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How It All Vegan!: Irresistible Recipes for an Animal-Free Diet
Vegan food is fabulous food, full of flavor and all the nutrients you need. With fun illustrations and a cool, punky sensibility, How It All Vegan! will tempt you to join the Vegan Empire. "Written with sass, style, and a sense of humor. More than just a cookbook. . . ."— BUST
224 pages, Paperback
First published September 1, 1999
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 152 reviews
August 8, 2019
This is one of the first vegan books I was aware of when I started to get interested in vegetarian/vegan cookbooks. There are no photos, but I like the 1950s-themed decoration of the pages, and the recipes are plenty, and not just of the food stuff. The Canadian authors have backgrounds in baking and catering; some of the recipes are due to Kramer's Jewish background (but are interesting, like all others).
At the end are some fun-stuff recipes for kids and pets, some non-food recipes for cleaning and make-up stuff, and an appendix of animal-origin ingredients. The authors start the book with short stories of how they became vegan; then give a short guide to how to become one too, list some substitutions and general ingredients descriptions. The recipes are grouped by type, with some comments before, and the instructions are not long in general. Some before-comments are marked with S or T to show the authors' comments.
The breads-section is reserved for yeast-free products. Some of the dishes have somewhat awkward titles, but nothing too embarrassing; I guess they're meant to be funny. By looking at the number of how many recipes I thought were particularly interesting, I'd say that while there's no pictures and pages might look plain, the recipes make this worth it, especially when you're a starter (I'm not listing some examples this time, because I could get tired *lol*). So while it took some time to get around to reading this, it was worth it.
At the end are some fun-stuff recipes for kids and pets, some non-food recipes for cleaning and make-up stuff, and an appendix of animal-origin ingredients. The authors start the book with short stories of how they became vegan; then give a short guide to how to become one too, list some substitutions and general ingredients descriptions. The recipes are grouped by type, with some comments before, and the instructions are not long in general. Some before-comments are marked with S or T to show the authors' comments.
The breads-section is reserved for yeast-free products. Some of the dishes have somewhat awkward titles, but nothing too embarrassing; I guess they're meant to be funny. By looking at the number of how many recipes I thought were particularly interesting, I'd say that while there's no pictures and pages might look plain, the recipes make this worth it, especially when you're a starter (I'm not listing some examples this time, because I could get tired *lol*). So while it took some time to get around to reading this, it was worth it.
May 13, 2007
This is a good book for beginning or long term vegans. Unfortunately, at first didn’t see the bee products which aren’t vegan, but I do have it on my vegan shelf anyway because it’s such a unique and fun read (one of those many cookbooks I can happily read from cover to cover), and the recipes are easy to prepare and not intimidating for beginner vegans & vegetarians. I must say also that even if you are not a vegan/vegetarian, I’d still recommend this book. It’s written by 2 Canadian women and it’s a very entertaining and informative read. It has some unique facts and enjoyable comments & pictures, and there are recipes for foods for animal companions, and also non-edible products made from food, such as household and personal care products. Vegans: please ignore & avoid the bee products.
Gift from a good vegan friend, who's from Canada.
Gift from a good vegan friend, who's from Canada.
February 17, 2010
This was the first vegan cookbook I purchased and it taught me a lot about vegan cooking techniques. It also taught me how to "veganize" some of my favorite baking goods with healthier alternatives. We are not vegan but I do my best to sneak in vegan meals whenever I can.
I've tried many of the recipes and our hands-down favorite that I make every week are the chocolate peanut butter cups on page 134. These things are a gourmet delight and are so easy to make. Find yourself some healthy organic graham crackers, trans-fat free margarine, turbinado sugar, organic choc chips, soy milk & natural peanut butter and you have yourself an *almost* healthy and totally trans-fat free snack that you can eat guilt free knowing no animals were harmed in the process.
Another favorite is "Sarah's Delicious Chili". Even my meat loving husband loves this one. And the "Brainless Banana Pancakes" on pg 45 are a staple that I try to keep stocked in my freezer for rushed mornings. They're also a great way to use up mushy bananas.
Unfortunately, I've also found a few duds. The Chocolate Chip Bars on pg 135 were a huge disappointment. They were very cakey in texture and are still sitting in my freezer uneaten and unloved. Anybody want?
