101 Best Vegan Foods by Publications International is one of my favorite Vegan reference books. It’s perfect for a specific style of cook – one who doesn’t like to follow direction and prefers to forge their own path. That’s me. I’m terrible at following a recipe. I collect cookbooks, but I use them for inspiration, and not necessarily to learn how to do something by following someone’s direction. HA
I love the way this book is designed. It’s focused on food and the benefits with ideas. Yes, it has some recipes, but its best attribute is the focus on food. For example, on arugula, one of my favorites, it lists the benefits, selection and storage, preparation, and recipe suggestions which is super helpful. The benefits go into the vitamins arugula contains and what it can be used instead of in recipes.
With the recipe suggestions, you get several recipes IDEAS, so you can forge your own path. Yes, there is a simple recipe for Rigatoni Salad with Arugula, as well as a gorgeous photo to entice you to make it, but it’s the individual synopsis on each food that makes this such a good reference book to have on hand in your kitchen. The storage and preparation section for each food is especially useful, especially if you’re not experienced in fresh food selection, storage and prep.
Since we live on a farm share for a good portion of the year, I often receive vegetables I’m not familiar with or fond of from past experience. I will try something different a little more willingly in the future with this book at hand. It also lists several things I haven’t been brave enough to try, so I think I’ll challenge myself to pick a couple to experiment with such as Parsnips Patties or Lentil Stew Over Couscous. And a reminder to myself – try growing Arugula in my kitchen window, another idea I got from this book. I can never get enough fresh arugula. Growing my own in the winter indoors appeals to my need for greens when the snow and frigid temps make me crazy.
Now, where did I put those hanging pots I bought from Ikea that I want to put up in my kitchen for growing edibles?
Review by Dorine, courtesy of The Zest Quest. Print copy purchased.
101 Best Vegan Foods by Publications International
Category: Vegan Reference and Cookbook
Publisher: Publications International, Ltd. (September 27, 2012)
ISBN: 978-1450851251
Rated 5 out of 5, Recommended!
