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The Happy Pear
Let's face it: while we want to eat more fruit and veg and things we know are good for us, we sometimes fall short because we're not sure how to turn all that great produce into great food. Well, welcome to the Happy Pear way of eating - healthy but never worthy, easy but never dull, and packed with mind-blowing flavour, exciting texture and vibrant colour. The Happy Pear opened ten years ago when twins David and Stephen Flynn, passionate about starting a food revolution in their home town, took over their local fruit and veg shop and later opened a café. Their revolution has not only succeeded, but it is spreading, and the Happy Pear's fans range from young parents to pensioners, ladies-who-lunch to teens-on-the-run, Electric Picnickers to Hollywood stars. David and Stephen's first cookbook is full of irresistible recipes for everything from everyday breakfasts, lunches and dinners, to scrumptious - and yes, still wholesome! - cakes and sweet treats, to special occasion splurges. David and Stephen also tell their story (how they transformed from jocks to hippies before finally finding their groove), share their top tips for maximizing taste and goodness in food, and explain how they've succeeded in building a food business based on flavour, health and community.
240 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2014
113 people are currently reading
248 people want to read
About the author
David Flynn
57 books20 followersShowing books from more then one distinct author by the name David Flynn. So far disambiguated as the following:
David E. Flynn
David C. Flynn aka goodreads author David Connelius Flynn
David M. Flynn
David E. Flynn
David C. Flynn aka goodreads author David Connelius Flynn
David M. Flynn
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Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
November 18, 2014
The rating is a mix, as there are some wonderful recipes and the food photography is excellent - although admittedly there could be said to be too many shots of the guys grinning while eating said food. Originally I was going to take off just one star for the nutritional (mis)information, as I'd remembered the most significant problem as just a few lines in the food "toolkit" at the back. But it's whoppingly misleading, and relates to the very successful Happy Heart programme, and the nutritionist in me couldn't let it go. (Also, they took down one of their recipes that had been free on their blog, tweaked it (stupidly) to make it a Happy Heart recipe and included in the book, and that makes me cranky too.)
So, the first problem is when they say under the section on oil: "Stand by, as we're about to get controversial! We use oil in many dishes, as it makes things taste good, but, in our eyes, as oil is 100% fat, has no fibre and offers very little in terms of vitamins and minerals, it is total junk food." In a section about the Happy Heart course they say: "The course excludes all refined and processed foods [...] and all oils, as they are high in saturated fat..." Okay, actually, in looking for the second line I've quoted, I've found yet another mistake: "If you want to reduce your cholesterol then it makes sense to cut foods that contain cholesterol - pretty rational, right?"
This is not even close to fitting in with more recent nutritional research, and is even more annoying when you consider another fact about the recipes; they are mostly quite to very high in sodium. (Yes, the old, simple understanding that salt directly caused high blood pressure and therefore stroke & heart attack in everyone has changed, but this course is aimed at a population likely to have high blood pressure and possibly the sodium/high bp connection.) The Happy Pear Dahl recipe I'd found on the website before now has no oil but 3 teaspoons of salt (6900 g sodium) and 3 tablespoons (approximately 2700 g sodium) of soy/tamari/Bragg Liquid Aminos sauce, serving 4 people. I make that 2400 g of sodium pp, which is just above the usual recommended *daily* limit. It's not the recipe with the least amount of sodium, but neither is it atypically high. Something similar also goes on with sweeteners/sugar, with occasional over-reliance on the supposedly "healthy" nature of substitutes for processed sugar, such as agave syrup.
The shop/café is lovely, and they truly have created a wonderful community as well as business. Some of that is reflected in the cookbook, which I might well end up buying. But really, in terms of one of their supposed areas of expertise, I can only rate this as a whopping SHOULD DO BETTER.
