Subscribe to this blog's feed« Video Clip: Stephen Colbert Interviews President of the American Meat Institute |Main| Update: "Milk in 2009 Contained Less Pus Than 2008 Milk" »2010.09.07Book Review & Recipe: "Vegan on the Cheap"The "octomom" of vegan cookbook writing has totally demolished the myth of vegan food being more expensive than conventional alternatives with an amazing new cookbook, "Vegan on the Cheap," that really is, as claimed on the back cover, "The ultimate vegan budget cookbook --- easy recipes for delicious food that costs no more than $2 per serving [note a considerable number of them are are around 50 cents per serving]!" 150 recipes...wow. Take that morning news and cable cooking shows, who beam with pride of four servings of really lousy food for a total of $10 to $30.
In this latest masterpiece of creativity (she just keeps getting better and better), Robin Robertson isn't resting on her laurels just putting out recipes. Nope, she provides a wealth of ideas and suggestions, on everything from saving money and time, stocking your kitchen, shopping and preparation tips, making your own convenience foods (plus meat analogs), and even breaks down many store-bought products in a cost comparison chart.
This isn't to minimize the high value of her recipes. Even the seasoned vegan cook will learn some new strategies from this book. Envision a rich "Great Northern Apple Cake" using Northern Beans (< $.50 per serving), put your money down on a "Pepperoni-Mushroom Pizza" (< $1.00 per serving, AND with a "Great Stick Pepperoni" recipe), then invest in the "Tropic of Tempeh" (< $2.00 per serving), and finally, check out the CASHew flow of "Blushing Alfredo Fettuccine" (<$1.50 per serving).
One can't add it up any other way, and there's no accounting for missing this great addition to vegan cuisine. With "Vegan on the Cheap," Robin has provided a one-stop shopping experience of resources (offline and online), methods, basics, the stats, and the recipes for anyone wishing to maximize the use of their time and money. However, she isn't a miser (!) and occasionally offers ideas for "splurging" once in awhile, eating at restaurants, and comprehensively noting what you shouldn't "skimp on."
Too often the phrase "on the cheap" is misinterpreted with negative connotations, when in fact, the actual definition is "at minimum expense." Given the current state of our economy, this book's solid approach to inexpensive vegan food is not only a blessing to those who are on hard times, but also for the animals, your health, and our environment. A truly innovative guide that desires a place in your cookbook portfolio.
CHEAPAMOLE(makes about 3 cups, < 50 cents per serving)
"...As a bonus to being cheaper than regular guacamole, this version also contains less fat and more protein. ."
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 1/2 cups frozen peas, thawed
1 cup cooked or canned white beans, drained and rinsed
1 (4-ounce) can diced green chiles, drained
2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
1 teaspoon olive oil
1 teaspoon ground cumin
2 tablespoons minced red onion
2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro
Salt and black pepper
1. In a food processor or blender, combine the garlic, peas, beans, and chilesand blend until smooth.
2. Add the lime juice, oil, and cumin and blend until well combined. Use a rubber spatula to scrape the mixture into a medium bowl. Stir in the onion and cilantro. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
3. Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to allow flavors to blend.
This tastes best if used on the same day that it is made. Use it as a dip for chips or cut vegetables or any way you would use regular guacamole.
[Note: this recipe is © 2010, by Robin Robertson.
[Visit Robin's blog & website for more recipes, info, and purchasing her books (disclaimer: I designed Robin's global vegan kitchen website):
http://veganplanet.blogspot.com/
http://www.globalvegankitchen.com/
TrackBack URL for this entry:
http://www.typepad.com/services/trackback/6a00d83452b83e69e20133f3f24576970b
Listed below are links to weblogs that reference Book Review & Recipe: "Vegan on the Cheap":
Comments Verify your Comment Previewing your CommentPosted by: |This is only a preview. Your comment has not yet been posted.
Your comment could not be posted. Error type: Your comment has been saved. Comments are moderated and will not appear until approved by the author. Post another comment The letters and numbers you entered did not match the image. Please try again. As a final step before posting your comment, enter the letters and numbers you see in the image below. This prevents automated programs from posting comments.
Having trouble reading this image? View an alternate.
Your Information
(Name and email address are required. Email address will not be displayed with the comment.)
Name is required to post a comment
Please enter a valid email address
Invalid URL
Recent PostsNew Mad Cowboy Newsletter Out - Msg. from Howard, & Mr. CluckyXtreme Eating 2010 Awards: Cheezilla, Sneaky Pizza, Pestocide, +Vegan Thanksgiving Recipes (PDF) Available from Nava Atlas"Faith-based" Nutritional Advice or "WTF?"Iron Chef America or "Barbarians at the Plate"Merging Q's: On Fat Pride & Life Quantity vs. QualityOT: Good Causes, the Battle, & Loving the ImperfectReview/Recipe: "Vegan Unplugged: A Pantry Cuisine Cookbook and Survival Guide"Article/Research: "Food Addictions to Fat, Sugar, and Salt" VIDEO: "PCRM'S New Anti-McDonald's Commercial - "Consequences""Favorite Posts from Soulveggie"Healthy Vegan" By The Numbers15 Reasons to Avoid Vegetable Oils15 Reasons to Eat MeatDairy = Liquid MeatDiet of Fruit & Veggies May Prevent 20% of All CancersEat More RainbowsEven One Fatty Meal Affects ArteriesHoward & Mark PhotosIdentify this Vegetable and Win Something!!!Mad Cowboy: The Trailer!Making Vegan Pizza VideoMy Vegan Tipping PointSilly Vegan MythsSimpsons Excerpt: "Meat & You" DocumentarySojourn to Burger KingCategoriesActivismAgricultureAnimal IssuesArthritisBooksCancerCartooncholesterolConservationCookingCurrent AffairsDairydiabetesDietEnvironmentEssayFactory FarmingFilmFood and DrinkGamesGardeningGlobal Climate ChangeGovernmentHealthHeart DiseaseHumorMusicNewsletter/GroupNutritionobesityOrganicPoliticsRecipe(s)RecommendedReviewsSatireScienceSportsStatisticsSustainabilityTelevisionTravelVeg'nismVeg-DCVeganismVegetarianVideoWeblogsWhat's Going On??Archives NoteSelect a "category" above for posts with that key word, select "Archives" below for complete monthly archives list links.ArchivesNovember 2010October 2010September 2010August 2010July 2010June 2010May 2010April 2010March 2010February 2010 document.write(unescape("%3Cscript src='" + (document.location.protocol == "https:" ? "https://sb" : "http://b") + ".scorecardresearch.com/beacon.js'%3E%3C/script%3E"));COMSCORE.beacon({ c1: 2, c2: "6035669", c3: "", c4: "http://soulveggie.blogs.com/my_weblog/2010/09/book-review-recipe-vegan-on-the-cheap.html", c5: "", c6: "", c15: ""});
No comments:
Post a Comment