Wednesday, October 17, 2012

Book Review - American Vegan Kitchen



American Vegan Kitchen by Tamasin Noyes is all about comfort food. I don't know if it is really fair to call this a review as I have reviewed and praised this book several times before. The new relationship glow we had in the beginning has matured into a comfortable, familiar trusting relationship. I had the great pleasure to be a tester for this book, so I have tried MANY of the recipes. Tami's writing style makes you feel like she is your buddy and you're hanging out in the local greasy spoon.

She provides a lot of great basic information on vegan proteins. Her savory seitan recipe (the slow cooker version particularly) is one of my go-to seitan recipes. It turns out great every time. She offers brief tips and tidbits without being long winded. On thing I adore about this book is her section titled "Celebrate All Year 'Round with American Vegan Kitchen". It is a fun list of different food themed days for throughout the year. If you are lacking blogging inspiration or cooking inspiration, turn to this section and get yourself a theme going. 

A couple of weeks ago someone posted it was taco Tuesday. I hadn't been to the store and wanted to make some tacos. Luckily, I had everything I needed to make AVK's 21st Century Tacos (pg. 145). I don't think it is fair for an Arizona, chile lovin' girl to critique these tacos. I will tell you, that I like mine much more fired up. But this recipe is super easy and great for a quick weeknight meal. I think most gringos and gringas will very much enjoy these. The taco meat freezes really well, so make double and freeze some for a super quick dinner. 


One of my all time favorite sweet treats when I was very young was tapioca pudding. I don't remember the last time I had tapioca pudding! When I was testing, I really didn't look at the desserts much for some reason. I guess it was because I had just come off of testing for a baking book and I was bursting out of my pants. I was excited when I found the Mom's Tapioca Pudding (pg. 196). It was very parntry friendly. I didn't have instant tapioca, but it's in every store, so no biggie. I could hardly wait for it to cool off to eat it. I let it get completely cooled, because this is how I ate it as a kid. Oh man did this take me back!! The recipe says it serves four. Hah! I didn't want to share any of it...but I did.


It's time for another give away! American Vegan Kitchen can be yours!!

America is truly a melting pot. There are so many cultural influences in American dishes. For this contest, leave a comment about what you think represents All-American food or great American diner fare. Leave your comment by midnight MST tomorrow 10-18-12. US residents only.

Come back tomorrow when I will be posting a recipe from the book!!

11 comments:

  1. Is it right to assume this give away is for AVK? I already have it and I LOVE it, and wanted to say as much, so this isn't an entry, but I will say her tunaless noodle casserole is classic American to me - complex despite its simple appearance, comfroting, and just amazingly falvorful. :)

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  2. Great American diner fare usually equals a meat chunk/starch chunk/sugar chunk combo...either burger, fries and ice cream or meatloaf, mashed potatoes and cherry pie. For me that would be a spicy lentil burger, roasted veggie wedges and some yumful So Delicious for dessert...although now that you mention pudding, I could totally go for that instead! Cheers!

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  3. Hefty cheeseburgers and sides of fries are what scream "excellent diner experience" to me. Something I don't really have a vegan equivalent to... yet. :-) And pie a la mode for dessert.

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  4. The thing that makes American diner food is the unhealthy aspect. It's so darn good but so bad at the same time.

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  5. Something really hearty, comforting, and usually unhealthy represents American diner food for me. It so so good!!! Pie for dessert, of course!

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  6. I'm going to go for a stereotype and say the all American food is apple pie! :)

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  7. In Miami it's a Cuban sandwich and key lime pie! Cuban sandwiches are the the only thing I miss.

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  8. The thing I like best about American diner food is that, at least at the diners I've been to, you can get breakfast all day! It's the American way.

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  9. poopiebitch@hotmail.comOctober 18, 2012 at 4:38 PM

    My dad always used to order an egg salad sandwich with olives at the local diner when I was growing up, so that has somehow stuck in my brain as the typical 'all-American' diner meal.

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    1. Accidentally deleted my post! I recently had to "define" American food to my out of the country family and used pizza as a typical American food.

      I love the diversity that makes up the people and food in America!

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