So, the first problem is when they say under the section on oil: "Stand by, as we're about to get controversial! We use oil in many dishes, as it makes things taste good, but, in our eyes, as oil is 100% fat, has no fibre and offers very little in terms of vitamins and minerals, it is total junk food." In a section about the Happy Heart course they say: "The course excludes all refined and processed foods [...] and all oils, as they are high in saturated fat..." Okay, actually, in looking for the second line I've quoted, I've found yet another mistake: "If you want to reduce your cholesterol then it makes sense to cut foods that contain cholesterol - pretty rational, right?"
This is not even close to fitting in with more recent nutritional research, and is even more annoying when you consider another fact about the recipes; they are mostly quite to very high in sodium. (Yes, the old, simple understanding that salt directly caused high blood pressure and therefore stroke & heart attack in everyone has changed, but this course is aimed at a population likely to have high blood pressure and possibly the sodium/high bp connection.) The Happy Pear Dahl recipe I'd found on the website before now has no oil but 3 teaspoons of salt (6900 g sodium) and 3 tablespoons (approximately 2700 g sodium) of soy/tamari/Bragg Liquid Aminos sauce, serving 4 people. I make that 2400 g of sodium pp, which is just above the usual recommended *daily* limit. It's not the recipe with the least amount of sodium, but neither is it atypically high. Something similar also goes on with sweeteners/sugar, with occasional over-reliance on the supposedly "healthy" nature of substitutes for processed sugar, such as agave syrup.
The shop/café is lovely, and they truly have created a wonderful community as well as business. Some of that is reflected in the cookbook, which I might well end up buying. But really, in terms of one of their supposed areas of expertise, I can only rate this as a whopping SHOULD DO BETTER.
January 31, 2018
These guys are great. The cookbook is inspiring in character and upbeat. I love the vibe they give off. So far, I've loved the recipes that I've made. My only small criticism is that they give information about nutrition, saying that cheese and olive oil aren't good for you, but then use it in their recipes.
As a vegan, I can make most of the recipes, but some of the really great ones do require animal products and don't give suggestion for adaptation (even though they're vegan themselves).
Also: definitely use less salt and olive oil than they suggest! I tend to replace the olive oil they use in sauces with water.
As a vegan, I can make most of the recipes, but some of the really great ones do require animal products and don't give suggestion for adaptation (even though they're vegan themselves).
Also: definitely use less salt and olive oil than they suggest! I tend to replace the olive oil they use in sauces with water.
January 3, 2016
Terribly disappointing with sketchy 'science.'
The authors advocate a plant-based diet, citing endorsements from two internationally renowned vegans (Drs Esselstyn and Campbell) on one page, and then publish recipes containing multiple eggs on almost every other.
On the non-recipe pages, we're mostly treated to pictures of the authors grinning and eating or accounts of their shop, their programme and their journey. This makes the book feel less like a recipe book and more like a memoire with some recipes thrown in.
As for the recipes themselves, I found them disappointing. The dessert section was so full of eggs and sugar, it made me question how they could really print them alongside a chapter advocating clean living and a plant based diet. The savoury recipes lacked imagination. Stew, curry and soup is hardly inspiring.
Perhaps this book could be useful to someone starting off on a vegan or plant based diet. For those who are more experienced, you can certainly find more inspiration elsewhere.
The authors advocate a plant-based diet, citing endorsements from two internationally renowned vegans (Drs Esselstyn and Campbell) on one page, and then publish recipes containing multiple eggs on almost every other.
On the non-recipe pages, we're mostly treated to pictures of the authors grinning and eating or accounts of their shop, their programme and their journey. This makes the book feel less like a recipe book and more like a memoire with some recipes thrown in.
As for the recipes themselves, I found them disappointing. The dessert section was so full of eggs and sugar, it made me question how they could really print them alongside a chapter advocating clean living and a plant based diet. The savoury recipes lacked imagination. Stew, curry and soup is hardly inspiring.
Perhaps this book could be useful to someone starting off on a vegan or plant based diet. For those who are more experienced, you can certainly find more inspiration elsewhere.
