Chloe's Vegan Italian Kitchen

Starred review from July 21, 2014
Cheese and creamy sauces are a staple in classical Italian cooking, making it a huge challenge for vegans. Coscarelli (Chloe’s Kitchen and Chloe’s Vegan Desserts) does the near impossible by offering delicious vegan versions of Italian classics with inventive twists that will please and satisfy. She also provides menu ideas and suggestions for gluten-free, soy-free, and nut-free substitutions. Many recipes include notes or make-ahead tips that will help busy or new cooks. Butternut bruschetta with caramelized onions, and herbed risotto cakes with arrabbiata dipping sauce are simply scrumptious. Artichoke hash browns, braised kale with pine nuts and cranberries, and pomegranate roasted brussels sprouts offer smart and appealing variations of everyday veggies. Pasta, always a main Italian staple, is equally appetizing in Coscarelli’s hands including artichoke pesto pasta salad and white lasagna with butternut squash and spinach. She also includes appetizing soups and salads. Heirloom tomato toast, simple yet so appealing, and meatball sliders made with brown rice and mushrooms will appeal to any palate, while Chloe’s Rawsagna, a raw lasagna with pine nut ricotta and sun-dried tomato sauce is just stunning. Desserts such as Florentine bar cookies, Nutella cinnamon rolls, and banana coffee cupcakes are also sure to gratify. Filled with old favorites and new dishes sure to become mealtime staples, this collection will delight vegans, vegetarians, and all those looking to eat healthier meals.

Starred review from August 1, 2014

Coscarelli taps into her Italian roots for her third cookbook (after Chloe's Vegan Desserts). It can be hard to imagine Italian food without dairy, and the author tackles the issue head-on: simple nut- and soy-based substitutes stand in for mozzarella, parmesan, ricotta, and creamy sauces while canola oil, vegetable shortenings, and coconut oil make decadent desserts such as raspberry tiramisu cupcakes and Nutella cinnamon rolls possible. These are joined by many dishes that are naturally vegan such as butternut bruschetta with caramelized onions and fusilli with minted eggplant sauce. In general, recipes are basic but can involve multiple steps; Coscarelli's overall friendly and approachable style makes even the more difficult among them seem within reach. Adaptations for those with gluten, soy, and nut allergies, while not always very inventive, are a helpful addition. Index not seen. VERDICT Mainstream vegan cookbooks devoted solely to Italian food are few and far between and may not offer any dairy alternatives other than store-bought products. Patrons looking for easy, unprocessed vegan versions of their creamy Italian favorites finally have the book they've been waiting for.--Jude Baldwin, Coll. of the Siskiyous, Weed, CA

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