Vegan Family Meals

I am so surprised to discover that I never actually published a review of Vegan Family Meals by Ann Gentry – I’m pretty sure that everyone has had me repeatedly recommend this book for years. Although some of the recipes in this book are more what I’d call specialist, requiring ingredients not easily sourced at your local supermarket, most are very accessible and surprisingly easy to make. It’s a complete cookbook, providing ideas for break, lunch, dinner, dessert and snacks. The recipes offered cater for quick last minute meals and full day preparation dinner parties. Several of the recipes I’d modify on second making, as ingredients in this country varied slightly which created a saltier flavour that I believe was intended, but nothing I made was inedible. Beyond excellent recipes, it also provides advice on nutrition and preparation of items that may be unfamiliar. And while it can be expensive to initially buy some of the ingredients required, after than initial purchase a little goes a looooooong way – and ingredients are used in multiple recipes. When first testing this I made a ‘meatloaf’ with ‘beef’ gravy. I found the meatloaf delicious. My husband, a true carnivore suggested that the only reason is was nice was because I’d covered it in gravy. In fairness, he’s not a fan of celery, but win round one for the vegan gravy! As an egg and butter baker, I loved the chocolate bundt cake. Many vegan chocolate cakes I’ve found to be quite bland with a strange texture, this one was excellent.
I have recommended this book often over the years, and feedback has always been positive. It’s a well-balanced book that caters for most budget and lifestyles, and recipes are clear, graphical and easy to follow.