Book Review: VEGAN PLANET

Robin Robertson’s Vegan Planet has long been a staple in our house. No matter what kind of food we feel like, I am sure to find a recipe in that colossal, comprehensive cookbook. In the mood for Chinese? Try the To-Fu Yung. Indian? Make Robin's Checkpeas Vindaloo. There are vegan versions of food from just about everywhere, such as Italy, France, Greece, Thailand, and Africa--and plenty of U.S. favorites like California Chili made with olives and avocados. And how about Tempeh and Red Bean Jambalaya with Chipotle Chiles? Robin also offers a section of Vegan Basics with recipes for meat substitutes like Seitan, Marinated Tofu, and Tempeh Bacon Bits. One of my favorite features is the amazing variety of delicious dressings and sauces sure to add zest to any meal. She includes everything from an Easy Vegan Hollandaise and Bechamel to Bourbon-Spiked Barbecue Sause and Ginger Lime-Dipping Sauce. 

So, when I received a copy of the new revised Vegan Planet, I immediately checked to make sure my favorite recipes from the first edition were included . . . and yep, they were--including the Tomato-Basil Lasagna Spirals that have gotten me through many a potluck (and believe me no one misses the meat or dairy). And phew, there were the Barley-Stuffed Cabbage Rolls that I make whenever I’m missing my mom’s German cooking. But the good news is that Robin has added 50 NEW recipes to the book, with dishes like Picatta-Style Cauliflower Steak, Paella-Stuffed Peppers, Pulled Portobello Barbecue, and Tiramisu Cheesecake. Robin has also updated the information and recipes from the original book to make them even healthier and more environmentally-friendly. Whether you are a long-time vegan needing fresh ideas or a new vegan wondering where to start, this cookbook is sure to satisfy. Check out some sample recipes here.

Vermont passes GMO labeling law . . . but will it stick?

I was so encouraged to hear that Vermont passed the GMO labelling bill which will requrie labelling of generically engineered products. But it is being attacked from all sides so who knows if it will stick?

I think this quote really puts things in perspective.


" . . . there are also existing labeling requirements that don't just involve health, safety and nutrition, Mr. Faber maintained. "Listing whether orange juice is made from concentrate is not a health question," he said. "It is to protect consumers from deception."

Labeling foods that contain GMOs is not about whether you are in favor of them or against them. It's not even about whether GMOs are safe or dangerous for consumption and the environment. It's about consumers having the right to know what is in the products they consume and what they feed to their families. IT'S OUR RIGHT TO KNOW! Here is more info on the issue.

BOOK REVIEW: PARENTING M.D.

You might have time to wade through a 500-page book on child-rearing before your first child is born, but once the baby arrives, you’ll be lucky if you find time to eat and sleep, never mind read. So where can an overwhelmed new parent go for advice? Natasha Raja’s Parenting M.D! No searching through page after page trying to find the information you need. Raja combines well-researched childcare advice with the latest technology to give parents a reliable and convenient way to get answers about what to expect during their baby’s first year. One just needs to click on the desired topic and go straight to the information. Raja’s sensible advice soothes new parents’ anxieties and gives up-to-date, practical answers to things like feeding, sleeping positions, tooth care, immunizations, and much more. This is the perfect guide for today’s parents and would be a welcome gift at any baby shower.

Raja has a great blog as well, with many more tips for keeping your kids healthy and safe.

Vanilla Spice Granola

Here's an idea for a holiday gift from your kitchen: granola! It's a nice change from cookies and fudge -- not that there's anything wrong with those, of course but I like to mix it up. 

Granola is easy to make and you can make a lot at a time so there's plenty to share with all of your friends. Here's the version I came up with this year.

Vanilla Spice Granola

8 cups regular rolled oats (not quick cooking)

1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1/2 teaspoon ground cardamon

1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg

2 teaspoons sea salt

1 cup flavorless oil (safflower, canola, etc.)

1 cup maple syrup

2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract

1 1/2 cups chopped raw walnuts

1 1/2 cups sliced raw almonds

1 1/2 cups unsweetened coconut flakes

Preheat oven to 325 degrees F. Spray or lightly oil two large baking sheets with oil.

In a large mixing bowl, stir oats, cinnamon, cardamom, nutmeg, and salt together. In a small bowl, whisk oil, maple syrup, and vanilla together. Pour the oil mixture over the oats but leave a couple of tablespoons of the liquid in the small bowl. Stir the liquid into the oats until they are coated. Divide the oats between the two baking sheets and spread to an even layer in each pan. Bake 20 minutes, rotating the baking sheets about halfway through so it bakes evenly.