The apple bran muffins on pg 50 were blah. I ate my way thru them because I hate throwing away healthy food but it wasn't something I looked forward to each morning and won't make them again.
There's also a spice rub and a spicy noodle recipe that I've tried and love and a huge section on home cleaning and beauty recipes.
I've tried many of the recipes and our hands-down favorite that I make every week are the chocolate peanut butter cups on page 134. These things are a gourmet delight and are so easy to make. Find yourself some healthy organic graham crackers, trans-fat free margarine, turbinado sugar, organic choc chips, soy milk & natural peanut butter and you have yourself an *almost* healthy and totally trans-fat free snack that you can eat guilt free knowing no animals were harmed in the process.
Another favorite is "Sarah's Delicious Chili". Even my meat loving husband loves this one. And the "Brainless Banana Pancakes" on pg 45 are a staple that I try to keep stocked in my freezer for rushed mornings. They're also a great way to use up mushy bananas.
Unfortunately, I've also found a few duds. The Chocolate Chip Bars on pg 135 were a huge disappointment. They were very cakey in texture and are still sitting in my freezer uneaten and unloved. Anybody want?
The apple bran muffins on pg 50 were blah. I ate my way thru them because I hate throwing away healthy food but it wasn't something I looked forward to each morning and won't make them again.
There's also a spice rub and a spicy noodle recipe that I've tried and love and a huge section on home cleaning and beauty recipes.
September 23, 2007
This book is filled with a lot of great vegan recipes that sound, for the most part, very easy to prepare. It's written in a very informal, fun style. As you can tell from the looks of the two girls on the cover, it's not pretentious. It's not preachy either, since people become vegetarian or vegan for all different reasons. Of course, you don't have to be a veghead to get something out of this book.
In addition to the recipes, there's some good info on substitutes you can use in any recipe for milk, butter and eggs which is a great resource for vegans as well as any cook who has gotten all into her dessert making and realized she's out of eggs :)
There's a section on how to make your own cosmetics, toothpaste, mouthwash, household cleaners, lotions, etc. that I thought was a great addition. You don't have to go spend all kinds of money on spray bottles of chemicals when you already have in your kitchen what you need to clean your house.
The appendix is filled with words that show up on the ingredients list that are unfamiliar to many people. It spells out what it is, whether or not it's vegan and what alternatives there are. Another good resource.
I highly recommend this book. I think just about anyone can get something out of it. Now I'm going to go make the muligatawny soup...
In addition to the recipes, there's some good info on substitutes you can use in any recipe for milk, butter and eggs which is a great resource for vegans as well as any cook who has gotten all into her dessert making and realized she's out of eggs :)
There's a section on how to make your own cosmetics, toothpaste, mouthwash, household cleaners, lotions, etc. that I thought was a great addition. You don't have to go spend all kinds of money on spray bottles of chemicals when you already have in your kitchen what you need to clean your house.
The appendix is filled with words that show up on the ingredients list that are unfamiliar to many people. It spells out what it is, whether or not it's vegan and what alternatives there are. Another good resource.
I highly recommend this book. I think just about anyone can get something out of it. Now I'm going to go make the muligatawny soup...
May 4, 2010
I am really loving this cook book. The recipes seem more simple than the ones in Veganomicon. I've made eggless egg salad twice and last night I made some maple nut brownies (sans the nuts). Both of these only have a few ingredients and I can make them super fast AND they turned out delicious. So delicious that I ate the entire pan of maple nutless brownies in about 10 hours.
There are also recipes for cleaning and beauty products.
I've never checked a cook book out of the library before but I'm so happy that I did!
I will for sure purchase this book to keep.
There are also recipes for cleaning and beauty products.
I've never checked a cook book out of the library before but I'm so happy that I did!
I will for sure purchase this book to keep.
July 31, 2007
I haven't tried everything but it all looks edible and easy to make. The cookies are great for your lactose-intolerant friends and what the recipes lack in explicit instructions they make up for in enthusiasm and gusto.
there are instructions in the back for making your own toothpaste, skin cleansers, and a list of 40 things you can do with vinegar. Great resource when cooking for a crowd with many allergies, sensitivities, etc.
there are instructions in the back for making your own toothpaste, skin cleansers, and a list of 40 things you can do with vinegar. Great resource when cooking for a crowd with many allergies, sensitivities, etc.
