This book is a tome, a beautiful, wonderful, amazing, drool-inspiring tome. It's the kind of thick, heavy hardcover book that you could use to knock someone out with - and it's loaded with delicious recipes. I am a big fan of Isa, her recipes are always fantastic, and I've had such great luck with all of her books. Her last book "Appetite for Reduction" has long been one of my favorite cook books. I loved it for it's simplicity, it's ease, and it's deliciousness but I think Isa really outdid herself with this book. Two recipes in and it already won my heart, becoming my new favorite and my new `go-to.'
For the most part the recipes are simple, and easy to prepare - as the title might suggest. Most of the ingredients are common pantry staples, and the focus of the recipes is on whole foods, rather then processed meats/cheeses/sauces. There are a few more complicated dishes meant to be made on days off or during periods of free time, but most recipes can be made in 30 minutes or less which I love. It's been my experience that a lot of quick recipes rely heavily on processed ingredients to keep the cooking time short, or else they are pretty uninspired. Not so with Isa's recipes, every recipe feels gourmet, every recipe looks and tastes like it took you hours but they all come together in a snap. This is the first cook book I've bought in a while where I really - honestly - want to make every recipe. In fact, everything looks so good that it's been very hard for me to decide what to make next.
A few other things you may like to know before buying this book are that thee is no nutritional information. Also many of the recipes use seitan, tofu, and cashew cream. None of these things bother me, but it may be of a concern to anyone who follows a gf, sf, or nut-free diet. On the plus side Isa includes possible substitutions for these things, and provides a wealth of information - not only on quick and easy substitutions - on basic kitchen skills, tofu butchery, make-ahead tips, pantry staples and so on. The photography is also gorgeous, and there are many full-page color photos - every other page it seems like. The paper used for the pages is thick, heavy duty so it won't tear easily like in other books. My only real complaint is that the writing for the recipe introduction, ingredient list and notes or tips is quite small. This may not be a big deal for some, but for those of us with less then perfect eyesight it can be somewhat challenging especially when the writing is set against colored pages. Some people may also be dismayed that several of the recipes in the book are offered on Isa's Post Punk Kitchen blog for free, but this doesn't bother me. I love blogs, but I prefer cook books - they're a lot easier to bring into the kitchen then my computer.
I've tried quite a few recipes from the book so far, and I can honestly say that each one has been a winner. I haven't made a single recipe yet that I didn't like, nor a recipe my husband didn't like. Each one has been delicious and full of flavor, some of them have real depth of flavor which amazes me due to their ease and simplicity. It's obvious that Isa put a lot of hard work into this book, and I very much appreciate it. This is what I've made so far.
Sweet Potato and Red Curry Soup with Rice and Purple Kale - LOVED IT
Harina with Eggplant and Chickpeas - Loved it!
Wild Rice Soup with Browned Seitan Strips - Loved it
New England Clam Chowder - Loved it!
Pesto Soup with Gnocchi, Beans and Greens - Loved it!
Butternut Bisque with a Coconut Swirl - Loved it! Probably the best butternut bisque ever!
Sesame Slaw with Warm Garlicky Seitan - Loved it
Quinoa Caesar Salad - Loved it!
Dragon Noodle Salad - Loved it!
Ranch Salad with Red Potatoes and Smokey Chickpeas - Pretty good, but the chickpeas were PHENOMENAL!
Sweet and Sour Brown Rice Salad - Loved it!
Baked Garlic-Curry Fries - Loved it!
Olive Lentil Burgers - Pretty good!
Chicky Tuna Salad Sandwiches - Loved it
Edamame Hummus and Tofu Wraps - Amazing - the Edamame Hummus is incredible!
Ancho Lentil Tacos - Loved it!
Roasted Red Pepper Mac and Cheese - Pretty good
Roasted Butternut Alfredo - Loved it, simply Amazing!
Tofu Mushroom Stroganoff - Loved it -however my favorite is still her stroganoff from VWAV
Lentil-A-Roni - Loved it!
Acorn Squash Risotto - LOVED IT! Really, really amazing!
White Wine Risotto with Peas and Shiitake Bacon - Loved it!
Lentil Quinoa Stew with Lots of Kale - Loved it
Coconut Chana Saag - Loved it!
Seitan and Wild Mushroom Stew - Loved it, seriously best stew ever!
Everyday Pad Thai - Loved it, best Pad Thai I've ever made, and I'm super picky about my Pad Thai.
Good Gravy Bowl with Broccoli and Seitan - Loved it, the gravy alone is amazing!
Cozy Hummus Bowl - Loved it!
Pizza Bowl - Loved it!
Nirvana Enchilada Casserole - Loved it!
Sweet Potato Gnocchi with Seared Brussels Sprouts and Tarragon Cream - Loved it, just `to die for!'
Steamy Beany Sausages - Loved them,. Probably some of the best seitan sausage I've ever made.
Classic Baked Tofu - Loved it
Scrambled Chickpeas - LOVED IT! I really can't stress enough how amazing this was!
My Thai Overnight Scramble - Pretty good
Chipotle Sausage Hash - Loved it
Puffy Pillow Pancakes - Loved it
Carrot Cake Pancakes - Loved it
Sinfully Wholesome Waffles - Loved it!
Lemon Blueberry Loaf - Loved it
Corn Muffins - Loved it!
Rosemary Chocolate Chip Cookies - Loved it, these were seriously incredible!
Chocolate Gingerbread Cookies with White Chocolate Chips - Loved it, simply amazing!
Orange Chocolate Chip Bundt Cake - Loved it
Because of the ease of the recipes, and the diversity I think this would be the perfect cook book for a curious omnivore, a newbie vegan, a seasoned busy vegan, or anyone really. The book is amazing on every level, and I really can't say enough good things about it!
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Customer Review: Beautiful recipe book with tons of variety!
Ashley123
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Reviews with images
Used it so much I had to replace it!
I first bought this cookbook six years ago and it has been the most used cookbook in my kitchen since. I finally decided it was too busted up to continue using and bought another copy. For the record, I’m vegetarian (not vegan). My favorite recipes include Chandra Malai Kofta, Sweet Potato Gnocchi, Nacho Night, Chicky Seitan, and Cheddary Broccoli Soup. Just buy this book!
Top reviews from other countries
Amazon Customer
receitas interessantes , o e book parece feito com foto digital de cada pagina do livro
Reviewed in Brazil on September 8, 2021
Leela
This book is great, its packed with tons of recipes and the ...
Reviewed in India on August 19, 2016
E
Do not buy the Kindle edition, it's not worth it. Buy the pape version instead.
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on December 27, 2015