Attn: Giveaway at the end of this post!!
These are some of the cookbooks I have picked up of late in order to cook up some delicious veggie meals for hubby and kids. I have lots of great cookbooks to add to my collection and we have had some really yummy meals. I am not much of an on the fly cook… I need recipes, a plan, etc. After years of meat based meals I had a nice repertoire of meaty meals but very few veggie based ones (not counting raw recipes of course). I am finally starting to feel a bit more confident that I can whip up some tasty vegetarian or vegan meals that won’t leave people scrunching their noses. Not every meal I have made of late has been a success, in fact I had one really big FAIL, but over all I am liking these books and the recipes.
Let me start from the top down (see picture above):
The Complete Mexican, South American, and Caribbean Cookbook – This is not veggie based cookbook per say but I borrowed this from my mom.. who borrowed it from my brother (who has probably lived in all those countries) after she insisted that it had lots of meatless recipes. After trying some I bought it without hesitation when I saw it in the bargain bin at Barnes and Noble recently. Among the winners are Black Bean Burritos, Red Bean Chili on Rice, Bean Salad, Coconut Rice, and Rice and Peas. It also a bunch of salsa recipes and a great recipe for Cashew Nut Milk (which I converted to raw). It is like a Cuban Horchata!
The Best Ever Indian Cookbook – I bought this book hoping that it would have lots of meatless recipes in it since I know a portion of Indian Hindus are vegetarian. I used to eat in an Indian restaurant in Phoenix all the time and while they did have lots of lamb dishes they also had plenty of veggie based options too. This book did turn out to have meatless meals and a large section dedicated to these types of dishes. BUT alas I have not quite gotten the hang of Indian cooking yet. For every meal that turns out good there is one that is just bland and gross IMO. I made a dish that had potatoes, red split lentils, rice, and various spices and it was just mushy and bland and no one wanted to eat it.
Vegan Brunch – This is an awesome book despite the fact that it is REALLY heavy on the tofu dishes. Since we don’t do soy that renders half the book kinda useless but recipes for Cranberry Orange Nut Muffins, Lemon Cashew Crepes, Gingerbread Waffles, and Pumpkin Pancakes makes this book a winner despite the tofuti-ness. Since I am not a morning person it is a rare day when breakfast is much more than raw granola or fresh fruit so my family is thankful at least that perhaps ONE breakfast a week can be a yummy breakout from our routine.
The Kind Diet – I already review this AWESOME book here. So go have a look see. This is the book I am giving away too… see the bottom for details! Here is a recent meal where I made the Bok Choy drizzled with Ume Vinaigrette:
The Blue Heron Cookbook – This is a cookbook full of recipes that are served at the Blue Heron Zen Retreat Center. It is an incredible book and I would recommend it just for its fabulous stories and gorgeous illustrations but the food is good too! How often do you sit and and read through an entire cookbook like its a novel? I loved getting to know the family who lives and works at this retreat and hearing the stories behind the recipes. It is just a fascinating cookbook and the hand drawn pictures just give it such a dreamy, whimsical feel. Recipes we particularly liked where the Banana Bread (which uses whole wheat flour and honey), the Sunday Pancakes (which are to DIE for!!), the Adzuki Beans and Rice, and the Simply Miso Soup. If you have a cook in the family, they would be delighted to get this unique book as a gift.
Simply Delicious Vegetarian – Simple title and really simple recipes. This book has an Italian bent in my opinion which pleases me since I love all things Italy. The recipes for grilled tomatoes, mushroom Lasagne, Cannelloni, Maltagliati… mmmm… simple and delightful. You would NEVER guess I am allergic to cheese eh?
Vegetarian Revenge – Better Living Without Chemistry – This is another book that emphasizes simplicity. It encourages the use of fresh, non processed ingredients and also has lots of low fat recipes. I really appreciated the soups and also the delicious fruit salads. If your fruit salads need some “punch” then you may like the Apple Celery Salad, the Orange Daikon Salad, the Indian Banana Salad, and oooh baby the Pear-Grapefruit Pomegranate Salad. This is a good book for people who fear overdoing the fat… cause fat makes everything taste delicious but too much.. well you know.
Vegetarian Cooking A Common Sense Guide – I LOVE the binding on this book. It is spiral bound inside a hard cover so you flip open to the recipe you want and it lays flat on the counter. Why do most cookbooks NOT have this feature?? Every single recipe also has a picture.. another awesome feature. The book has over 350 pages of various veggie recipes with all sorts of ethnic influences but it keeps things simple too. I like the Asian recipes especially… the Mini Thai Spring Rolls, the Udon Noodle Sushi Rolls, the Vietnamese Noodle Salad, etc. I find the Asian recipes are more likely to get my hubby’s interest since we used to order Chinese or Thai Takeout like nobody’s business when we first got married. Brings back fond memories of eating takeout in our first place… which was actually a sauna converted to a two room apartment. Good times. :)
Betty Crocker Easy Everyday Vegetarian – Honestly I haven’t made even one thing in this book yet. Think I got too many cookbooks? It has gorgeous pictures and the Betty Crocker name with its traditional feel made me think of comfort foods. Hopefully I can dig into this one soon.
