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!!
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. :)
ReplyDeleteGreat 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!
ReplyDeleteHefty 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.
ReplyDeleteThe thing that makes American diner food is the unhealthy aspect. It's so darn good but so bad at the same time.
ReplyDeleteSomething really hearty, comforting, and usually unhealthy represents American diner food for me. It so so good!!! Pie for dessert, of course!
ReplyDeleteI'm going to go for a stereotype and say the all American food is apple pie! :)
ReplyDeleteIn Miami it's a Cuban sandwich and key lime pie! Cuban sandwiches are the the only thing I miss.
ReplyDeleteThe 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.
ReplyDeleteMy 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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ReplyDeleteAccidentally 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.
DeleteI love the diversity that makes up the people and food in America!