BOOK REVIEWS
VEGAN RESET
By Kim-Julie Hansen
Are you or someone you know just starting on the path to vegan living? If so, Vegan Reset, could be a very helpful cookbook. Twenty-eight days of vegan meals with shopping lists, weekly prep guides, and daily menus are included. Most of the meals are straightforward, perfect for beginners.
An example daily menu might be a Blueberry Granola Bowl for breakfast, Avocado-Kale Salad for lunch, and White Bean-Squash Bowl for dinner along with fresh pineapple as a snack. Another day's menu is Overnight Oats, Tortilla Bean Salad, Veggies & Tahini, and Tofu & Rice Spring Rolls with Peanut Dip. All the recipes are provided.
Vegan Reset (ISBN: 978-1-328-45403-4) is a 304-page book. It is published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt and retails for $24.99. Find this book online or in your local bookstore.
Reviewed by Debra Wasserman.
VEGAN RICHA'S INDIAN KITCHEN
By Richa Hingle
Richa Hingle is a food blogger. She both wrote this cookbook and took all the photographs. In the introduction she teaches readers about Indian spices and the best ways to use them. She also explains the best way to serve Indian cuisine.
Enjoy breakfast items like Spicy South Indian Tofu Scramble, Mom's Chickpea Flour Pancakes, Indian Spiced Milk Tea, and Savory Pan-Fried French Toast. Small plate and snack choices include Baked Potato Samosas, Potato Quinoa Patties, Sweet and Spicy Baked Cauliflower, Onion Chile Fritters, and Biscuits.
The next chapter introduces readers to sides and dry vegetable curries such as Potatoes and Greens Stir-Fry, Sweet and Sour Pumpkin, Okra in Sesame Coconut Sauce, and Mashed Spiced Eggplant and Mild Peppers in Peanut Coconut Sauce. There's a section devoted to dals made with lentils and beans, including Yellow Lentils with Spinach, Brown Chickpea Curry, Butternut Coconut Red Lentil Curry, and Kidney Bean Curry.
One-Pot Meals and Casseroles options are Red Lentil Tomato Pulao, Quinoa Cauliflower Biryani, and Yellow Lentil Rice and Chard. The Main Dishes chapter features Royal Tofu and Cashews, Mango Curry Tofu, Vegetables in Smoky Tomato Sauce, and Kofta Balls in Nut-Free Cream Sauce.
Indian meals are usually served with flatbreads including Avocado Naan, Vegetable-Stuffed Parathas, Rice Dosas, and more. For dessert, try Cashew Fudge, Pistachio Cardamom Cookies, and Carrot Halwa. The last chapter features chutneys, spice blends, and the basics such as Chile Garlic Coconut Chutney, Garam Masala, Indian Chai Spice, and Vegan Paneer.
Vegan Richa's Indian Kitchen (ISBN: 978-1-941252-09-3) is a 274-page book. It is published by Vegan Heritage Press and retails for $22.95. You can purchase this book online or from your local bookstore.
Reviewed by Debra Wasserman.
THE ULTIMATE VEGAN BREAKFAST
By Nadine Horn and J?rg Mayer
I love breakfast dishes and was excited to find this cookbook! Start off with a refreshing beverage such as a Pomegranate Smoothie or Strawberry Chia Smoothie. The Breakfast to Go chapter offers recipes for Hearty Lentil Muffins, Overnight Buckwheat Porridge, and Breakfast Burrito. Next, dive into One-Bowl Wonders such as Amaranth Porridge, Banana Pudding, and Black Chai Rice.
Hot Off the Stove highlights dishes including Poppy Seed Pancakes, Tofu Omelet, and Power Waffles. The Sweeter Side of Mornings section serves up Carrot Cupcakes, Lemon Muffins, and Glazed Baked Donuts.
Who doesn't enjoy weekend brunch? Try the recipes for Onion Tart, Breakfast Frittata, Hash Brown BLTs, and Mini Breakfast Quiches. Next, add options from the Coffee, Tea & Co. chapter, such as Ginger Tea, Cardamom Latte, and Maya Cocoa.
Finally, the Pantry section provides recipes for Rye Sourdough Bread, Whole Grain Rolls, Sweet and Savory Spreads, Granola, and more.
The Ultimate Vegan Breakfast (ISBN: 978-1-61519-488-9) is a 192-page book full of photos. It is published by The Experiment and retails for $19.95. Purchase this book online or from your local bookstore.
