Vegetaranism Books Reviews

Vegetable Soups from Deborah Madison's Kitchen

Author: Deborah Madison

In "Vegetable Soups from Deborah Madison’s Kitchen," America’s favorite vegetarian cookbook author presents more than 100 inventive and straightforward soup recipes guaranteed to satisfy appetites all year long.

Deborah Madison has shown millions of Americans how to turn vegetables and other healthful ingredients into culinary triumphs. In her newest collection of recipes, she serves up a selection of soups ranging from stylish first courses to substantial one-bowl meals.

Madison begins with a soup-making primer and streamlined recipes for vegetable stocks and broths (such as the Hearty Mushroom Broth), which serve as the foundation for many of the recipes that follow. Soups like the Mexican Tomato Broth with Avocado and Lime can start a supper or stand alone as a simple, light meal.

Cooks looking for heartier choices will find satisfying dishes such as Potato and Green Chile Stew with Cilantro Cream or grain-based soups like the Wild Rice Chowder. Organized by seasons, the recipes make the most of the produce–from a springtime Fennel and Almond Soup with Saffron and Ricotta Dumplings to a deeply flavorful autumnal Roasted Squash, Pear and Ginger Soup.

When time just isn't available and prepared soups take the place of home made, Madison offers a battery of suggestions for how to make them your own with simple additions from delicious oils and herbs to an invigorating Cilantro Salsa.

Featuring fifty stunning full-color photographs by Laurie Smith, serving suggestions, wine notes, and a host of ideas for creative finishing touches including caramelized pear "croutons" and souffled cheese toasts, this friendly soup lover's guide gives the reader a hundred delicious ways to enjoy the benefits and flavors of vegetables by the bowlful throughout the seasons.

Carb Conscious Vegetarian: 150 Delicious Recipes for a Healthy Lifestyle

Author: Robin Robertson

Now you can enjoy healthy, low-carb meals without the cholesterol,in this collection of high-protein, high-fiber meat and dairy-free recipes. The low-carb revolution continues to take the nation by storm. But the heavy emphasis these diets place on meats leaves vegetarians in the lurch.

Now acclaimed cookbook author Robin Robertson offers 150 fabulous carb-conscious vegetarian recipes. These meat and dairy-free dishes banish refined carbohydrates and bring out the best flavors from vegetables and other vegetarian ingredients.

Raw Food/Real World: 100 Recipes to Get the Glow

Author: Matthew Kenney

Top New York chef and restauranteur Matthew Kenney and his partner, Sarma Melngailis, had been thinking of opening a Moroccan restaurant. But one night they were invited to a raw food restaurant -- and it changed their lives. They instead opened Pure Food and Wine, a restaurant devoted to creative, tasty raw food, and it has been drawing rave reviews. Dishes such as Zucchini and Green Zebra Tomato Lasagne, Golden Squash Pasta with Black Summer Truffles, and Dark Chocolate Ganache Tart with Vanilla Cream have given raw food a sexy new appeal.

The decision to go raw was shocking at first for these two ex-carnivorous chefs, but they soon found that preparing and eating raw food made them and their guests feel their physical best. Melngailis noticed a difference almost immediately -- "Light, clean, natural, and alive foods make you feel light, clean, and more alive. And sexy."

This new way of life has changed their outlook on eating and cooking and connects them to the world around them. As Kenney says, "Raw foods and the lifestyle associated with it are so compelling and complex that we will be forever learning and growing. Already it seems that we have discovered some of the magic that life offers."

In this lushly photographed book, Kenney and Melngailis share some of that magic -- and show that preparing and eating raw does not mean bland, unsatisfying, or impossibly time-consuming meals. Using dehydrating, Vita-Mix blending, a nuanced understanding of spices, and unprecedented creativity, they explore a whole new outlook on raw food that transfers beautifully and easily from their kitchen to yours -- no matter what your present diet.

And you'll immediately begin to reap the benefits of healthful, delicious, life-giving raw food.

Becoming Vegan: The Complete Guide to Adopting a Healthy Plant-Based Diet

Authors: Brenda Davis

The authors of "Becoming Vegan" explore the benefits of a vegan diet (eating without meat, eggs or dairy products). More and more people are being motivated to become vegans because of the impact of their nutritional choices on their health, the environment, animal rights, and human hunger.

