“So, if I’m cooking, I’ll be steaming vegetables, making some nice salad, that kind of stuff.”
– Paul McCartney
Open-Faced Pesto Melts, Easy Cheesy Lasagna, Pinto Bean Tostadas, Rice and Lentil Burgers, Fruit Juice Gummies and No-Bake Brownie Bites await you in “Vegetarian Family Cookbook” by Kristen Wood. You can sneak more fruits and veggies in while serving flavorful snacks like Creamy Coconut Fruit Dip with apple slices, Banana Oatmeal Bars, Baked Broccoli Tots plus Chickpea and Zucchini Nuggets dipped in Rosemary Honey Mustard Sauce. Picky eaters of all ages will find much to like among these 100 meat-free dishes.
Saving time while creating delicious food is the theme of these next two cookbooks. First up is “Speedy Bosh!” by Henry Firth and Ian Theasby. In it, they will show you how to take advantage of common kitchen appliances, ready-made ingredients and their wealth of kitchen hacks to quickly and efficiently get yummy dishes on the table in 30 minutes or less. Now, it’s possible to make Teriyaki Tempeh, Deep, Dark Smoky Chili, and Happy Chick’n Parmo without spending hours in the kitchen. For dessert, there’s Red Velvet Sorbet, Blueberry Cheesecake Shake and Creamy Lime Pie.
Secondly, is Ally Lazare’s “Plant-Based Diet in 30 Minutes.” Her focus is on creating quick and tasty vegan food that is low in salt, sugar and saturated fat. Ally gives us a dozen breakfast ideas to fuel our mornings like Zucchini-Carrot Oatmeal Muffins, Pumpkin Spice Scones, Pancake Tray, Two Ways plus Very Berry Smoothie and Go Green Smoothie. For lunch and dinner there’s Buffalo Ranch Pasta Salad, Egg-Roll-in-a-Bowl Stir Fry, Seven-Layer Burritos, Greek Veggie Bowls with Hummus and Crab Cake Burgers using chickpeas and hearts of palm.
Cafe Gratitude is a popular plant-based restaurant with six locations serving Southern California. Since 2008, the executive chef, Seizan Dreux Ellis has been creating fresh, whole-food-inspired vegan fare to enthusiastic diners. Now, home chefs can replicate their favorite restaurant dishes from his new cookbook, “Love is Served.” Here is a sampling of what’s inside: Honeydew Melon and Cucumber Gazpacho with Spicy Pepitas, Indian Curry Bowl, Tempeh Caesar Wrap, Pad Thai Kelp Noodles and Hawaiian Pizza with an Ancient Grain Crust. To satisfy that sweet tooth, indulge in some Strawberry Shortcake in a Jar, decadent Black Lava Cake with Caramel Sauce, Key Lime Pie and chewy Chocolate Chip Walnut Cookies.