Cookbook Review #3
Please note that I was sent a free copy of this cookbook to test. No strings were tied to receiving the free copy - I was not asked to review it nor asked to provide a favorable review.Quick-Fix Vegetarian
Author: Robin Robertson
(amazon link - so you can see the cover)
Although the title says "vegetarian", most recipes appear to be vegan, making it a much more flexible cookbook for my readers. I'm not sure if I agree that the recipes are "30 minutes or less", but then those who write cookbooks are never as lazy cooks as we are! (And I believe they tend to have sous chefs to do prep and clean-up.) Of course like most cookbooks, it is padded with some unnecessary recipes - appetizers, desserts, soups - since most of us who are buying cookbooks with "quick" "fast" or "easy" in the titles are really looking for complete dinners we can plop on the table with little effort. And as a mock-meat fan, I'd like to see more recipes using those, but then who would need to read my blog?
My favorite tip I learned from this book is the use of "mushroom gravy" in recipes. It does takes some shopping around to find one that is vegetarian. (I ended up going with an envelope mix, but I'm still on the lookout for a canned vegetarian version. If you find one, please post a comment.) We loved the "Shepherd's Pie" I made (more or less) following the recipe on page 138.
Overall, I'd say this cookbook provides a great variety of flavors and ideas in medium-effort recipes. It's a good addition to a lazy vegetarian's kitchen!
posted by Annie at
7:47 AM
8 comment(s):
We use Bisto - it is an English product that makes a brown gravy If you can not find it locally they sell it online on most British Stores. Bisto
By
Anonymous, at
9:19 AM
GREAT STUFF. The more veg cook books the better...
By
KleoPatra, at
9:38 PM
Ummm Bisto sold online is normally meat stock, the vegetarian one is difficult to get easily. It does not replace mushroom gravy, in fact tastes nothing like it. Yes, I am a Brit. :)
If you want to make your own mushroom gravy extract leave me a note on the blog and I'll make up a bottle to show you how. Stores for 6 months, refridgerate once open. Totally vegan, and no nasty additives.
I use mine for Shepherds pie (lentil version), Mushroom and chickpea pie etc.
Have fun :)
By
Unknown, at
12:15 PM
The "Quick Fix" in the title sells me! Thanks for the heads-up.
By
Anonymous, at
10:11 AM
I have used canned mushroom soup instead of gravy, just adjust the liquid you add to it to make it gravylike.
By
Anonymous, at
6:07 PM
Forgot to mention that if you use some cheap wine as your liquid in slightly diluting your canned mushroom soup that makes your fake gravy substitute a little more interesting. Or use a little bit of some other tasty liquid. Won't be exactly like meat gravy, but you don't expect that anyway?
By
Anonymous, at
6:14 PM
Campbell's mushroom gravy is canned and it appears to be vegetarian.
By
Anonymous, at
7:18 PM
Why not use Tofurky mushroom and giblet gravy. It is available frozen, is vegan and quite rich tasting.
Karen and Philip Mann ( Vegetarian Revenge Better living Without Chemistry available from Amazon/books0
By
Anonymous, at
10:28 AM
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