Saturday, October 6, 2007

The Joy Of VEGAN BAKING

Look what I got in the mail yesterday! The Joy of Vegan Baking by Colleen Patrick-Goudreau. You've seen her column in VegNews, and ask a vegan, plus all sorts of other great accomplishments.

But let's talk about this cookbook! It's thick (287 pages) with full page photos on about every third page. She offers tips, serving suggestions, food lore, and clears up cooking confusion with clear explanations. This is the closest thing I've seen to a vegan baking "Bible" covering the full range. To help us find our way through the 15 chapters of baking options, she also sorts her recipes by ingredient, seasons, and celebrations & occasions.

I'm becoming somewhat of a vegan cookbook collector, and this one definitely deserves a tiara! I'm impressed.


I decided to make the 'Pumpkin Spice Bread' for the girl's snack since we were painting pumpkins and feeling very Fall-ish.

I appreciate her option of using either Ener-G Replacer or ground flaxseed, and I used the later. I used 1/3 ww flour and 2/3 white, which is the balance I seem to prefer. Being out of ground cloves, I subbed pumpkin pie spice. The rest was straight up, and of course I added the optional chocolate chips.


The verdict? Fit for a princess! Delicious. This recipe makes a lot. For me it yielded a full-sized loaf pan and 12 muffins. She recommends making 4 mini loaves to give as gifts, which would be a great treat to share. The girls are eating some of the left-over loaf for breakfast as I type -- and it's awesome the next day, too! I really can't wait to fully explore this cookbook, and at the moment, the book remains open, either in the kitchen or on the nightstand! :)

39 comments:

theONLYtania said...

Haha, I love the little princess holding the book for you. Man, it looks good! And whatever is on the cover looks good! Hmm.. I might have to buy this.

LizNoVeggieGirl said...

wow, that cookbook definitely looks like something that I should purchase. mmm, that pumpkin-spice-bread looks delicious; and that's great that you were able to make a loaf AND a batch of muffins, from that one recipe!!

laura k said...

Thanks for the fabulous review of that cookbook--I'll have to keep my eyes peeled. You chose an excellent recipe to start with--pumpkin is my favorite baked-goods ingredient! It looks so delicious!

Anonymous said...

Thank you for opening my eyes to this cookbook. It sounds wonderful although I did promise myself I had to start cooking more out of the cookbooks I already own before buying another one! Far too often I rely on internet recipes.

Dr. Melissa West said...

Hmmm, another vegan cookbook I need to add to my shelf? My shelf is wall mounted and I am starting to get afraid that it might not hold up to the weight of all these great vegan cook books!

aTxVegn said...

I was wondering if that cookbook was worth purchasing. Thanks for the great review and the picture to prove it definitely is worth buying!

Anonymous said...

I'm becoming somewhat of a vegan cookbook collector too!!
another one to add to my wish list!

thanks for the review!

what a cute princess :)

vko said...

I love a good book and a good book that's a cookbook is just a gift that keeps on giving.

Happy Fall! That pic of your daughter is just too cute for words.

urban vegan said...

I literally *just* bought this cookbook at Borders a few hours ago and can't wait to dive in--especially after reading your review.

These look like recipes that will impress even the most ridig of omnivores.

urban vegan said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Rose said...

I'm so glad you're enjoying that cookbook because I've been thinking of getting it soon.

Anonymous said...

Thank you so much for your wonderful review! I love the photos! My intention with this cookbook - and with all the work I do - is to demystify what "vegan" means, which is why I chose to focus on very traditional, familiar recipes for this book. Thank you again for your fabulous review and for your fantastic blog!

The Little Mama said...

Ah, you can never have too many cookbooks, I say! I didn't even know about this one, but I'll have to look into it. Thanks for the heads-up!

Diz Rivera said...

Awesome review! Thanks.

Vegan_Noodle said...

You daugther is so adorable. And how nice to see a recipe review of Colleen's new book! I am hoping to pick up a copy soon (tried to order from food fight but they were out). And you definitely can't have too many vegan cookbooks!

madeinalaska said...

okay... see now I REALLY need yet another cook booke, eh? I already have a amazon wish list a mile long... but, really I keep telling honey who REALLY benifits???? I have to do all the prep and dishes all he has to do is eat>>>?? Am I wrong????
Love all your photos.. wayyyy tooo cute!
take care,
Julee

Tanya Kristine said...

yes yes...pumpkin is just the best to bring in the fall season. your daughter is diggin' it too!!!

energ stuff? I've herad of that. i must look in to getting some.

bazu said...

Yummy review! Thanks for bringing this book to my attention- I'll have to keep an eye out for it!

Mikaela said...

Have I told you lately what an awesome mom you are? It looks like you guys had so much fun! :)

ChocolateCoveredVegan said...

Hehe it looks like the cookbook is wearing a crown. And oh-my-gosh your daughter has the most beautiful brown eyes :o).

KleoPatra said...

xoxoxoxo

LOVE THE LITTLE SWEETIES...

Teresa said...

The book sounds like a winner!

Great choice on the pumpkin loaf- so fitting for the season.

Art Hodge said...

I must echo the "awesome mom" comment from mikaela, as well as the "sweeties" comment from my pal kleo.

Anonymous said...

oh no....another book I must buy! I have such an addiction....thanks for feeding it!

Monika K said...

At this time of year, I'm all about the pumpkin! I'm already on the hunt for this cookbook - thanks for the recommendation!

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