May 13, 2015
I really enjoyed this book. I'm not a Vegetarian but I do enjoy veggies.
I think I'm going to get my Fiance to bring me out to their cafe at the weekend. I think I would really enjoy the food and the atmosphere.
I think I'm going to get my Fiance to bring me out to their cafe at the weekend. I think I would really enjoy the food and the atmosphere.
June 29, 2019
This Irish vegetarian cookbook is a delight! Genuine Indian influences in the family makes for some very authentic recipes.
October 22, 2023
When I picked up this book, I didn’t know anything about the Happy Pear or the Flynn brothers. I just thought there might be some nice recipes that I could learn and perhaps try. I like that the book doesn’t just contain recipes but also the story of how the twin brothers became vegetarians and how they started their business and built a community around it in their hometown of Greystones. There are photos galore of the meals and of the brothers, grinning in every single one of them and giving off positive vibes. You can tell that they love what they do!
As for the recipes, there is a bit of everything: breakfast, bread, soups, salads, mains (including a lot of Asian-inspired dishes), dressings and dips and of course desserts. The ingredients are usually things that everyone either already has at home or they are things that are widely available (I guess that’s due to the fact they try to source and even grow many of the foods for their shop and cafe locally). You do need a blender or a food processor for a lot of the recipes though.
I’m not sure if I will actually follow any of the recipes to cook a meal – I’m not very good with following recipes, I don’t have a food processor and generally I tend to just improvise with whatever I happen to have in the fridge and the food cupboard. But I like the last part of the book, the “toolkit” which is a handy, alphabetical guide of foods and tips & techniques on how best to use them.
In addition to useful advice about food and interesting recipes, I like the heart-warming effect of the book. The story of The Happy Pear is inspiring and to know there are people and communities like this out there makes me feel positive about the world.
As for the recipes, there is a bit of everything: breakfast, bread, soups, salads, mains (including a lot of Asian-inspired dishes), dressings and dips and of course desserts. The ingredients are usually things that everyone either already has at home or they are things that are widely available (I guess that’s due to the fact they try to source and even grow many of the foods for their shop and cafe locally). You do need a blender or a food processor for a lot of the recipes though.
I’m not sure if I will actually follow any of the recipes to cook a meal – I’m not very good with following recipes, I don’t have a food processor and generally I tend to just improvise with whatever I happen to have in the fridge and the food cupboard. But I like the last part of the book, the “toolkit” which is a handy, alphabetical guide of foods and tips & techniques on how best to use them.
In addition to useful advice about food and interesting recipes, I like the heart-warming effect of the book. The story of The Happy Pear is inspiring and to know there are people and communities like this out there makes me feel positive about the world.
March 6, 2019
Not so much 'read' as flipped through over the course of a couple of hours last night. The recipes, however, look utterly delicious, so I will be applying my cooking 'skills' to many of them over the next few weeks while I'm trying to limit my sugar intake and seriously up my veggies. There are some seriously hearty, flavourful and exceptionally healthy options here. The thing about these meals is that although they are vegetarian/vegan, it is easy to add meat to any of them if you wish.
Easy, fun and some light background on how the boys found their passion, began their company and started living the dream. We should all be so lucky!
Easy, fun and some light background on how the boys found their passion, began their company and started living the dream. We should all be so lucky!
September 4, 2017
This brightly coloured cookbook seemed like a good resource for healthy cooking and eating. After making the Happy Pear Scone recipe, however, it was a strange foray into using up all of the flour in the house (six cups of flour, once converted into British gram measurements!) and a goopy mess when described to mix everything with my hands. Also puzzling was the direction to press the dough into 3 cm thick scones-those are enormous! Not sure I will try this cookbook again.
