Cooking for a Vegan Lover’s Blog reviews The 30-Minute Vegan

The 30 Minute Vegan

The 30 Minute Vegan is filled with a variety of great easy, quick, and delicious recipes that are (mostly) under 30 minutes. I received this book to review and had the most difficult time choosing recipes to try from it, not because I couldn’t find any but rather because I want to make everything.  That was my first indication that it had the potential to be a great cookbook.  However, the true test would be to see if any of these great sounding recipes actually turned out to be as good as they sounded.

After hours (yes hours) of flipping through this cookbook I finally decided that I would make the Batter Baked Tempura with the Spicy Mustard Sauce, We Will Rock You Three Layer Nachos and Eggless Egg Salad.  The Batter Baked Tempura was delicious especially with the mustard sauce, however I am not sure if it totally resembled tempura but rather it was more like baked onion rings/veggies.  Nevertheless it was amazingly delicious and unfortunately was the only item I ended up taking the time to photograph.

The We Will Rock You Three Layer Nachos were next on my list of items to make and they were so good.  I made both the tempeh bean mixture and nacho cheese sauce which I put over baked blue corn chips and baked then topped with salsa, pickled jalapeno and avocado.  The recipe made so much sauce I only used half of bean mixture and nacho cheese for the nachos and saved the remainder to make a Tex-Mex Mac and Cheese the following night with mushrooms, onions and cherry tomatoes.

My husband’s favorite recipe that I made was the Eggless Egg Salad and it was certainly one of the best recipes for it that I have tried.  I served the Eggless Egg Salad in whole wheat pita halves.  The great part about this recipe is that it made enough for 2 days worth of lunches!

Overall I love this book and find that although not all of the recipes are 30 minutes with prep time and cooking they are still quick, fast, healthy and fun. You can order your own copy of The 30 Minute Vegan on Amazon.

You can also check out other reviews of The 30 Minute Vegan on the following sites:

Happy Herbivore

Basil & Spice

Vegan Guinea Pig

Chow Vegan where you can find reviews & recipes for Mango Gazpacho& Baked Tempura

Vegan Fusion – The authors blog

Vegan Crunk

Mornin’ Fruit Bowl – Vegan Crunk Reviews The 30-Minute Vegan

Mornin’ Fruit Bowl

For some reason, when I get new cookbooks, I always make the ridiculously easy recipes first. You know, the recipes that are so simple, you kinda wonder why you even need a recipe. Even though those sorts of easy meals are common sense, I’m always intrigued by simple recipe ideas that I couldn’t have thought up on my own. Take for example, this Walnut Fruit Bowl from 30 Minute Vegan:

 

It’s just mango, banana, a few frozen blackberries, walnuts, and soymilk. That’s it. The recipe actually called for fresh figs, but I subbed blackberries when I couldn’t find any figs. The thing is, I would never think to throw fruit in a bowl with milk unless that bowl also contained cereal. But this bowl was pretty filling without carbs. And I felt super-healthy starting my day with lots of fruit, a food group I don’t really eat from often enough.

The book, 30 Minute Vegan, was a birthday gift from my boyfriend. It’s by Mark Reinfeld and Jennifer Murray (also the authors of the awesome full-color book Vegan Fusion). Though most of the meals — like this fruit bowl — take far less than 30 minutes, a few are more complicated and take longer than a half hour to prepare. The book features a great mix of healthy cooked and raw meals, which is perfect for an occasional raw foodie like me. In fact, I’m making another recipe from the book for Raw Food Day tomorrow. But you’ll have to wait and see what it is…

Vegan MoFo, Day 4 – Book Review: The 30-Minute Vegan

This review appeared on the vegan mofo website

As promised, my “official” Vegan MoFo weekend post is a cookbook review.

Being that I’m on a tight budget, I have a tendency to check things out of the library to see if they’re worth buying before I’ll spend the money. Cookbooks, craft books, and the like are too expensive to buy on a whim! But The 30-Minute Vegan by Mark Reinfeld and Jennifer Murray quickly became my new favorite cookbook the day it found its way into my hands. I went out and bought a copy of my own before the library lending period was up!

I had been following–and still follow–Reinfeld and Murray’s Vegan Fusion on Twitter, and so knew of the upcoming release of the book. I liked the idea of quick vegan meals for the days when I lack the time, or the energy, to make something too involved. Of course, in order to merit a place in my cookbook library, the recipes also have to be good, and it’s helpful if the ingredients can be obtained without too much hassle.

The 30-Minute Vegan delivers on all counts. With sections for every meal, as well as lighter dishes like salads and soups; plus recipes devoted to beverages, snacks, and desserts, you’ll never be at a loss for something quick, easy, and delicious to make!