The Ultimate Book of Vegan Cooking – I like this one well enough although I think the best part is the info in the opening chapters about the vegetarian lifestyle and the nutrition derived from all the different ingredients used in the book. You can’t go wrong with the the simple and flavorful Black Beat Hot Pot or the Carrot and Nut Biryani. It also has yummy dessert recipes, including one for RAW Key Lime Pie! I couldn’t find this one online but I found mine for only $5.99 at Borders.
Now on to the giveaway! I have a copy of The Kind Diet that was sent to me by the publishers. Since I already have the book I am passing it on to one of you. To enter just leave a comment. For extra credit you can tweet about the giveaway, link to it on Facebook, Stumble it, Digg it, etc. Just leave a separate comment for all the extra credit stuff you did. A winner will be announced on Friday, December 11th! Good Luck!
Disclaimer – The Kind Diet giveaway book was sent to me gratis via the publishers, as mentioned above. I also received the Vegetarian Revenge and Blue Heron books gratis, either from the publisher or the author.
Awesome, big people cookbooks ;-)
I was over here reviewing your post on your daughter’s cookbooks the other day while I was Christmas shopping–I picked up a pink princess cookbook for one of my nieces and a mermaid one for the other.
My wife is from southern Mexico and makes some great stuff — admittedly with tons of meat :-) My favorite world food though is Japanese. The Vegetarian Revenge: Better living Without Chemistry sounds really fun!
Oh, I woulod love to add this to my cookbook collection!
I tweeted this! http://twitter.com/summerm/status/6342443861
I would love to be considered for this book! I have almost bought it a couple of times, but wanted to get the perfect new to vegetarianism cookbook and I have stalled in the decision making process. My family has recently switched to vegetarianism and we need all the help we can get! Thank you for this opportunity!
Would love to try this cookbook. Thanks for sharing!
I would LOVE to read more into the “The Kind Diet.” I have been looking into some Macrobiotics as I too am a 30 year old who is still suffereing from acne. I have tried everything but I REFUSE do go on pres. meds. for it. Macrobiotics might be the wayto go! I really hope to be considered for this book!!
I would love to add this book to my collection. The recipes look yummy…
Linked on facebook as well.
I would love a copy of this book! Thanks for the giveaway.
I love trying out new cookbooks, and would love to try out this one!
I actually have the Kind Diet cookbook on my Wishlist…..but, I know I won’t get it.
But, if I did…..would certainly use it…..as we are trying very hard to be more Vegan and having this book in my collection would be great.
Oh wow – I had the chance to flip through The Kind Diet a few weeks ago and thought it was amazing. I’d love to have the chance to read ALL of it and cook from it! Yum! Thank you!
I hope I win!
i’ve heard great things about the kind diet. thanks for sharing all the fun recipe books!
The Kind Diet cookbook was already on my Christmas list, now I have two more to add- The Vegan Brunch & The Complete Mexican, South American & Caribbean Cookbook.
I am so hungry now!
New cookbooks are always good!
I would love to win this! I am 36 of 36 holds at our library. If everyone keeps the book for their allotted time, it will be 9 years before I’ll have a chance to read it ;) Thanks for this opportunity!!
I have been very interested in reading this book! I would love to win this. Thanks!!
Thanks for the chance to add to my cookbooks! I am always on the hunt for simple veggie recipes that don’t require hard-to-fnd ingredients!
The Kind Diet would be wonderful! Thank you!! Its on my list, but just hasn’t made it into my collection yet.
Great ideas! Thanks for all the great reviews!!
Also linked to my facebook!
I have the Kind Diet on my Amazon wishlist and am just waiting for the money to buy it, but it sure would be wonderful to win!
Thanks for the giveaway!
We have been vegetarians for a few years now and my husband wants to start working towards becoming vegans. This would be the perfect inspiration!
Linked to Facebook also!
http://www.facebook.com/#/melissawalkup?ref=nf
Would love a copy of The Kind Diet. Always looking for new veggie meals to try!
ooh, I’d be keen. Alicia is such a glowing picture of health 0 it really makes me want to try it! plus I’m stuck in a nasty rut – in serious need of a food-revolution.
