Bean and Fried Artichoke Basmati Rice, and Wild Rice Mjadra.
Main dishes include Caramelized Baby Okra in Tomato and Pomegranate Molasses Sauce, Tempeh-Stuffed Zucchini in Mint Tomato Sauce, Stuffed Grape Leaves with Figs and Blood Orange, Bulgur Wheat Pie, Slow Cooker Sweet and Savory Moroccan-Style Tofu, Roasted Cauliflower with Green Tahini, and Cannellini Bean and Meatless Sausage Stew.
There's a terrific bread chapter with recipes for Sweet Challah Rolls, Za'atar Flax Crackers, Gluten-Free Falafel Crackers, and Abuelita's Savory Bourekas. Finally, dig into the numerous dessert options, such as Tahini Truffles, Chocolate-Dipped Stuffed Dates, Coconut Turmeric Sweet Bread, and Creamy Tahini Cheesecake with Pistachio Crust and Fresh Pomegranate.
Tahini & Turmeric (ISBN: 978-0-7382-2010-9) is a 286-page hardcover book. It is published by Da Capo Lifelong Books and retails for $24.99. You can purchase this book online or from your local bookstore.
Reviewed by Debra Wasserman.
FROM THE KITCHENS OF YAMCHOPS
By Michael Abramson
YamChops is a plant-based butcher located in Canada. The book offers 75 vegan recipes that you might find in a deli and provides color photographs.
Sample main dishes include Beet Wellington, Szechuan Beef, General Tso's Tofu, YamBurger, Thai Tofu Burgers, Korean BBQ Ribs, Butternut Squash Steak, Coconut Peanut Curry, Seitan Loaf, and Ginger-Miso Meatballs. You can serve one of the entrées with a delicious appetizer or side dish such as Carrot Lox, Hunan Dumplings, Feta Cheeze, and BBQ Corn with Ginger-Agave Glaze.
Next, enjoy some dishes in a bowl, including North African Peanut Soup, Lemon Lentil Soup, Cranberry and Wild Rice Soup, Kale Caesar! Bowl, and Mediterranean Bowl. You'll also find salads, slaws, and dips, as well as sauces, salsas and chutneys.
No book is complete without dessert. Enjoy recipes for Chocolate-Banana Cream Pie, Rocky Road Fudge, Pumpkin Brownie Loaf, and Black Bean Brownies.
From The Kitchens of YamChops (ISBN: 978-1-62414-488-2) is a 191-page book. It is published by Page Street Publishing Co. and retails for $21.99. You can purchase this book online or from your local bookstore.
Reviewed by Debra Wasserman.
VBQ - THE ULTIMATE VEGAN BARBECUE COOKBOOK
By Nadine Horn and Jorg Mayer
This cookbook offers a wealth of creative vegan barbeque recipes along with helpful tips. Once you see the photos, you'll want to start grilling!
The Burgers, Sandwiches & Patties section includes Portobello Mushroom Panini, Plantain Patties, Grilled Cheese Sandwiches, and Quinoa and Chickpea Burgers. Move on to Steaks, Sausages & Skewers and you'll find recipes for Grilled King Oyster Mushrooms, Cauliflower Cutlets, Vegan Spareribs, Eggplant Steaks, and Spicy Chorizo.
Vegetables Stuffed, Grilled & Braised offers Roasted Carrots, Grilled Bok Choy, Crispy Potato Skins, and more. The Pizza, Wraps & Co., chapter serves up Pizza Arrabbiata, Grilled Butternut Squash Tacos, Grilled Pesto Tart, and Vietnamese Pizzas.
Next, sample recipes for Salads from the Grill or Otherwise, including Kale Salad, Marinated Fennel Salad, Grilled Potato Salad, and Crunchy Coleslaw. Sauces & Basics offer a Trio of BBQ Sauces, Green Chile Sauce, and Mango and Habanero Sauce. Finally, Bread & More recipes include Pull-Apart Bread, Sweet Potato Buns, and Hot Pickled Radishes.
VBQ - The Ultimate Vegan Barbecue Cookbook (ISBN: 978-1-61519-456-8) is a 224-page book. It is published by The Experiment and retails for $19.95. You can purchase this book online or from your local bookstore.
Reviewed by Debra Wasserman.
PROTEST KITCHEN
By Carol J. Adams and Virginia Messina
The front cover of this book says, "Fight Injustice, Save the Planet, and Fuel Your Resistance One Meal at a Time." The authors state that "what we eat (or boycott eating) is a sign of protest," along with marches, boycotts, and street demonstrations. Veganism is a form of positive change.
Carol has written several books on social justice, and Virginia is a registered dietitian with a degree in public health nutrition. This book provides a lot of information on veganism and the vegan movement along with vegan recipes. Daily action suggestions are offered, as well as many useful tips.
Some of the delicious recipes include Vegan Irish Cream, Tofu Corn Puffs, Soy Curl Bacon, Smoky Black Bean Burgers, Zucchini Brownies, and Tiny Little Chocolate-Nut-Cherry Thumbprint Candies.
Protest Kitchen (ISBN: 978-1-57324-743-6) is a 224-page hardcover book. It is published by Conari Press and retails for $16.95. You can purchase this book online or from your local bookstore.
Reviewed by Debra Wasserman.
