Book Reviews
Vegan Pasta Night
By Brianna Claxton
In this new book, Chef Claxton serves up vegan classic Italian pasta dishes with spectacular photos. Start by learning how to make fresh Semolina Pasta Dough in several flavors as well as Gnocchi. Next, move on to preparing a wide variety of sauces, including Alfredo, Bolognese, and Vodka Sauce.
You can learn how to make mozzarella, parmesan, ricotta, mascarpone, and other cheeses at home, but note that these recipes are not low in fat. Another chapter is devoted to vegan meat recipes like ground beef chicken cutlets, meatballs, chorizo, and more. Some of the pasta main dishes utilize the vegan cheeses and meats to make savory Lasagne Bolognese, Kale Alfredo with Chorizo and Farfalle, and Ricotta and Chicken Mezzalune with Marsala Cream Sauce.
Finally, a chapter on breads and spreads includes Rustic Italian Bread, Roasted Garlic Bread, and Bruschetta, and another chapter offers sides and staples such as Pasta e Ceci, Calamari, Caprese Salad, and Wild Mushroom and Sage Risotto.
Vegan Pasta Night (ISBN 978-0-7603-7293-7) is a 208-page hardcover book. It is published by Harvard Common Press and retails for $26.99. Order this book online or at your local bookstore. Debra Wasserman/VRG Co-Coordinator
The Everyday Vegan Cheat Sheet
By Hannah Kaminsky
Kaminsky has been writing cookbooks since she was a teenager. She creates the incredible photographs for her books and offers helpful tips throughout.
In the introduction you'll find a thorough description of the various types of sheet pans used to prepare the recipes. The author shares useful thoughts on methods you should follow to make sure each dish comes out of the oven perfectly. Additionally, you'll find an extensive ingredient glossary.
The collection features one-pan dishes ranging from breakfast items, like Banana Sheet Pan Cakes, Spiralized Hash Browns, and Tofu Shakshuka, to desserts such as New York Crumb Cake, Indoor S'mores, and Thai Tea Sheet Cake. Between these chapters explore snacks and appetizers such as Cauliflower Tempura, Pretzel Focaccia, and Greens and Beans Crostini. The salad selection consists of recipes like Aloha Ramen Slaw and All-Kale Caesar. Make oven-friendly sides Corn Pudding, Nuthouse Stuffing, and Scalloped Summer Squash or tasty soups & stews such as French Onion, Minestrone Primavera, and Pumpkin Khichdi.
The Everyday Vegan Cheat Sheet (ISBN 978-1-5107-6865-9) is a 264-page book. It is published by Skyhorse Publishing and retails for $29.99. Purchase this book online or at your favorite bookstore. Debra Wasserman/VRG Co-Coordinator
Jazzy Vegetarian
By Laura Theodore
Author Laura Theodore is a celebrity chef on PBS and author of many vegan cookbooks. The tenth anniversary edition of Jazzy Vegetarian consists of 120 vegan recipes and 200 photos. You'll find a chapter devoted to the basics with respect to ingredients, and another chapter featuring helpful menu planning tips as well as 12 sample menus incorporating the author's recipes. For example, Farmers' Market Fresh Menu includes: Zucchini Fettuccine with Fresh Tomato Salsa; Arugula-and-Walnut Pesto Pasta; and Autumn Apple Crisp. A special touch is included with each suggested menu—a jazzy music pick suggested by Theodore to help set the mood for your special meal.
The recipes in this book vary from Laura's Jazzy Breakfast Cookies to Penne and Lettuce Soup to Vegan Pepperoni Pizza. Enjoy her take on Caramelized Balsamic Artichokes, Peanut Butter Fudge, and Summer Peaches and Lemon "Cream" Tart.
Jazzy Vegetarian (ISBN 978-0-9965-4753-6) is a 224-page book. It is distributed by Book Publishing Company and retails for $26.95. Debra Wasserman/VRG Co-Coordinator