November 27, 2009
Have you or you loved one’s been affected by the “Thanksgiving Day Dilemma?” By tradition Thanksgiving is a meat-centered day. However, while most Americans celebrate the holiday many hosts or guests, do not eat meat. Hence, millions of hosts or guests are experiencing the Thanksgiving Day Dilemma of what to serve, or bring, to accommodate all palates.
Coming to the rescue of vegan challenged cooks everywhere is How it all Vegan the 10th anniversary edition by Tanya Barnard and Sarah Kramer. How it All Vegan solves the Thanksgiving Day Dilemma with seasonally appropriate recipes, including, Tofurky, Roasted Garlic Potatoes, Perfect Pumpkin Pie and many more. The recipes are comprised of everyday ingredients and are simple enough for even the most inexperienced of cooks.
How it all Vegan is part vegan cookbook and part primer for living the vegan life. However, while the authors are passionate about their life style they are not preachy or part of what they call the “Vegan Police.” Rather they simply explain the why and how of their conversions. Their non-judgmental writing style is what makes this book accessible to vegans and non-vegans alike. Eaters of all palates will enjoy mouthwatering fare such as Classic Spinach Lasagna, Butternut Tomato Soup, Raspberry Cornmeal Muffins, and Peppermint Patties (that look like York Peppermint Patties on steroids!).
Whether you’re going vegan for a meal, a month, or for life How it all Vegan is an invaluable resource!
Publisher: Arsenal Pulp Press; 10 Anv edition (September 1, 2009), 240 pages
Advance Review Copy Provided Courtesy of the publisher.
Coming to the rescue of vegan challenged cooks everywhere is How it all Vegan the 10th anniversary edition by Tanya Barnard and Sarah Kramer. How it All Vegan solves the Thanksgiving Day Dilemma with seasonally appropriate recipes, including, Tofurky, Roasted Garlic Potatoes, Perfect Pumpkin Pie and many more. The recipes are comprised of everyday ingredients and are simple enough for even the most inexperienced of cooks.
How it all Vegan is part vegan cookbook and part primer for living the vegan life. However, while the authors are passionate about their life style they are not preachy or part of what they call the “Vegan Police.” Rather they simply explain the why and how of their conversions. Their non-judgmental writing style is what makes this book accessible to vegans and non-vegans alike. Eaters of all palates will enjoy mouthwatering fare such as Classic Spinach Lasagna, Butternut Tomato Soup, Raspberry Cornmeal Muffins, and Peppermint Patties (that look like York Peppermint Patties on steroids!).
Whether you’re going vegan for a meal, a month, or for life How it all Vegan is an invaluable resource!
Publisher: Arsenal Pulp Press; 10 Anv edition (September 1, 2009), 240 pages
Advance Review Copy Provided Courtesy of the publisher.
February 19, 2008
I'm not quite sure why people like this cookbook so much. Granted I'm not a vegan anymore, but I never much liked the recipes in here. I used to think people only liked this one cause of the hip young folks on the cover, but I should probably give my friends more credit than that. As far as vegan friendly cookbooks go, I'm more a fan of classics like the Moosewood Cookbook. And, if you want the cookbook author to be someone young and hip, I'd recommend the lovely and talented Isa Chandra Moskowitz. She was a young rabble rouser with me back in New York City, and I can attest to the the fact that she is, in fact, quite cool (not to mention a fine chef). (Of course, if she's my age she can't really be all that young or hip, but you get the point.)
May 24, 2012
This is the perfect book for someone looking for substitutions for the prepared foods you grow up with. Whether you're vegan or just needing to remove an animal ingredient from your diet, this book has creative solutions for anything. A few other books I tried could give incredible, even gourmet recipies, but that's not what I needed. I was starting from no skill in the kitchen and a new set of dietary restrictions. Their style and enthusiasm makes it fun to read. This is the next best thing to having a friend with years of experience in dealing with a limited diet but limitless ideas.