It would take far too long to delve into everything that makes this book great, so I’ll keep it short by introducing you to my two personal favorite recipes: the Monk Bowl, and Macaroni and Cheese.

The Monk Bowl was the first recipe in the book that grabbed my attention. It’s just about the easiest, most versatile recipe I’ve ever seen and, though it appears in the book’s lunch section, also makes an excellent dinner. Its perfect balance of quinoa, oven-roasted tofu, and crisp steamed veggies make it a warming, healthy choice for any day, any time. Reinfeld and Murray make several suggestions for variations, as well as recommend sauces and garnishes to give the bowl just the right finishing touch.

Macaroni & Cheese appears in a section devoted entirely to vegan versions of common comfort food favorites. I don’t know about you, but mac and cheese was one thing I sorely missed when I made the switch to a life without dairy. Had I not been forced by lactose intolerance to make that switch almost overnight, I may have transitioned better, but cheese is still one thing I find myself wanting from time to time.

Reinfeld and Murray have the perfect solution for vegans and lactose-intolerants alike: a mac and “cheese” sauce that you can serve to your omni friends and they won’t know the difference. The ingredients are familiar with, of course, a few vegan variations. If you’ve got nutritional yeast and your favorite non-dairy butter and milk on hand, you can make this recipe and feel like a kid again, enjoying your mac and cheese with the knowledge that it’s now 100% vegan, and healthier to boot!

The preface and introductory chapters are invaluable to new and seasoned vegans alike. Reinfeld and Murray offer tips on how to best prepare some of the book’s recurring ingredients, explain several useful preparation methods, and give ideas on how to make your kitchen the best vegan kitchen it can be. Armed with these facts and hints, there’s no reason to be shy about trying new ingredients or putting a new spin on an old favorite.

There is so much more to this book that will broaden your cooking horizons. The recipes span regions, cuisine types, and dietary preferences. Why not be adventurous and try the “Rawvioli”–raw, zucchini-based ravioli with pine-nut-macadamia cheese? Kick things up a notch with the Hot Hot Hot Sauce? Or impress your omni friends and family this holiday season with a completely vegan Holiday Nog?

Whatever you decide to try, you can be sure that The 30-Minute Vegan won’t disappoint!

Miss Eco Glam Reviews The 30-Minute Vegan

Everyone knows how much I love my food and yes some days I will spend the whole day in the kitchen planning and making food.  However, some days, I just don’t have the time to make something too fancy.  I loved the name of this book as it sums up what I am about sometimes. I only have 30 minutes to make something yummy and vegan.  And I am sure you feel the same way too, there is just not enough time these days for any of us to spend in the kitchen on just one thing.

This 348 page thick cookbook is full of approx 175 easy, quick and above all healthy recipes.  Things you can whip up in a flash if someone comes around unannounced!

With lovely colourful pages slipped in different sections of the book it will leave you feeling very inspired.

Vegan and Raw food is just so PRETTY. Full of bright colours and always looks so yummy. No more grey/brown  meals with only yucky colours anymore! Colour usually means healthy so go for the bright dishes I say!

What I LOVE about this book is the Raw Recipes are marked with a little love heart ♥  letting you know that its raw! So naturally, these are the recipes that I have wanted to try out.

However, I realise that not all of you who read Miss Eco Glam are Raw so I will give you a hint of what other recipes are in this fab book! :

There are 14 Chapters of recipes – here is a few I liked the sound of:

Indian Chai Latte, Mushroom Spinach crepes, Maple-Almond French Toast (yummy!!) coconut lime banana bread (sooo going to try this!) Breakfast burrito, English Muffin Melts, Fruit and Cream cheese Quesadilla, Wraps, Amazing Salads and many dressings, Soups such as Mexcian Tortilla Soup, Thai Coconut soup (my fav !) Batter-baked oyster mushrooms, herbed flatbread, Live Macadamia Nut-Ricotta veggie towers, Cheesy Broccoli, Nachos,  Chocolate-peanut butter shake, Baked Apple Crisp, Lucious Lime Pie, Food for kids, and SO much more, I haven’t even scratched the surface here.

These kind of recipe books should really be in every kitchen as even if you are not vegan/raw/vegetarian you can still use these recipes with other food you make. Food should be healthy and enjoyed!

The Sections are called: The Lighter Side of Life: Smoothies & Satiating Beverages; Snacks, Pick Me Ups & Kids’ Favorites; Lunches: Wraps, Rolls, Bowls, and More; Extraordinary Salads; Sumptuous Soups; Small Plates: Appetizers, Side Dishes, Light Dinners; Wholesome Suppers; Guilt-Free Comfort Food: Healthy Translations of Old Stand-bys; and Divine Desserts.

