VRG > Vegetarian Journal > 1994 Issue July > Book Reviews

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Book Reviews

FRIENDLY FOODS, DOS VERSION
By Ron Pickarski

Micro Kitchen Light has developed an interesting concept. They've computerized Ron Pickarski's cookbook Friendly Foods. In theory, this allows you to search for all recipes containing a specific ingredient or combination of ingredients, rule out recipes that take too much time to prepare or that contain ingredients you're trying to avoid, and identify easy or difficult recipes. You can quickly convert a recipe serving 5 to a dish serving 15 or 25 (or up to 999).

Unfortunately, this product did not live up to my expectations. While the ability to search for recipes by ingredients is convenient, with only 200 recipes in this package, a complete index would accomplish the same task. You can purchase additional software to allow you to add your own recipes and recipes from other cookbooks. In addition, the process of searching for a recipe seems flawed. I found many more recipes containing tofu when I searched for tofu as an ingredient than when tofu was searched for as a key ingredient. The documentation did not include any explanation of what makes an ingredient a key ingredient.

While recipes can be resized, I found that the amounts got a little crazy. I don't mind measuring 2 teaspoons of vanilla for a recipe serving 8. However, if I want to make the same recipe for 48 people, I object to having to measure out 12 teaspoons of vanilla. It would be better to have the program convert 12 teaspoons to 1/4 cup.

Another drawback is a lack of nutrition information. With many excellent nutrient databases available for personal computers, this is a glaring omission.

It's nice to see a software package like this spotlighting vegetarian cooking. Friendly Foods, DOS version, does need more work, however, before it is truly user-friendly.

Friendly Foods, DOS version (ISBN 1-55610-175-9) is published by Lifestyle Software Group.

Reviewed by Reed Mangels, Ph.D., R.D.

RESEARCH BULLETIN
By The Vegetarian Society of the United Kingdom

The number of scientific studies related to vegetarianism seems to be increasing each year. The Vegetarian Society of the United Kingdom (VSUK) has developed a twice-yearly periodical, Research Bulletin, which summarizes all significant papers published on vegetarianism in the past 6 months.

This publication is geared to people with a nutrition background. Because of the concise nature of the summaries, it is not possible to give the type of supplemental information which would be needed by someone unfamiliar with basic nutrition concepts.

The first issue of Research Bulletin contained summaries of 33 published studies and 6 studies which are in process. Topics covered in this issue included growth of vegan children, soy cheese, nutrient intakes of London vegetarians, and vegetarianism and osteoporosis.

Reviewed by Reed Mangels, Ph.D., R.D.

THE SHIITAKE WAY
By Jennifer Snyder

Have you ever wondered how to prepare delicious vegetarian dishes using shiitake mushrooms? The Shiitake Way, published by The Book Publishing Company, offers recipes using these mushrooms in appetizers, sauces, soups, sandwiches, entrees, and side dishes. Many of the recipes are vegan. (Others contain dairy and/or eggs.) How does Polenta with Shiitake Sauce, Black Bean Chili with Shiitake, or Barbecued Shiitake Japanese Style sound to you?

To order The Shiitake Way (ISBN 0-913990-41-8), send $9.50 per book to The Vegetarian Resource Group, PO Box 1463, Baltimore, MD 21203.

Reviewed by Debra Wasserman.

VEGETARIAN GREEN PAGES
By the Houston Vegetarian Network

Over 800 restaurants, organizations, etc., in the Houston, Texas area are listed in the Vegetarian Green Pages ($8.99) published by the Houston Vegetarian Network.

AN AMERICAN VEGETARIAN RESOURCE DIRECTORY
By Georgia Wheatley

Whether you?re doing a research paper on vegetarianism or simply searching for a specific vegan cook-book, An American Vegetarian Resource Directory is a great book to turn to.

Georgia Wheatley has compiled a list of vegetarian audio/visual resources, cookbooks, electronic resources, family and children?s resources, mail order products, vegetarian groups and periodicals, publishers and distributors of vegetarian materials, radio and television resources, vegetarian resource books and travel books in a single book.

This is not a simple undertaking and Ms. Wheatley plans to update this book on a regular basis as new materials become available.

To order An American Vegetarian Resource Directory (ISBN 0-9637499-1-9) send $10 per book to WheatSong Press, PO Box 35009, Ferguson, MO 63135.

Reviewed by Debra Wasserman.

THE VEGETARIAN NO CHOLESTEROL BARBECUE COOKBOOK
By Kate Schumann and Virginia Messina, M.P.H., R.D.

Kate Schumann and Virginia Messina have put together a wonderful 128-page cookbook offering numerous ideas for vegan dishes that can be prepared on a grill. Many of the recipes were chosen from a contest that Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine (PCRM) held a while ago.

Readers are offered several delicious recipes for burgers that can be barbecued, including Chinese-style black bean burgers, mushroom barley burgers, yamburgers, and a garden medley vegetable burger. Also offered are ideas on how to grill vegetables, dips, salads and side dishes to serve with your barbecued dishes, and dessert ideas.

Unfortunately, no nutritional analyses are given for the recipes. Many of the recipes appear to be high in fat. These recipes should not be served to individuals on a lowfat diet. In any case, if you?re looking for barbecue recipes such as grilled eggplant steaks or grilled tempeh to share with your friends, be certain to purchase this book. The Vegetarian No Cholesterol Barbecue Cookbook (ISBN 0-312-11106-1) is published by St. Martin?s Press. It sells for $9.95 and is available in bookstores.

Reviewed by Debra Wasserman.

THE UNCHEESE COOKBOOK
By Joanne Stepaniak

Joanne Stepaniak, co-author of Ecological Cooking, has produced another great 192-page cookbook — The Uncheese Cookbook. So often, readers of Vegetarian Journal indicate that they would like to become vegan but are unable to give up cheese. This book is full of alternative cheese recipes, including brie made of cashews, tofu, nutritional yeast, and seasonings; port wine uncheese made of pinto beans, non-alcoholic red wine, sweet white miso, and tahini (sesame butter); and Gee Whiz spread made from Great Northern beans, pimiento pieces, nutritional yeast flakes, lemon juice, mustard, and seasonings. Ms. Stepaniak also offers recipes for dips, soups, fondues and rarebits, sauces, pestos and dressings, pizzas, polentas and breads, quiches, casseroles and other entrees, as well as desserts all using cheese alternatives. The recipes are good although some-times do not exactly replicate the taste of the dairy equivalent.

Like most cheeses made of cow?s milk, many of these "un-cheeses" are not lowfat and should be consumed in small quantities as specified. Most of the recipes, however, appear to be lower in fat than their dairy counterpart.

The Uncheese Cookbook is a creative, fun cookbook worth purchasing. It would also make a great gift for friends who are lactose intolerant or have milk allergies.

To order The Uncheese Cookbook, published by The Book Publishing Company (ISBN 0-913990-42-6) send $13.50 per book to The Vegetarian Resource Group, PO Box 1463, Baltimore, MD 21203.

Reviewed by Debra Wasserman.

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