January 13, 2018
I originally started this post two years ago. It was suppose to be for a Vegan MOFO prompt. I am not 100% sure what it was, but it was something like "favorite cookbook" or "show us your cookbook collection." I figured I would do a quick post about this one. Well, considering this was my very first vegan cookbook and I've owned it for over 10 years, it has had a few recipes made from it.
After reading Jenny Marie's cook-a-long monthly challenge, I thought yeah, I should finish this post. In the spirit of this post I figured I would share some posts reviewing the book as well.
Photos
None. A big downfall of the book, I know. There is no photos of the recipes, but there are some retro stock photos at the beginning of the chapters. There are some fun retro styled clipart throughout the book. The green and greyscale design does keep the book visually interesting. This never bothered me much since photoless cookbooks I think were much more common at the time, before the blogalution
Set-up
What I love about this book is that it is very "zine"-y. I might not of known much about zines when I first picked this up, but I loved how personal it was. It didn't start with a chapter how they were chefs, or their relationship with food, no it was about why they became vegan. I think this was the first time I'd ever actually READ a cookbook.
After the introduction of why Tanya and Sarah went vegan, the book goes into a quick substitute section, giving readers a rough idea of how to modify non-vegan recipes. The chapters then go into various different food types, breakfast, soups, drinks, entrees, etc etc. Then instead of ending with desserts, the book continues with various little recipes and tips for raising vegan kids, and other hacks that are vegan but aren't food related. My REAL favorite part of the book was the list of non-vegan ingredients.
Writing
As mentioned the charm and shortcomings of the cookbook can be credited to their zine roots. On Sarah Kramer's website, she says how she and co-author Tanya made homebound recipe zines for friends and family. After the positive feedback, they decided to try and publish a book. This book reminded me of the cookbook my older sister made to raise money for her sorority. These are recipes made for people who are cooking in regular old kitchens, with budgets, and limited time. The ingredients are practical, instructions are easy, and everything is easy to modify for personal preference.
But since Sarah and Tanya are not chef's there are some holes. Some recipes are overly simplified, or not as good as what they could be. And some of information is a little vague, or at this point outdated. For example B12 is listed under non-vegan ingredients, when I am 99% sure almost all B12 supplements are vegan (well, the B12 part, the capsules might not).
And then she has the whole breads section saying yeast is bad. It is a little confusing, as they recommend sourdough starters. Spoiler alert- that's yeast! I get it. There are lots people who think instant yeast isn't as good as sourdough, but that isn't communicated in the book. Plus they give recipes soda breads, which doesn't fix the active yeast problem. This blog post is really good at explaining the theory about why instant yeast isn't the greatest. She also says kamut is a great wheat replacement. It isn't. It is just a different STRAIN of wheat. It is easy to give her a pass since the internet wasn't so expansive as it is today. Answers weren't as easily a google search away.
Overview
As I mentioned- I've had this book for over 10 years, and we are getting close to their 20th anniversary! I would love to see a big book revamp for the occasion. New photos! Updated information (as mentioned with the bread thing)! Anything really. It looks like their 10th anniversary release didn't have that much changed other than a pretty little logo on the front.
As much as I love how down to earth and un-intimidating this cookbook is, so much has changed since it's release. Veganism is much more common, probably thanks to blogs. Oh blogs, you have given us so much in the publication front of cookbooks. They are both a blessing and a curse.
One thing I am loving about How It All Vegan over most modern vegan cookbooks is how much information this has. Just little bits of stuff in the kids section, lots of homemade toiletries, and cleaning tips. I would love to see this book become more trendy to reach a wider audience. Come on Sarah Kramer! I know you can do this! All that being said, I think this book is still super useful, and every new vegan could learn a lot from this book. It is easy to flip through, and it easy to add your own personal flair to all the recipes.
Recipes
I do warn anyone who wants to see what I made from the book. THERE IS A LOT! I know I've made even MORE in the book, and boy I don't even feel like I scratched the surface. There are LOTS of recipes in the book. I've made more than what I wrote about for sure, but I don't remember the results. I know I've made more her desserts, but I'm a little fuzzy on the details. Click here to read all the recipe reviews on my blog
After reading Jenny Marie's cook-a-long monthly challenge, I thought yeah, I should finish this post. In the spirit of this post I figured I would share some posts reviewing the book as well.