January 16, 2018
Disappointed
I was so excited to download this book on kindle, with a view to buying a hard copy with Christmas money. Sadly anything printed in yellow is unreadable on kindle :( So no point waiting your money. Very disappointed and never had this problem before. What I can read of the recipes, they look nice, clear photos but with half the text missing, I couldn't recommend this book to download :(
I was so excited to download this book on kindle, with a view to buying a hard copy with Christmas money. Sadly anything printed in yellow is unreadable on kindle :( So no point waiting your money. Very disappointed and never had this problem before. What I can read of the recipes, they look nice, clear photos but with half the text missing, I couldn't recommend this book to download :(
February 17, 2019
Love these recipes, well set out, easy to follow, beautifully illustrated. Not sure I want to buy into the whole Happy Pear Lifestyle, but do like to eat more vegetables in a variety of interesting and innovative ways and the brothers tick that box. Their recipes are original and inventive, fusion without the confusion. Love it.
January 2, 2020
Honestly disappointed. This one isn't plant based, there are eggs and dairy products in some of the recipes, and there wasn't really many I'd want to make. Vegan food is so delicious, and there's absolutely no need for dairy or eggs, so I was really disappointed in this one especially since the authors themselves talk about how no one should be eating animal products...
March 20, 2020
Overall not a great book. There is too much lifestyle, self-boosterism and not enough discussion of what is needed to make particular recipes succeed or the variables that can be altered within them.
I would not bother to purchase this, it would be better skimmed as a source of inspiration at a library or a friends'.
Their Bray restaurant is great though.
I would not bother to purchase this, it would be better skimmed as a source of inspiration at a library or a friends'.
Their Bray restaurant is great though.
April 28, 2018
Whilst the recipes are varied and interesting, their method of eating healthy is way too strict for me and is not so easy to attain. A good book to dip into if you want a little something else added to your meals.
September 5, 2020
Excellent intro to vegan cooking.
A great complement to the online course or you can watch the Happy Pear YouTube videos.
Great book with clear, simple instructions. I highly recommend.
A great complement to the online course or you can watch the Happy Pear YouTube videos.
Great book with clear, simple instructions. I highly recommend.
June 4, 2018
These brothers are awesome. I love their story and I love their YouTube channel and blog. Their excitement for plant based eating is contagious.
October 6, 2018
Happy 😀pear
Love all the cook books so many meals to choose from..
Especially now that I have the three books in my collection 👍🏻💕
Love all the cook books so many meals to choose from..
Especially now that I have the three books in my collection 👍🏻💕
December 31, 2018
Some great recipes.
August 17, 2019
Great book! I got a lot of great ideas from this book. Even if I don’t follow the recipes exactly, I’m sure the results will be great!
May 4, 2020
a cookbook with mostly basic ingredients and flavourful spices - I love it <3
January 13, 2021
Delicious recipes but a lot of ingredients. Not for the beginner cook.
March 11, 2025
Some lovely vegetarian recipes that I can’t wait to try.
February 3, 2016
Well some of the recipes are delicious, the lasagnes came out well. However it nearly went in the bin because of the very dodgy nutritional and scientific information which made me grrrrr..... In some cases it is a case of 1+1 =5, I.e. Putting two pieces of information together and leaping to a nonsensical conclusion. E.g. Chlorophyll is similar in structure to haemoglobin, therefore must be good for us! Well I don't think it can irreversibly bind oxygen and deliver it around the body for cellular respiration! As for oil being junk food....haven't they heard of macronutrients?
So great food but don't read the other bits......
So great food but don't read the other bits......
June 3, 2016
A great recipe book. It's not often you want to read a recipe book from cover to cover, but this one invited you to do it, and you felt amply rewarded.
From the origins of The Happy Pear through their beliefs about food and some genuinely different recipes this book is an eye-opener for healthy eating. It's turned me on to sprouted beans and introduced me to some amazing ways to prepare food - some uncooked, most gluten-free and some amazing flavours.
Kale. sprouted beans and Goji salad has now become my 'goto' lunch on many days. Who ever would believe I would enjoy raw kale?
And I've finished it just as their new book (The World of the Happy Pear) arrives...
