Mastering the Art of Vegan Cooking

August 1, 2015

Starting over after tragedy touched their lives, the Shannons (Betty Goes Vegan) decided that they needed to economize, even in the kitchen. Research into the history of kitchen thrift and their rediscovery of Julia Child's Julia's Kitchen Wisdom inspired this collection of inexpensive vegan meals that avoid food waste and don't sacrifice flavor. Each recipe includes cost per serving (based on Brooklyn prices) and cross-references to other recipes that provide an opportunity to use leftover ingredients. Reinforcing that theme is an entire chapter devoted to a handful of base recipes, each of which is followed by several others that repurpose leftovers from the base. The Shannons' usually liberal use of mock meats and vegan dairy substitutes has been dialed back for economy's sake, but their enthusiasm for simple, tasty food remains. VERDICT With such recipes as baked Creole carrot chips, slow-cooker tempeh jambalaya, and salted caramel skillet cake, cooks can enjoy saving money without feeling deprived. Vegans interested in cooking on a budget may also like Robin Robertson's Vegan on the Cheap.--Jude Baldwin, Coll. of the Siskiyous, Weed, CA

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