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best cookbook for vegan entertaining?

best cookbook for vegan entertaining?

Started by Jenn on May 9, 2011

5 Comments

Jenn said #1 May 9, 2011 at 3:23pm

Yesterday I went to my inlaws for dinner. My mother in law is totally supportive of my newly proclaimed vegan eating. However, she doesn't have a clue what to make. She made a big pot of beans. Just beans, nothing else. I grabbed some tomatos and lettuce that she had cut up for everyone's burgers... My father in law apologized because I was just eating beans. He looked truly sad that I wasn't eating meat. After dinner, we had dessert. I had brought an apple crisp for everyone and a veganized a smaller one for myself using vegan butter and agave instead of sugar. My mother in law opened both and gave everyone the choice of which they would prefer. My father in law points to the regular one and says "taste" and then points to the vegan one and say "no taste". I laughed because he is a diehard meat eater and bbq's a steak 5 days a week. So... I REALLY want to get a vegan cookbook that will be wonderful for entertaining all my non-vegan friends and family. I want them to see how truly yummy vegan food is and to not miss the meat and cheese. I would also like to perhaps be able to get my husband to eat one vegan meal a week... It will be a challenge... the man LOVES Burger King.

I would prefer a cookbook that kind of gave a whole meal plan from appetizer to entree, then I could just add a dessert...

Debs said #2 Jul 5, 2011 at 12:13pm

"Party Vegan" by Robin Robertson is great to design a full meal. The recipes are organized by occasion, and the author also provides alternate menus were you can mix and match recipes. Not the healthiest stuff around (lots of white flour, refined sugar, etc.) but very crowd-pleasing, and easily customized to whatever ingredients you're more comfortable with. I've had good results with everything I tried from this book.

Another good "omni-pleasing" cookbook, although not pre-organized by menu, is Skinny B*tch - The Ultimate Cookbook by Kim Barnouin. Don't let the title stop you, the recipes are absolutely awesome, easy, and so tasty, you won't miss the meat. I looove this cookbook!!

Dessert-wise, I suggest "Sweet Vegan" by Emily Mainquist. You simply can't tell it's vegan... Again, lots of refined stuff, but it's a great occasional treat. Surely a great way to make the non-vegan around us happy and satisfied.

I hope this help! Enjoy!!

PS - A lot of my friends don't mind eating vegan, but would rather go by the "Don't ask, don't tell" policy i.e. I don't broadcast that what I'm serving is vegan (they're smart enough to figure out that it is since I'm eating it), but I will point it out if they comment on how delicious it is. Same thing when I throw dinner parties, no need to invite them to a "vegan dinner party". Who knows, they might not even notice... =)

Jenn said #3 Jul 5, 2011 at 4:04pm

Thanks for the response Debs! I will check out the cookbooks. I do have the Skinny B book and I LOOOOOOOOOOOOOOVE it! I've even tried a few recipes in there I hope to woo my husband over to veganism with LOL. I will check out the other ones also.

That "dont' ask don't tell" policy is a super one. I think I'm going to try that more myself...

Jdoc said #4 Jul 6, 2011 at 6:54pm

i really love "the vegan table" by colleen patrick-godreau......she breaks categories down seasonally and gives options for apps, entrees, and desserts. all of her stuff is delicious! i have all of her cookbooks actually.......they don't disappoint :)

VeggieGirl said #5 Jul 23, 2011 at 8:06am

I second the "don't ask, don't tell" policy. My husband eats mostly what I cook (vegan fare), and after seeing a significant drop in his blood pressure from eating vegan 'most of the time' (hypertension stage 2 to stage 1), adopted a full on vegan diet this summer. He is currently at the bottom range of prehypertension and has lost a significant amount of weight. Maybe your husband will come around when he sees all the benefits you're experiencing and perhaps experiences a few himself from 'tending that way' as my husband called it.

For entertaining, I absolutely love "Vegan Cupcakes Take Over the World" and "Vegan Cookies Invade Your Cookie Jar." All of the recipes (I've tried many in each book) are delicious and omnivore-pleasing, though not typically the healthiest. I only make them on special occasions or if I have a house full of kids (because kids LOVE to help bake). The cookie book also has lots of recipes that aren't really cookies (like rice crispy treats...yum!).

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