Mix the nuts and coconut with the remaining maple syrup mixture until coated. Add to the baked oats. Stir them in and move the browned oats around the edges into the center. Spread the mixture again in an even layer and bake another 10 to 15 minutes, or until the granola is a light golden brown. Cool completely. If you like add a couple of cups of raisins or dried cranberries or cherries.

For gifting--make sure the granola is completely cool. Transfer into plastic bags that you can tie with festive ribbon--or place into pretty jars or tins.

This makes about 11 cups of granola (or more if you add fruit)

BONUS RECIPE: Chickpea Noodle Soup

Robin Robertson was kind enough to share a recipe from her new book One-Dish Vegan. 

Chickpea Noodle Soup

Recipe © 2013 by Robin Robertson and used by permission of The Harvard Common Press

 Gluten-free option | Soy-free| Serves 4

This comforting, versatile soup can be altered easily to suit your taste. For example, vary the vegetables according to personal preference, or substitute seitan, tempeh, or different beans for the chickpeas. As the noodles cook in the soup, they will absorb some of the broth, so you may want to add a little more broth before serving. Alternatively, if you have leftover cooked pasta from another meal, you can just add it when ready to serve instead of cooking the noodles right in the soup. To make this soup gluten-free, use gluten-free pasta and, of course, make sure that your vegetable broth is gluten-free.

Ingredients:

·          2 teaspoons olive oil or 1/4 cup water

·          1 medium-size yellow onion, chopped

·          2 carrots, peeled and thinly sliced

·          1 celery rib, thinly sliced

·          3 garlic cloves, minced

·          1 teaspoon dried basil

·          1 teaspoon dried thyme

·          7 cups vegetable broth, or more if needed

·          4 ounces green beans, trimmed and cut into 1-inch pieces

·          4 cups coarsely chopped stemmed kale or cabbage

·      3 cups cooked chickpeas or 2 (15.5-ounce) cans chickpeas, rinsed and drained

·          1 (14.5-ounce) can diced tomatoes, undrained

·          Salt and freshly ground black pepper

·          6 ounces uncooked linguine, broken into thirds

·          1/2 cup fresh or frozen peas

·          2 tablespoons minced fresh Italian parsley

 Directions:

 1. Heat the oil or water in a large pot over medium heat. Add the onion, carrots, and celery, and cook for 5 minutes to soften. Stir in the garlic and cook for 1 minute longer, then add the basil, thyme, and broth and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat to a simmer and cook for 10 minutes.

 2. Add the green beans, kale, chickpeas, and tomatoes with their juices. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Simmer until the vegetables are tender, about 20 minutes.

 3. Stir in the pasta, peas, and parsley. Simmer until the pasta is tender, about 15 minutes longer. Taste and adjust the seasonings if needed. Serve hot.

BOOK REVIEW: One-Dish Vegan

I absolutely love meals that can be served out of one bowl and have all of the important nutrients right in that dish, so Robin Robertson’s new cookbook, One-Dish Vegan was right up my alley. The book contains over 150 hearty soups, salads, and entrees that really are complete meals. As is usual with Roberson’s recipes, they are drawn from cultures all over the world. You’ll find everything from Senegalese-Inspired Red Lentil Soup to Louisiana Red Beans and Rice to Turkish-Style Stuffed Eggplant with Walnut Sauce. And for chili lovers, she has a whole chapter devoted just to chili with selections like Tequila Sundown Chili, Devil’s Food Chili and Orange-Scented Chipotle Chili.

We tried the Cauliflower Comfort Casserole made with layers of butternut squash, potatoes, cauliflower,  greens, and walnuts covered in a white bean sauce and it was absolutely delicious (though you might want to allow extra time because I needed to bake this quite a bit longer than the recipe indicated). We also loved the Lentil and Butternut Soup as well with its complex array of spicy, sweet, and savory flavors. My daughters have asked for the Fettuccini with Creamy Cannellini Tomato Sauce next and it is simple enough that I think they will be able to prepare it themselves.

All of the recipes in the book have clear, easy-to-follow instructions. Although many of the recipes are fast and easy to make, there are more complex dishes too that will take more than one bowl or pot to prepare them—but I think you’ll find those worth the effort. I just love that these recipes are so healthy and made with whole food ingredients and there is enough variety to suit pretty much any taste. This is a great book to use during the busy holiday season ahead, and would make a wonderful gift as well.  

Preview from Robin Robertson's newest cookbook

Just made the Cauliflower Comfort Bake from Robin Robertson's new cookbook, One-Dish Vegan. Layers of butternut squash, russet potato, cauliflower and greens covered in a garlicky white bean sauce and sprinkled with walnuts. Yum!

Full review of the book coming soon!