Book Review: The Vegan Family Cookbook at Her Active Life

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Book Review: The Vegan Family Cookbook

Posted May 30, 2007 at 08:00 AM by Katie Drummond

Section: Her Motivation, Books, Her Nutrition, Product Reviews, Vegetarianism, Special Features, Announcements, HAL Reviews

If you’ve ever tried converting a favorite recipe to suit a particular dietary need – from gluten-free to diabetic– you know the challenge of modifying ingredients to make it taste like the “real thing” you and your family have come to know and love.

For longtime chef Brian McCarthy, the transition to a vegan diet 10 years ago meant taking on the task of transforming the mac and cheese, birthday cakes, and turkey dinners he and his family were accustomed to enjoying. McCarthy brings his experience and know how to The Vegan Family Cookbook, a collection of over 400 recipes that offer vegan options for every event, from a speedy dinner to a traditional holiday meal.

The book is divided into 10 sections, each featuring an impressive variety of dishes. The recipes themselves are easy to follow, and McCarthy offers helpful tips on combining different recipes (like homemade breadsticks with marinara sauce) or adding variety by mixing up the ingredients (four different adaptations for his hummus recipe will add flair to this traditional dip). Readers will likely recognize standard fare, like vegan versions of chili, banana bread, and coleslaw, but McCarthy adds more exotic items as well – mushroom and wild rice crepes are far from a “traditional” family dinner, but may soon join pizza and burgers on your family’s list of favorite meals.

A quick flip through the book makes it obvious that McCarthy aims to please busy families on a budget – without sacrificing taste or nutrition. The ingredient lists are simple, featuring easy-to-find and inexpensive items like canned beans, nuts, and fresh vegetables. As a father of two, McCarthy obviously knows that cutting down on cooking time is crucial for busy parents, so recipes often call for canned or ready-to-eat items, rather than expecting readers to roll out their own flour tortillas for a quesadilla dinner. But McCarthy doesn’t let convenience outweigh the importance of good nutrition – the recipes are hearty, with staples like soymilk, nutritional yeast, tofu, and olive oil taking the place of artery-clogging animal products like eggs and butter. Health-conscious dessert lovers will appreciate muffin, pie, and pudding recipes with “reduced sugar” alternatives.

New vegans or inexperienced cooks will not only benefit from the simple recipes, but a glossary of terms that clarifies any unusual ingredients (like liquid aminos) or preparation methods. Take a quick glance through the lengthy list of vegan pantry staples and protein sources McCarthy provides, and you’ve got all the basics to get going in the kitchen.

It may not be a book for the longtime vegan or experienced chef looking to challenge themselves behind the stove, but with its simplistic, versatile approach, The Vegan Family Cookbook is the perfect resource for busy, health-conscious diners who want to enjoy traditional favorites as part of a vegan lifestyle.