Photos
None. A big downfall of the book, I know. There is no photos of the recipes, but there are some retro stock photos at the beginning of the chapters. There are some fun retro styled clipart throughout the book. The green and greyscale design does keep the book visually interesting. This never bothered me much since photoless cookbooks I think were much more common at the time, before the blogalution
Set-up
What I love about this book is that it is very "zine"-y. I might not of known much about zines when I first picked this up, but I loved how personal it was. It didn't start with a chapter how they were chefs, or their relationship with food, no it was about why they became vegan. I think this was the first time I'd ever actually READ a cookbook.
After the introduction of why Tanya and Sarah went vegan, the book goes into a quick substitute section, giving readers a rough idea of how to modify non-vegan recipes. The chapters then go into various different food types, breakfast, soups, drinks, entrees, etc etc. Then instead of ending with desserts, the book continues with various little recipes and tips for raising vegan kids, and other hacks that are vegan but aren't food related. My REAL favorite part of the book was the list of non-vegan ingredients.
Writing
As mentioned the charm and shortcomings of the cookbook can be credited to their zine roots. On Sarah Kramer's website, she says how she and co-author Tanya made homebound recipe zines for friends and family. After the positive feedback, they decided to try and publish a book. This book reminded me of the cookbook my older sister made to raise money for her sorority. These are recipes made for people who are cooking in regular old kitchens, with budgets, and limited time. The ingredients are practical, instructions are easy, and everything is easy to modify for personal preference.
But since Sarah and Tanya are not chef's there are some holes. Some recipes are overly simplified, or not as good as what they could be. And some of information is a little vague, or at this point outdated. For example B12 is listed under non-vegan ingredients, when I am 99% sure almost all B12 supplements are vegan (well, the B12 part, the capsules might not).
And then she has the whole breads section saying yeast is bad. It is a little confusing, as they recommend sourdough starters. Spoiler alert- that's yeast! I get it. There are lots people who think instant yeast isn't as good as sourdough, but that isn't communicated in the book. Plus they give recipes soda breads, which doesn't fix the active yeast problem. This blog post is really good at explaining the theory about why instant yeast isn't the greatest. She also says kamut is a great wheat replacement. It isn't. It is just a different STRAIN of wheat. It is easy to give her a pass since the internet wasn't so expansive as it is today. Answers weren't as easily a google search away.
Overview
As I mentioned- I've had this book for over 10 years, and we are getting close to their 20th anniversary! I would love to see a big book revamp for the occasion. New photos! Updated information (as mentioned with the bread thing)! Anything really. It looks like their 10th anniversary release didn't have that much changed other than a pretty little logo on the front.
As much as I love how down to earth and un-intimidating this cookbook is, so much has changed since it's release. Veganism is much more common, probably thanks to blogs. Oh blogs, you have given us so much in the publication front of cookbooks. They are both a blessing and a curse.
One thing I am loving about How It All Vegan over most modern vegan cookbooks is how much information this has. Just little bits of stuff in the kids section, lots of homemade toiletries, and cleaning tips. I would love to see this book become more trendy to reach a wider audience. Come on Sarah Kramer! I know you can do this! All that being said, I think this book is still super useful, and every new vegan could learn a lot from this book. It is easy to flip through, and it easy to add your own personal flair to all the recipes.
Recipes
I do warn anyone who wants to see what I made from the book. THERE IS A LOT! I know I've made even MORE in the book, and boy I don't even feel like I scratched the surface. There are LOTS of recipes in the book. I've made more than what I wrote about for sure, but I don't remember the results. I know I've made more her desserts, but I'm a little fuzzy on the details. Click here to read all the recipe reviews on my blog
November 21, 2014
okay, so this is a cookbook. mostly i'm reviewing it here to remind myself not to go through the effort of hunting it down once again only to realize that--just kidding!--i've already read this lame cookbook a thousand times. this is a vegan cookbook for people who aren't vegans and/or don't know how to cook. i don't need another recipe for stir fry (OH MY GOD!!!), grain burgers, vegan muffins, smoothies, or zucchini bread. f'real. this cookbook is fucking boring.
