VeganMoFo Day 12: My Favorite Cookbook "Appetite for Reduction"

Today's MoFo Prompt: "Tell us about your favorite cookbook"

My favorite cookbook, without a doubt, is Appetite for Reduction. I have many beloved cookbooks, but for general purposes, AfR is my go-to for sure. I have given this cookbook to so many people over the years (vegans, non-vegans, and aspiring vegans), and recommended it to even more people. In fact, I have already done two entire blog posts in previous years devoted entirely to this book (see them here and here) 

#1 Fan Girl

What if they actually made Appetite for Reduction knee-high socks? I would buy them.

Why am I such a fan? 

1. The recipes are generally easy to make. 

Almost every recipe in this book is relatively quick, easy to make, and is comprised of easy-to-procure ingredients. For that reason, I think this is a very friendly book for newer vegans or non-vegans who may want to occasionally cook for vegan friends and family. Although I absolutely love having a fridge and pantry stocked full with vegan specialty ingredients, I know that's not for everyone... and AfR certainly doesn't require it.

2. The meals are healthy.

Most of the time, I aim for a healthy dinner that's got some good protein and is packed full with veggies. Obviously, the recipes in this book are aimed at low-calorie diets. But even if that's not your objective, they are very healthy meals. You could always add a little more oil, or just double the serving size (ahem, I do this all the time) if you're not looking to lose weight. That said, you'll feel good eating such balanced meals full of flavors and veggies and nutrition.

3. The meals are delicious! 

Even with a focus on easy-to-make and healthy-to-eat meals, the recipes in AfR don't skimp on flavor at all. The book also contains such a huge variety of meals and flavors and veggies - the selection of recipes is very diverse... so, even if there are a few recipes that don't appeal to you, there are many others that certainly will. These recipes are also so reliable, so even new-to-you recipes are likely to immediately become new faves.

our most recent Appetite for Reduction dinner: Hoisin Tofu Lettuce Cups & Potato Scallion Pancakes

Here are some pics of a few of our favorite recipes from Appetite for Reduction: 

Hottie Black-Eyed Peas & Greens

 Caldo Verde with Crumbled Tempeh

 Chipotle Chili with Sweet Potatoes & Brussels Sprouts

 Summer Lovin' Curried Corn Chowder

 Curried Scrambled Tofu with Wilted Arugula

  Spinach Lasagna with Roasted Cauliflower Ricotta & Spinach

 Mango BBQ Beans (plus Scallion Corn Bread)

Goddess Nicoise Salad with Green Goddess Garlic Dressing

Thai Roasted Root Vegetable Curry

It's interesting to see that I have never even blogged about many of the meals that I've made from this book. For example, I couldn't even find pictures of the Arabian Lentil & Rice Soup or the Sushi Roll Edamame Salad with Green Onion-Miso Vinaigrette, both of which I've made many times. I think part of the reason for that is probably just that this is the book I go to weeknight meals when I want something reliable, healthy and easy... not necessarily for blog-worthy meals. I've made more recipes from this book than from any other cookbook in my collection, and there are still a few more in there awaiting my discovery. I'll try to blog about my future creations with more regularity!

Honorable Mentions:

Best Cookbook for Reading & Exploring

Silk Road Cooking: A Vegetarian Journey: I just love reading through this beautiful and evocative book. If you have wanderlust and are dreaming of a far off land, this is the book for you. If you are in a rut and need inspiration for flavors and ingredients you don't use every day, this book will cure what ails you. The photos are absolutely stunning, and the writings throughout are thought-provoking and moving.

Best Cookbook for Dinner Parties

Voluptuous Vegan: This book came out a long while back and isn't very popular anymore, but I really love it. If I'm in the mood to cook up a nice feast with multiple harmonious elements, this is the first place I go. I love how the recipes are clustered in menus, and you can just prepare as many or as few of the constituent parts as you want. 

Anything Else by Isa Chandra Moskowitz

Vegan Brunch, Veganomicon, Isa Does It, Vegan Cupcakes Take Over the World, etc etc. Isa's books are just so reliable. All of these books get a lot of play at our house - with consistent results. Isa's recipes are the kinds of recipes that you can make for the very first time even when you have company coming over, because you just know they will work every time. So few duds, so many lifetime favorites. 

I am one of those vegans with a million cookbooks, so I'm really looking forward to reading all of your posts about your favorite books - and hopefully get inspired to use some of my lesser-used books!