Don’t just take my word for it that this book is fab read what others have said about this:

Rory Freedman, coauthor of the New York Times bestseller Skinny Bitch

“A must-have for every kitchen, The 30 Minute Vegan is everything a cookbook should be—these recipes are fast, easy, and ridiculously good.”

Ellie Krieger, author of “The Food You Crave” and host of Food Network’s Healthy Appetite
“This book is filled with delicious, exciting, healthful recipes that are accessible for everyone. You’ll love it whether you’re a vegan, or you just want to eat like one once in a while.”

John Robbins, author of The Food Revolution and Diet for a New America
“One of the very best vegan cookbooks of all time. Fabulous recipes, healthy food, clear directions, and delicious results!”

Jennifer McCann, author of Vegan Lunch Box and Vegan Lunch Box Around the World
“Don’t let a lack of time keep you from making a healthy choice! These quick, delicious recipes will see you through even the busiest mealtimes with good taste and style.”

Michael Bernard Beckwith, author of Spiritual Liberation: Fulfilling Your Soul’s Potential
“The 30-Minute Vegan is not only a culinary delight for vegetarians and vegans, it appeals to people who relish a meal that luxuriates the palate and satisfies the spirit.”

Arthur H. Brownstein, M.D., M.P.H., author of Healing Back Pain Naturally and Extraordinary Healing
“Mark Reinfeld and Jennifer Murray have written a classic, practical guide to preparing exquisitely tasteful, healthy vegan food that is ideal for busy folks of today. Every home will be enriched by having this book in the kitchen. It is suitable for daily meals prepared for family members, as well as special holiday celebrations.”

HungryVegan.com, 7/9/09
“The 30 Minute Vegan has found a permanent home in my kitchen, where its pages will quickly become worn, torn, and stained.”

VegNews, August 2009
“The 30-Minute Vegan, is a fail-safe cookbook designed to save you time and eliminate stress in the kitchen. With a well-planned collection of fast, simple, and healthy recipes, the duo is determined to keep home dining diverse and your diet in tip-top shape.”

This book is available through Amazon and through many other bookstores!

It is priced at £10.99 in the UK

It would make a good Christmas gift!

Quick, Delicious, Healthy: A Review of The 30 Minute Vegan

From The Vegan Cookbook Critic

Quick, Delicious, Healthy: A Review of the 30 Minute Vegan

I have been a fan of Mark Reinfeld and Jennifer Murray’s work since I first opened Vegan World Fusion and dreamed of being a diner at the Kauai location of Blossoming Lotus. In fact, until it closed (I know, I was devastated!) I had planned to spend my 50th birthday party there (yes, that is still 20 years away. I’m a planner). Last year, I reviewed the Complete Idiot’s Guide to Eating Raw, which has since become an essential addition to my resource library. So when I saw that these authors (the previous two titles were coauthored by Bo Rinaldi) had released a new title, the 30 Minute Vegan, I knew I had to get my hands on it.

I have participated in many outreach events and I often hear people say “I’d love to eat like you do but its just too hard”. Many people are intimidated by the idea of adopting a vegan diet because it seems like chopping all those vegetables would be a daunting task. Mark Reinfeld and Jennifer Murray are helping to destroy that myth by presenting a collection of 175 wholesome recipes that can be prepared and enjoyed in less than 30 minutes.

If you’re familiar with the authors’ previous collections or the menu of their popular restaurant than you would not be surprised that this book contains both raw/live recipes and cooked dishes. The chapters include: preparation basics; smoothies and beverages; breakfast and brunch; snacks, pick-me-ups & kids’ favourites; uplifting lunches – wraps, rolls, bowls; extraordinary salads; sumptuous soups; small plates – appetizers, side dishes & light dinners; wholesome suppers; guilt-free comfort foods; divine desserts; condiments, infused oils & spreads; and feasts soirees and slumber parties. Pretty comprehensive, huh?

I was excited to discover that although the chapter titles might seem somewhat standard for a vegan cookbook, the recipes themselves are unique and provide surprising twists on preparing readily available ingredients. Over the past few weeks I have prepared a number of the recipes from the 30 Minute Vegan with each dish I was increasingly impressed by the fresh, bold flavours.

Quinoa Kitchari

Some of you know that I recently suffered a back injury. When I read the description of the quinoa kitchari as the most healing dish in the ayurvedic system I knew it was exactly what I wanted to balance my emotional frustration and my physical ills. It is a simple dish but the authors provide a number of suggested additions. I prepared my version with red quinoa, red lentils, garlic, ginger, onion stock, kale, carrots, miso and ginger. The flavour was deep, rich and comforting. I’ll let you know if it manages to heal my back.