Reviewed by Debra Wasserman.
PLANT-BASED MEATS
By Robin Asbell
Have you ever wanted to make your own vegan "meats" at home? Now you can! This book starts you off with basic "meat" recipes, such as vegan beef seitan, chicken breasts, chicken skins, shredded chicken, and ham. Then there are recipes for various types of vegan sausage including Breakfast Sausage with Sage and Apple, Spanish Chorizo, and Italian. Next, move on to lunch "meats" like salami, pastrami, pepperoni, and baloney.
The Meatballs, Burgers, and Meat Loaf chapter offers options such as Thai Meatballs in Red Curry, Walnut-Bulgur Burgers, and Quinoa-Sweet Potato Meat Loaf. Tacos and Pulled Meat ideas include Smoky Chipotle Mushroom Taco Meat and Jackfruit Jerked Pork. Also try Roasts and Filets, such as Strip Steaks for the Grill and Pineapple Baked Ham, or Ribs and Wings including Sticky Sriracha Ribs or Cauliflower Buffalo Wings.
Bacon and Jerky options are provided as well as numerous main courses such as Pepperoni Pizza, Curried Chicken Salad, Chinese Beef with Broccolini, Ham and Veggie Potpies, and a Classic BLT.
Plant-Based Meats (ISBN: 978-1-68268-221-0) is a 192-page book with color photos. It is published by The Countryman Press and retails for $23.95. You can purchase this book online or from your local bookstore.
Reviewed by Debra Wasserman.
THE KICK DIABETES COOKBOOK
By Brenda Davis, RD, and Vesanto Melina, MS, RD
If you or someone you know has diabetes and wants to follow a vegan diet, this book is for you. The first section includes information on foods that help regulate blood glucose levels, along with several helpful charts indicating which nutrients decrease diabetes risk and which increase the risk. Next, the reader is provided with useful tips on cooking vegan cuisine, including 100 quick-and-easy vegan recipes.
For breakfast, you might want to prepare Wholly Granola, Banana-Walnut Pancakes, or Carrot Spice Muffins. Move on to soups and try Green-Gold Cauliflower Soup, Kale and Avocado Soup, or Navy Bean and Mushroom Soup. Serve a salad with your soup choice such as Classic Broccoli Salad, Kale Salad with Orange-Ginger Dressing, or Mango and Black Bean Salad. You will also find a very useful section on dressings, marinades, dips, gravies, and sauces.
The Vegetables and Side Dishes chapter offers Asian Green Beans, Spicy Bok Choy, Red Cabbage with Apples, and more. Main dish choices include African Chickpea Stew, Stuffed Winter Squash, Tamale Pie, Nori Rolls with Cauliflower Rice, and Black Beans with Greens. And of course, you can end your meal with one of these terrific desserts: Apple Crisp, Vanilla Chai Pudding, Lime Bliss Balls, or Black Bean Brownies.
Nutritional analyses and beautiful photos appear throughout the cookbook.
The Kick Diabetes Cookbook (ISBN: 978-1-57067-359-7) is a 192-page book. It is published by Book Publishing Company and retails for $19.95. You can purchase this book from our book catalog on page 34, online at www.vrg.org/catalog, or from your local bookstore.
Reviewed by Debra Wasserman.
VEGAN YACK ATTACK ON THE GO!
By Jackie Sobon
The delicious recipes in this book can be made in advance to take with you and are prepared quickly at home. For breakfast, enjoy a Fresh Fruit Yogurt Sundae or Crustless Quiche Bites. Lunchbox Stuffers include Sesame Soba Salad and Shiitake Spring Rolls.
Bulk Cooking suggestions that can be served for several days include Spinach Ricotta Stuffed Shells and Lebanese-Style Cauliflower with Couscous. Food On-The-Move features Camp Banana Splits, Beer Can Pulled Cabbage, and Tempeh-Stuffed Poblano Peppers. The Make Your Own Staples chapter offers recipes for Easy Teriyaki Sauce, Garlic Mayo, and Coconut Bacon.
Vegan Yack Attack on the Go! (ISBN: 978-1-63159-422-9) is a 208-page hardcover book. It is published by Fair Winds Press and retails for $29.99. You can purchase this book online or from your local bookstore.
Reviewed by Debra Wasserman.
