Book Reviews
CRAZY EASY VEGAN DESSERTS
By Heather Saffer
Who can resist desserts, especially when Heather Saffer offers 75 easy-to-prepare vegan, gluten-free recipes? Saffer is the founder/CEO of Dollop Gourmet and she brought home the crown in Food Network's 2012 Cupcake Wars. She also appeared on ABC's Shark Tank in 2016.
Enjoy recipes including Chocolate Chip Macadamia Nut Cookies, Cherry Pistachio Cookies, Cookies and Cream Donuts, Beignets, Salted Caramel Pumpkin Spice Cupcakes, Key Lime Truffles, Apple Pie Taquitos, Peanut Butter and Chocolate Fudge, Wine-Roasted Cinnamon Pears, Minted Cups, Orange Cream Shake, and so much more. Once you see the photos, you'll want to start baking right away!
Crazy Easy Vegan Desserts (ISBN: 978-1-4549-2674-60) is a 168-page hardcover book. It is published by Sterling Epicure and retails for $19.95. Purchase this book online or from your local bookstore.
Reviewed by Debra Wasserman.
HOT FOR FOOD VEGAN COMFORT CLASSICS
By Lauren Toyota
This is Canadian blogger, Lauren Toyota's, first book. The beautiful photos will have you preparing her unique recipes in no time!
Brunch recipes are served up first and include Flaky Buttermilk Biscuits, Tofu Benny with Hollandaise, Pumpkin Spice Pancakes, and Mushroom Leek Quiche. Finger Foods follow with offerings such as Cheesy Pesto Bread Twists, Zucchini-Onion Bhaji, Southern Fried Cauliflower, and Mac & Cheese Onion Rings.
Veggie Sides and Big Salads include Brussels Sprouts Caesar Salad and Banh Mi Bowl. Move on to Hearty Soups and enjoy See Food Chowder, Chicken Potpie Soup, and Curried Butternut Squash Soup. Serve your selected soup with one of her sandwiches including Philly Cheesesteak, BBQ Jackfruit Sandwich, and The Ramen Burger.
Oodles of Noodles focuses on pasta, and you can try Mushroom Fettuccine Alfredo, Spicy Peanut Noodles, and Bacon Mac & Cheese Skillet. The Main Event chapter provides a wide range of entrées, including Sweet Potato Gnocchi, Waffle-Topped Cottage Pie, and Stuffed Crust Pizza.
You can end your meal with an incredible dessert such as Cinnamon Rolls, Apple Fritters, Fudgy Brownies, or Baked Blueberry Cheesecake. And the final chapter offers a wide range of sauces, including The Nacho Cheese, The Tartar Sauce, The Spicy Peanut Sauce, and more.
Nutritional analyses are not provided in this book. Please note that several of these recipes are high in calories and some take a bit of time to prepare.
Hot for Food Vegan Comfort Classics (ISBN: 978-0-399580-14-7) is a 240-page book. It is published by Ten Speed Press and retails for $22. Purchase this book online or from your local bookstore.
Reviewed by Debra Wasserman.
COOK SHARE EAT VEGAN
By Aine Carlin
This book contains gorgeous photos and creative dishes. Carlin is a regular on Irish television and writes a column for Veggie magazine in Europe.
Enjoy dishes such as Crispy Cinnamon Potato Tacos, Lemon Chia Pudding, Romaine Lettuce Wraps, Mini Black-Bean Chimichangas, Falafel Shakshuka, Lima Bean Jalfrezi, Spicy Mushroom-Stuffed Calzone, Red Thai Curried Potatoes, Curried Chickpea & Pine Nut Pasties, and Sweet Potato Stuffed Shells. And of course, you don't want to skip the dessert options including Matcha & Lime Pie, Blueberry Upside-Down Cake, and Mulled Poached Pears.
Cook Share Eat Vegan (ISBN: 978-1-78472-412-2) is a 240-page hardcover book and retails for $24.99. It is published by Octupus Publishing and is available both online and at bookstores.
Reviewed by Debra Wasserman.
