Thursday, August 11, 2011

Part-Time Vegan | Review & Giveaway

There's no denying I'm a meat eater.  I sometimes joke I must have been a gun-toting, hunting, burly man in a past life because I LOVE Beef, seriously, love it.  I would give up chicken and fish long before I would give up beef; case and point, my ultimate food bribe is prime rib.

That being said, I love good vegetarian foods, bursting with flavours and textures.  When I was a university student I ate vegetarian at least twice a week, often more and despite the fact that I have a cupboard oozing with cookbooks, I've often struggled with vegetarian cookbooks.  The recipes often seem either too complicated, or not complicated enough and perhaps a little boring.

When presented with the opportunity to review the 'Part-Time Vegan' I immediately loved that was that it was anything but ordinary; this book accepts me as the meat eating, tofu loving girl that I am.  I love that I don't have to feel guilty that I imagine adding chicken to 'curried rice and lentils' or picture a side of roast pork next to 'gingered and pralined sweet potatoes' or for knowing that I will substituting real mayo for vegan in the 'dairy-free ranch dressing'.

Reading the Part-Time Vegan it was obvious to me that author Cherise Grifoni is a blogger; her style is laid back and comfortable and recipe instructions include personal sentiments such as: 
" You know this part by now.  In a large pot set on medium-high, saute the garlic and onion in the olive oil for about 3 minutes.  You're like a new puppy, learning so fast.  I tend to do the same...when it involves eating."

All in all I have enjoyed this cookbook, it offers flexible, realistic vegan food options, sans meat-eating-guilt.  The book is separated into 14 chapters, including an entire chapter dedicated to delicious sounding meal plans such as 'The Ay Caramba' which includes Nacho 'cheese' dip, tofu and portobello 'enchiladas' and coconut rice pudding.   Sounds yummy doesn't it?!

Personally I would have liked a few pictures of the dishes throughout the book, but that's certainly not a deal breaker, this is a great vegan cookbook that anyone could easily incorporate into their weekly menu planning.

I'm excited to announce that one lucky Momma Stuff Blog reader will receive a copy of The Part-Time Vegan by Cherise Grifoni, please see the Rafflecopter below for entry details.