The Accidental Vegan: [A Cookbook]

by Devra Gartenstein

Book Overview

Eating vegan doesn't have to be hard. These days, home cooks are seeking out simple recipes that unite hearty, satisfying taste with the perks of vegan food--it's healthy, fresh, economical, lactose-free, ethical, and environmentally sustainable. Omnivorous chef Devra Gartenstein accidentally fell into the vegan world more than ten years ago, and she stuck around for the benefits to her body, her tastebuds, and the world around her. Never one to fuss...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1587613387
• ISBN13: 9781587613388
• Release Date: January 2009
• Publisher: Clarkson Potter/Ten Speed
• Length: 240 Pages
• Weight: 0.74 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.6" x 6.2" x 8.0"

Customer Reviews

One of the easiest

I found this book and at once decided to buy. It is the easiest vegan cookbook I've run across. The recipes are tasty, and most require 12 or less ingredients, which is a big difference from most veggie and vegan cookbooks. I have made many of the dishes (love the curry and dahl recipes) and continue to pull this book off the shelf instead of all the others I have to choose from. I strongly recommend this great book.

Wonderful!

This has become my faorite cook book. All the reciepts are easy, fast and very tasty. I love the different tamale fillings and the enchilada pie is to die for. The separate section on sauses is great as they really perk up my pasta dishes. This is a small compact book that really packs in the different quisines: Greek, Asian, Hispanic, Indian, Italian Japanse, and American, etc. All I can add is yummmm!

A vivid sampling of fresh vegan cuisine for vegetarians.

The Accidental Vegan contains a vivid sampling of fresh vegan cuisine that will knock your palate into a new dimension. You will be tempted to become an accidental vegan just for the pleasure of it. Recipes are divided into Appetizers, Soups, Main Dishes, Seitan, Side Dishes, Sauces and Dressings and Desserts. Holiday-adaptable entrees abound and accents of international cuisine add verve and flair. Recipes are simply presented with ingredients highlighted in light green blocks against white text pages. Some exciting examples include Pasta with Olives, Artichokes and Dried Tomatoes, Yakisoba (Japanese noodles and veggies), and Devi's Basic Curry - a wonderful concoction with potatoes, cauliflowers, carrots, broccoli, garbanzo beans, and of course, spices. Recipes are simple and short, generally complete on two pages; sometimes on one. The Sauces section includes basic recipes for Plum sauce, black bean sauce, pesto, mole sauce, and faux cheese. Hummus Roasted Red Pepper Roll-Ups are a tasty appetizer. Who doesn't love Lo Mein for main dishes with Chinese influence? And of course for Italian cuisine, there is a scrumptious recipe for Pasta Primavera. Many side dishes are vegan classics, such as Corn and Bean Salad and Couscous. Even desserts shine - Hazelnut Chocolate Chip Shortbread, for example.All in all, The Accidental Vegan fills a tasty bill that helps the planet too.Nancy Lorraine, Reviewer

Fantastic dishes, easy to use

This cookbook is one of the best vegan cookbooks I have had the pleasure to use. I have been using it consistently for a couple of weeks now. It's not the hugest volume but it's substantial and there is plenty of variety. The author owns her own vegan catering business in Seattle. The recipes span across ethnic cuisines, with plenty of Indian, Afghani, Asian, Italian, and Mexican style dishes. There are appetizers, sides, main dishes, salads, soups, sauces, an entire chapter on seitan, and a very short dessert section. The dessert section is the only section that is pretty sparse. There is a recipe for Baklava and for some rice puddings (which were VERY delicious!). The author does use honey in some of her recipes, which I found surprising. However, if it is a concern for you (as it is for me), I think it easily substituted.The recipes are usually quite simple. The directions are simple (in one or two cases, a step was left out). Most recipes don't use huge long lists of ingredients, but many recipes do incorporate plenty of vegetables, which I think is a plus. It is obvious the author wants you, the reader, to incorporate your own style into these dishes. Most of the ingredients are readily available, although some recipes require more exotic or ethnic ingredients, but nothing you can't find at an Asian or Indian market or at your local health food store or co-op. Ms. Gartenstein lets you know, within the recipe, where to find ingredients that may be unfamiliar.There are some very outstanding dishes in this cookbook. My favorites are the Hot and Sour Soup (the stuff in the restaurant can't compare!!), Pasta with Olives and Artichokes (I could eat this every day!), and Stuffed Shells. The Date and Almond Rice Pudding was heavenly (one of the ingredients is Rose Water). I think The Accidental Vegan will remain one of my all time favorites in a collection of over 60 vegan cookbooks. I highly recommend it!

Wonderful Introduction to Vegan Cooking!

The easy, delicious collection of recipies in this small volume leaves me wanting more. I particularly like the book because as a customer of Lucky Palate I receive many of these menu items in the delivery service and occasionally want to try to cook them myself.The instructions are easy to follow and the illustrations are beautiful.