Review: Well Executed, Complete, and Enticing!
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 05 23, 2013
I'm not a vegan, but I'm interested in learning about tasty substitutes. I've read several books on vegan cooking recently, and frankly a lot of the recipes don't do much for me. This book got me VERY interested in several dishes!Lieberman's book covers all meals, including breakfast (great smoothies), apps, lunch, dinner, desserts, and a final "odds and ends " section for dips, soups, and clear instructions for preparation of ingredients common throughout several of her recipes.Unlike many of the recipe ebooks, pictures are included for many of the recipes. That helps, because you know what the finished product should look like.Notes taken from some of Lieberman's recipes I especially enjoyed and look forward to trying:High Protein Breakfast Burrito--tofu based, looks deliciousTofu and Pinto Bean Hash--sub for potato cravings?Scrambled Tofu  and Grits-- Lieberman says her husband can't tell the difference between this and eggs.Chili--Quorn based , and looks flavorful. I've had a problem with meatless chili tasting bland, and this one looks like it can cure that!Asian Noodle Salad--low glycemic, which is important to me, and plenty of fresh veggies and Asian seasoningCurried Quinoa Salad--  She uses a vegetable broth for this recipe and several others,and teaches how to make the broth in the last chapter. I'm a huge fan of quinoa, and have already started using it as a rice substitute in many recipes. It's one of the best changes I"ve made in food prep, and adding curry is a great idea!Vegan Stuffing--for holidays-- uses meatless ground beef, and again QuornMongolian BBQ--uses seitan as a beef sub. I haven't tried this, new to me. Looks like a winner.Sloppy Joes--I've used black beans, but Lieberman recommends lentils. Worth a try.Tortilla Pizza--used whole grain tortillas--picture looks greatBlack Bean Burgers are easy with plenty of seasoning .  Used brown rice.  I'd probably sub the traditional bun with a thinner whole wheat bun, and maybe try Quinoa instead of the brown rice.  Heather?Sweet potato, Black Bean, Corn, Spinach and Pepper Vegan Enchiladas-these look really goodVeggie Sushi Rolls--yes!Loaded Italian Nachos-Quorn and Italian Veggie Sausage  chips are fried wonton wrappers, cool ideaVeggie S'more Cookies--graham cracker crumbs, vegan marshmallows.  I'm not always craving sweets, but this recipe looks like one that can be served as a snack or to end up any lunch or dinner. Nice!Heather Lieberman over-delivered with her first book. It's one of the best values I've seen lately in the cooking genre. The recipes are clear, the book flows well, and there are so many choices I'm not sure where to start. Strongly recommended for anyone interested in vegan cooking, or making your existing fare a little less caloric and more healthy.