This book is the essential resource for anyone following a vegan diet. Foremost vegetarian dietitians present up-to-date findings on: Protection against cancer & heart disease, getting enough protein without meat, why good fats are vital and how to get them, meeting calcium needs without dairy products, what vegans need to know about vitamin B12, balanced vegan diets for infants, children, and seniors, pregnancy and breast-feeding tips for vegan moms.

Everyday Cooking with Dr. Dean Ornish: 150 Easy, Low-Fat, High-Flavor Recipes

Author: Dean Ornish

Renowned cardiac researcher and bestselling author Dean Ornish, M.D., has inspired millions of people to choose a healthier lifestyle and a low-fat diet. But low-fat cooking can be time-consuming and hard to fit into a busy schedule, so Dr. Ornish has found 150 wonderful ways to make it fast, delicious and fun.

"Everyday Cooking with DR. Dean Ornish" includes 150 easy and extraordinary recipes that are extremely low in fat and cholesterol -- and high in flavor. You'll find slimmed-down versions of comfort foods that are delicious and nutritious, from French Toast and Hashed Browns to enchiladas and lasagna, from Creamy Corn Soup and Spicy Arkansas Chili to Southwest Pizza and Carrot Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting.

The recipes are quick to prepare, the ingredients are familiar and inexpensive and there are hundreds of smart time-saving tips on cooking, shopping and serving. Now you no longer have to choose between good food and good health.

Vegetarian Cooking for Everyone

Author: Deborah Madison

The elegant simplicity and exquisite flavor of Deborah Madison's food make her one of America's leading cooks. In "Vegetarian Cooking for Everyone," she offers more than great food: Her book includes comprehensive information about ingredients and techniques, plus more than 800 recipes.

The recipes range from dishes as familiar as Guacamole to those as distinctive as Green Lentils with Roasted Beets and Preserved Lemons, and Cashew Curry. The 124-page chapter titled "Vegetables: The Heart of the Matter" is a virtual book of culinary revelations; you could use it as a manual on buying and preparing vegetables.

Madison provides equally inspired recipes and guidance for everything from grains and soy to dairy foods and desserts.

Raw Food Made Easy For 1 or 2 People

Authors: Jennifer Cornbleet

Although raw foods have gained tremendous popularity in recent years, some people are put off by the work and equipment needed for dehydrating and the extensive preparation required for gourmet raw food dishes. In answer to their pleas, veteran raw foods chef Jennifer Cornbleet provides a host of quick and easy recipes for snacks, hearty main meals and all kinds of tasty tidbits - all made without ever having to touch a stove.

Jennifer Cornbleet is a nationally recognized raw food chef and instructor, and a faculty instructor at the Living Light Culinary Arts Institute. She offers classes, hands-on workshops, and consultations in the Chicago area and nationwide. Her first book, "Raw Food Made Easy for 1 or 2 People," has already sold over 50,000 copies, and she has recently released the companion DVD, Raw Food Made Easy .

Vegan Cupcakes Take Over the World: 75 Dairy-Free Recipes for Cupcakes that Rule

Authors: Isa Chandra Moskowitz

The hosts of the vegan cooking show "The Post Punk Kitchen" are back with a vengeance — and this time, looking at dessert. A companion volume to "Vegan with a Vengeance," "Vegan Cupcakes Take Over the World" is a sweet and sassy guide to baking everyone’s favorite treat without using any animal products.

This unique cookbook contains over 75 recipes for cupcakes and frostings — some innovative, some classics — with beautiful full color photographs. Isa and Terry offer delicious, cheap, dairy-free, egg-free and vegan-friendly recipes like Classic Vanilla Cupcakes (with chocolate frosting), Crimson Velveteen Cupcakes (red velvet with creamy white frosting), Linzer Torte Cupcakes (hazelnut with raspberry and chocolate ganache), Chai Latte Cupcakes (with powdered sugar) and Banana Split Cupcakes (banana-chocolate chip-pineapple with fluffy frosting).

Included also are gluten-free recipes, decorating tips, baking guidelines, vegan shopping advice, and Isa’s true cupcake anecdotes from the trenches. When "Vegan Cupcakes Take Over the World," no dessert lover can resist.