November 24, 2008
My first vegan cookbook! I love Sarah Kramer and she can do no wrong as far as I'm concerned. I keep coming back to these recipe's again and again. The Gorgous Guacamole and Holy Moly Hummus will always be my standard snack foods. I have never had a Guacamole that compared. Most taste bland in comparison.
This book basically convinced me that I could go vegan.
This book basically convinced me that I could go vegan.
July 16, 2010
I really enjoy this cookbook. They have great tips, substitutions and fun ideas to keep the kids busy. But a lot of the recipes require tons of ingredients and there are lots of leftovers. quick and easy vegan cookbooks for the single lady. anyone??
August 22, 2012
Are you ever finished with a cookbook? I've read it and marked a lot of recipes to try and I'll post back when I tried them. Love the "How It All"-part and a lot of basic information like how to do your own of a lot yummy things.
December 10, 2010
A really great book shows us how everything is great and worth to die for
November 19, 2014
Good for a beginner vegan but not so much for an experienced cook.
March 26, 2025
An early vegan recipe book that still holds value today - which says a lot, considering how much we have advanced in terms of quality vegan food. These ladies got it right the first time. Plenty of delicious staple recipes - simple, too! The dessert section is always my favourite and they didn’t disappoint here either.
November 27, 2017
Some amazing recipes in here that set me on the path to veganism years ago! Consider going back just to enjoy some of their recipes.
January 9, 2018
Love it all, except for the title with its perplexing pronunciation issues.
June 18, 2018
The BEST Vegan cookbook. I have cooked/baked almost every recipe in this book.
January 23, 2012
January 2-3, 2012
I was hoping for more inspiration from this cookbook than I received. I generally do not follow recipes (unless they are baked goods) so I prefer to be inspired by recipes rather than following each and every ingredient. However, this book is geared more towards vegan newbies than an ol' pro like myself. The soups in the book seem to offer the best bet when it comes to the book (I am generally a good judge of whether a recipe will be good). I bookmarked some of the soups but largely it is beginners information and recipes that I already have favorite methods for (like guacamole, hummus, simple soups, salads, breads, peppermint patties etc.). The authors also use tofu a lot, even in their salad dressings. I enjoy tofu, but I feature it differently in my kitchen--the authors and I simply have conflicting styles of sorts!
P.S. The title also bothers me since they're trying to rhyme vegan with began I suppose and those two words do not rhyme. Too many people already pronounce vegan wrong!
I was hoping for more inspiration from this cookbook than I received. I generally do not follow recipes (unless they are baked goods) so I prefer to be inspired by recipes rather than following each and every ingredient. However, this book is geared more towards vegan newbies than an ol' pro like myself. The soups in the book seem to offer the best bet when it comes to the book (I am generally a good judge of whether a recipe will be good). I bookmarked some of the soups but largely it is beginners information and recipes that I already have favorite methods for (like guacamole, hummus, simple soups, salads, breads, peppermint patties etc.). The authors also use tofu a lot, even in their salad dressings. I enjoy tofu, but I feature it differently in my kitchen--the authors and I simply have conflicting styles of sorts!
P.S. The title also bothers me since they're trying to rhyme vegan with began I suppose and those two words do not rhyme. Too many people already pronounce vegan wrong!
October 28, 2007
This was my second vegan cookbook and I have to say it took me ages to try any of the recipes.
The recipes call a lot for special vegan foods which are neither healthy nor available everywhere and rely heavily on tofu.
Most of the recipes I tried turned out pretty bland for my tastbuds, others I don't bother to make because they are not even real "recipes", but things everybody knows to do unless you're a complete beginner in the kitchen (eg how many recipes for vegetable soup does one cookbook need?).
It's a very American book, as well...
However, there still are some recipes that have grown on me... the tortilla chip soup, artichoke pasta and creamy curried veggies for example.
All the recipes were really popular among kids so far, too.
The recipes call a lot for special vegan foods which are neither healthy nor available everywhere and rely heavily on tofu.
Most of the recipes I tried turned out pretty bland for my tastbuds, others I don't bother to make because they are not even real "recipes", but things everybody knows to do unless you're a complete beginner in the kitchen (eg how many recipes for vegetable soup does one cookbook need?).
It's a very American book, as well...
