Cookbooks!

One of my thousands of readers left me a message the other day asking about vegan cookbook suggestions and I thought it'd make a delightful blog topic. I can't claim to be an expert but do think I've used enough vegan cookbooks to tell about ones that really shine. (While most if not all these cookbooks could be found on amazon or borders, I'm going to try and include an independent resource for each book, should your local bookstore be out and you need to get your drooling hands on it asap)

One of my first vegan cookbooks, which has since come out with a few more in it's series, and become extremely popular is How it All Vegan. It was a great introduction to common substitutions and how to use them properly and when. It has a lot of veganized basics for those recently turned vegans who miss things like pancakes and chocolate chip cookies, as well as some simple yet tasty dinner ideas for those used to eating veggie burgers and smac and cheese.


I then progressed to a marvelously cool cookbook called Vegan with a Vengeance! Not only does it have super helpful tips (like how to cut up a butternut squash) and sexy recipes, it also has some great links and thoughts behind veganism and more importantly activism. Which is another awesome thing about ALL vegan cookbooks I've ever seen, which are the stories, explanations and fight behind being vegan and why you can feel morally and healthfully good about not consuming animal products. (cue song:) Isa also came out with two other amazingly reviewed books, Vegan Cupcakes Take Over the World and Veganomicon. I haven't had the chance to peek into the latter, but you can check out all these books along with awesome recipes from her kickass website. Her cooking shows should also not be missed.

If you want the best book just for baking, you have to try out The Joy of Vegan Baking. I was a little boredified when I first saw it, but after trying the chocolate chip scones, apple pecan muffins, chocolate cake, strudels, oatmeal bars and pies, and I can whole-heartily say that Colleen is right on the money. While a few recipes call for going the extra mile it has always been more than worth it to make these extremely well-developed delectables.

Of course there's also the amazing Lickin' the Beaters I recently got that I've posted two recipes from -- you can find out more about that here. Another book that I was lucky enough to get my hands on for a little while, full of tasty tasty recipes is The Savory Way. I think it's vegetarian but has a lot of vegan or easily transferable recipes.

And then there's also the internet. Two websites I really like are VeganYumYum and a blog all about vegan ice cream recipes. Another trick I like to do when I know a recipe from a book that I can't get a hold of right away is to look up the book on amazon and if it should be so lucky to have the "Look Inside" feature, do a search for the name or page number. It's also a good way to share recipes when you're too lazy to type it all up yourself.

I hope this was at least a teensy step in the right direction on your vegan cookbook hunt (should you be on one). Please share any other suggestions/recommendations you may have, and if you hear/see/smell a recipe you're curious about but are too lazy, scared or carnivorous to try it, let me know and I'd be happy to try and blog about it! <3