From the origins of The Happy Pear through their beliefs about food and some genuinely different recipes this book is an eye-opener for healthy eating. It's turned me on to sprouted beans and introduced me to some amazing ways to prepare food - some uncooked, most gluten-free and some amazing flavours.
Kale. sprouted beans and Goji salad has now become my 'goto' lunch on many days. Who ever would believe I would enjoy raw kale?
And I've finished it just as their new book (The World of the Happy Pear) arrives...
September 25, 2016
Brilliant recipes
Love these guys enthusiasm. The recipes are super, tasty and healthy. I would recommend this book to anyone wanting to try vegetarian or vegan food at home.
Love these guys enthusiasm. The recipes are super, tasty and healthy. I would recommend this book to anyone wanting to try vegetarian or vegan food at home.
August 30, 2016
Wonderful recipes that can be easily adapted to "no sugar, no wheat, no flour!"
April 5, 2017
It's not very often you'll find yourself reading a cookbook from cover to cover, but this one I did! This delightful offering from The Happy Pear guys - twin brothers David and Stephen Flynn - is a cookbook and little memoir in one. It takes you through the lads' story, from their jock days to their hippie days, and beyond. They started out ten years ago by taking over the running of the local fruit and veg shop in their local Greystones, before opening their own café, manning a stand at Electric Picnic (super famous Irish music and culture festival, for those of you who don't know!) and introducing their own recipes, cookbooks, food line and cooking courses. They swim daily in the sea (not for the fainthearted here in this Irish climate, I tell you!) and are brilliant and inspiring advocates for the wholesome and healthy-eating phenomenon.
This book is an amazing addition to my kitchen. I am not vegetarian but, lately, have been looking towards plant-based eating as a means of being healthier. We now eat two to three vegetarian or vegan meals a week in our house, and my husband and 15-month-old love it! This book is great for full-on dinners (think curries, casseroles, stews, soups etc.) and for side dishes, such as salads, dips, dressings etc. I love its healthy porridge recipes and additions, such as fruit compote and granola, and its sweet treats!! Not all recipes are dairy-free and gluten-free, but the vast majority are. The lads have introduced a useful code that will tell you exactly what you're eating, so it's very easy to follow if you do have any allergies or intolerances.
A brilliant addition to this book is the information on the Happy Heart course, which promises to reduce cholesterol and, quite literally, make your heart happy (and healthy!). An excellent way of eating if you require that kind of adjustment in your life.
Overall, this book is brilliant. The recipes are full of flavour and colour, and easy to make, the lads' story is interesting, and their whole lifestyle choice and mission to just make everyone "eat more veg" is commendable and inspiring. I would recommend this to anyone with an interest in cooking or healthy eating. I love The Happy Pear boys (and I love that they're Irish!).
This book is an amazing addition to my kitchen. I am not vegetarian but, lately, have been looking towards plant-based eating as a means of being healthier. We now eat two to three vegetarian or vegan meals a week in our house, and my husband and 15-month-old love it! This book is great for full-on dinners (think curries, casseroles, stews, soups etc.) and for side dishes, such as salads, dips, dressings etc. I love its healthy porridge recipes and additions, such as fruit compote and granola, and its sweet treats!! Not all recipes are dairy-free and gluten-free, but the vast majority are. The lads have introduced a useful code that will tell you exactly what you're eating, so it's very easy to follow if you do have any allergies or intolerances.
A brilliant addition to this book is the information on the Happy Heart course, which promises to reduce cholesterol and, quite literally, make your heart happy (and healthy!). An excellent way of eating if you require that kind of adjustment in your life.
Overall, this book is brilliant. The recipes are full of flavour and colour, and easy to make, the lads' story is interesting, and their whole lifestyle choice and mission to just make everyone "eat more veg" is commendable and inspiring. I would recommend this to anyone with an interest in cooking or healthy eating. I love The Happy Pear boys (and I love that they're Irish!).
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