However, there still are some recipes that have grown on me... the tortilla chip soup, artichoke pasta and creamy curried veggies for example.
All the recipes were really popular among kids so far, too.
December 1, 2012
Not my favorite cookbook. I think it just comes down to the fact I don't share the same taste preferences as the authors. I find some of these recipes to be oddly spiced. And some are just a bit too extreme for my taste. But to each his own, as another friend of mine loves the cookbook. He has made nearly everything in it. The cookbook is well laid out and the illustrations are great, as are the instructions. I prefer food that tastes as close to mainstream cuisine but just happens to be vegetarian. Vegan with a Vengeance is more my speed. I am also a vegetarian and not a vegan, but I do like to experiment with vegan cooking. If your palette leans towards a heavily spiced super hardcore vegan direction, this cookbook might be perfect for you.
September 19, 2010
Disappointing, although I should have been able to tell from the title (and other reviews) that this is a book aimed at beginning vegans and is full of why/how I became a vegan as well as sections on vegan lifestyle. I had hoped to find at least three new recipes that would tempt me to cook but found zero. Biggest problems for me was the apparent need for a blender and many of the entrees contained what I would consider large amounts of vegan cheese. Not that I don't eat vegan cheese, but 1-2 cups of cheese for four servings? Way more than a person who has weaned themselves from dairy products needs.
November 19, 2013
When I was in college (1999-2003, to get you in the mood of the era) and living in a vegan/veggie/macro (depended on the month) co-op, this book was a LIFELINE. Perfect basic recipes for making lots of food for a group of people with varied nutritional needs/demands, and a good intro to substitutions (for eggs, etc). However, I can't say it has aged well. When I looked back at HIAV (and the sequels) now, they seem so carb heavy, and somehow nostalgic of an earlier day of vegan living. Still some good basics, and a must have for the co-op/large scale cooking life, but not a book I would turn to much these days.
March 4, 2012
The only issue with this book, is that the author/editor/publishing company decided/forgot/did not bother to include an index! It is intensely annoying to have to flip and read through every page looking for something. I often choose other cookbooks for the simple reason that this one does not have an index.
Of the recipes I have tried, they are good.
The reason I bought the book is that, while my family and I consume meat/animal products, we never seem to have anything available for cooking or baking with. The recipes are perfect for people whose pantry is as bare as mine half the time.
Of the recipes I have tried, they are good.
The reason I bought the book is that, while my family and I consume meat/animal products, we never seem to have anything available for cooking or baking with. The recipes are perfect for people whose pantry is as bare as mine half the time.
January 24, 2008
The later books are better (there are a few dud recipes in this one) but this is a good place to start. The Asian Creation and the Shepherd's Pie are definitely always on my standby list. Most of the recipes are easy, fast, and don't call for extravagant ingredients. The only consistent problem I had is that without halving the ingredients for any of the pie recipes, I ended up with tons of extra pie filling, perhaps enough to make a second pie. At any rate, this was the first vegan cookbook I got that actually helped me become a good vegan cook so I highly recommend it.
June 2, 2012
I thought this cookbook had some interesting recipes. The information is very helpful to new vegans. However, it is not what I would call healthy eating. There's better books for that. The photos of the retro 1950's people are really cute, and the writing style makes the book easily accessible. I adapted a few of the recipes when I made them for my husband, making them oil-free. I can't make much of the stuff in here as is for myself since I have trouble with gluten and soy. The authors don't really explain much about gluten free baking, unfortunately.
February 1, 2007
I'm not vegan, I just wanted to find good recipes that would help me incorporate more veggies into my diet. This was the first cookbook I found that had lots of good recipes that were easy to follow. I used to get discouraged by cookbooks that would call for ingredients that I didn't recognize or cooking techniques that I didn't know. This book is really simple. It has an awesome recipe for a mean black bean burger!
November 14, 2008
FABULOUS!!!! This is the quirkiest cookbook I've ever held. It is so fun to read and the recepeis (crud I can't spell, my brain is too full, and there is an added bonus section about simple cleaners for your house. Since most of them use vinegar I added some lavender or lemon essential oil to the bottle to get rid of that smell. All and all, it is sure not to dissipoint (dang what's wrong with me?)
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