I took macrobiotic cooking classes 5 years ago when I lived in Maine and loved it! Unfortunately I’ve never gotten back into it to that degree since moving back to C’bus. Winning this book would be the perfect inspiration to jump back in! I also love “The Hip Chick’s Guide to Macrobiotics” by Jessica Porter, from Portland ME
Ooh oooh oooh, pick me! I have this book on my “must read” list, along with several others you have recommended!
I just linked from facebook too!
I would so love to win this!
I ordered this book from the library a while ago and am still on the waiting list! Of course owning it would be way cooler!
I would love to win this!!! I’ve been wanting to read it for awhile cookbooks are my crack.
I’ve tried the Vegan Brunch book, but not the others that you mentioned. I’d love to give The Kind Diet a try. Thanks for the chance to win!
In addition the the great review you gave this book, I’ve heard fantastic things about The Kind Diet (am STILL on my library’s lengthy reserve list…)
Thanks for offering up your extra copy as a giveaway!
Trying my luck! Never can have too many cookbooks, right?
Ever since you reviewed this book, I’ve added it to my Amazon wish list. If I win, I can check it off!
I was reading about this cookbook and it is on my list of books to acquire… would love to win it!
Zoo passes and books like The Kind Diet… What more could a girl ask for ;)
This book looks like a perfect addition to my cookbook library.
Thanks!
I’m always in the need for a good cookbook. My cooking skills are far from adequate.
Sorry to post this in the “cookbook” article, but……your website is incredible!!!! I’ve literally spent weeks on and off reading your content and enjoying your pictures (makes me want that Nikon :). You’re an amazing writer and it obviously comes naturally. You have so much to say and the content is so valuable. LOVE the entire blog and love how and why it evolved!!!!!
I’m getting into healthy eating and living as a lifestyle and have been enjoying getting to know more about raw food diets and vegan diets and the different delicious recipes I would have never thought of before.
I plan on growing my library of recipes in the coming months, though right now I’m not buying too many because we’re all on the yeast diet and it’s SO strict that I think even raw/vegan recipes would have ingredients I’m not allowed at the moment.
I’d still love to be entered into the giveaway for future use of the book.
Nell
I’d love to take a look at this cookbook! Great giveaway!
I’d love this book! This looks great! I think I’ve found something else to put on my Christmas list. ;-)
Oh I’d love to win the cookbook. I enjoyed your post about it, so now I’m curious. Thanks!
I would love to win this book! Thanks for showcasing all these vegetarian options.
I would really love to win this!! Thanks for the info :) Can you tell me why you do not eat soy? I am worried now bc I do. Should I not? TY, Lynn
Tweeted this! http://twitter.com/smilinggreenmom/status/6464493737
I loved your review of this book!
I am still on the wait list from the library for this book. I think I am number 180 something out of 20 or so copies. I might get it by spring :). From your review and a looksee at B&N…I know I want this one. Thanks for having the giveaway.
I am always looking for great healthy recipes, so this post is very handy. I’ll see if my library has any of these cookbooks! (And of course I would love to win one! :D )
I’ve been yearning to read The Kind Diet since it first came out, but no funds for it right now. Would love to win it! Thanks for your reviews, I’ll have to request some at my library.
I would love to have The Kind Diet book, as it would help me with vegetarian recipies that do not contain dairy products. I have many food sensitivities and would love to start cooking something different for my family for a change!
Thanks for your reviews, it really helps. It can be a bit overwhelming with all the books out there.
How do you pick the winner anyways?
gio :)
Always looking for new cookbooks! Thanks for the honest reviews.
Have you checked out Angelica’s Kitchen? Vegan cookbook…fabulous!!!
Cookbooks are my obsession, and finding nonbiased reviews of healthy cookbooks is like Christmas morning to me. Thank you for taking the time to review them, I will be running to the library after work today.
Awesome! This would be my first vegan cookbook if I win!
I would love this as we are a dairy free and very limited soy household due to daughter’s intolerance (and my nursing her). I have a lot of cookbooks that don’t work well trying to omit the milk, butter, etc. and is becoming increasingly difficult as I am trying to omit more meat now too!
Always looking for delicious vegetarian meals that the WHOLE family will enjoy, especially my hubby! Thanks for the suggestions (and opportunity to win one of the books!)
Just posted your link on my FB page..hooray for more ways to enter the cookbook giveaway!
my husband is indian (i’m filipino & white) and our now 7 year old chose to go veg at 3. i tried to do it with him but failed, he has never wavered the past 4 years. anyway, there are some techniques to indian cooking. i can’t tell you how many pots of dal makahani i ruined before finally getting it just right. i’m going to look thru what i have for some resources for you. i love indian food and don’t want you to give up on it! i might also bother you by posting some successful veg recipes we make here. i’m always looking for new dishes, we do use the ‘faux’ products, but last week made our own lentil ‘meatloaf’ and are doing a thai noodle soup and veg jambalaya this week!
I will definately check out these books!