Power packed energy bar

These bars and fantastically easy to prepare. Throw a bunch of oats, agave, nuts, dried fruit and spices in a big bowl and stir. Press them into a baking pan and after just a few minutes you have a portable, satisfying source of sustainable energy. These are perfect for a road trip, but I actually love them directly from my freezer (I know people who freeze chocolate bars…it’s not so weird).

Watermelon cooler (the pink jars)

This quick blender concoction celebrates summer’s fresh watermelon, spiked with a little strawberry and lime juice. It is as refreshing as it sounds.

Now for the famous live cinnamon buns. I prepared these twice over the past few weeks. They are great for sharing at summer gatherings. Unlike many raw desserts these treats are pretty resistant to summer’s heat and humidity.

Live Cinnamon Rolls – buckwheat dough

Spread with a layer of cinnamon date walnut filling

All rolled up

Seriously? Amazing. Surprising texture and craving inducing flavour. These buckwheat treats are high in fibre and don’t require any dehydrating – so in about 15 minutes you’ll be enjoying a little slice of sweet cinnamon bliss.

Look at those rolls, all ready to be shared with friends. The coconut orange icing is a decadent addition (not shown). I brought these to an event at the Toronto Vegetarian Association. I did not bring any home with me.

Pesto Sauce on cucumber noodles

This is a simple sauce prepared with the authors’ suggested cashews in place of the pine nuts. They imparted the perfect creamy texture and lovely contrasts to the sharp, ripe basil. Pesto is one of my favourite summer recipes. I couldn’t resist the bunches of basil at the farmer’s market last week. This is the perfect way to preserve all of those green leaves – I now have a big freezer container of pesto ready for those cold grey, winter nights.

After trying these recipes from The 30 Minute Vegan I’m still drooling and dreaming about trying dozens of the dishes that Mark and Jennifer have created. Although I have an extensive cookbook collection, I sought out this book and have not been disappointed by the potential delights that this tome contains. I love the pages of additional resources that the authors have compiled, I have had fun exploring and being introduced to amazing people, products and services.

I recently found an online video of Mark preparing the green popcorn that is an excellent medium for consuming a good dose of spirulina for those days when you just need help to get your greens. Check it out. The authors have also shared their recipes Fajitas Bonitas online.

If you have ever felt intrigued about the vegan lifestyle, but felt that it just took too much time and effort, let Mark and Jennifer share their recipes for success. Your taste buds will not be disappointed (either will the animals!).

The Happy Herbivore Reviews The 30-Minute Vegan

After I finished reviewing Vegan Brunch, the publisher asked me if I would be interested in reviewing their latest cookbook, 30-Minute Vegan. As a girl on the go, I knew this cookbook would be great for me and since I know many of my readers also live a crazy life, I knew a review would be beneficial for you! 

I had a difficult time picking out what recipes I wanted to make for this review because everything sounded heavenly. What caught my attention, though, was that several of the recipes are live or have live options. With it being so hot here in New York this summer, I’ve been eating more raw foods to keep cool. (A hot apartment is no fun!). I decided to make a few live recipes, as well as a few that weren’t, to give the cookbook a full review.

I have enjoyed every recipe I have made and look forward to making more recipes in the future. If you follow me on twitter you’ve been hearing me rave about this cookbook for a while now. 30-Minute Vegan is a must-have for anyone who wants healthy, quick meals. What I like best about this cookbook is that it covers all diet preferences. Some recipes are raw and fat heavy while others are raw and low fat. Then there are low fat cooked meals and of course, more decadent cooked meals. The 30-Minute Vegan has something for everyone and enough variety to keep us happy, fed and inspired. From pancakes to pates, nachos to soups, it’s all in there. I highly recommend this cookbook!

Live Pepita Pate and a side salad.
The pate is really flavorful and reminded me of tuna salad.

Live Cinnamon Buns
These buns are so close to the baked variety it’s uncanny. They are absolutely delicious and half of one bun keeps me full all morning. I didn’t make the icing because I don’t keep coconut butter on hand, but I bet they’re even more awesome iced!

Gingered Collard Greens with fresh corn and quinoa
These greens were freakin’ awesome. I had three helpings!
“Buttermilk” Pancakes
Just look how fluffy those pancakes are!
The recipe also uses spelt flour which adds a nice grainy/nutty taste to the pancakes.

We Will Rock You Three-Layer Nachos (not layered)
I served this recipe as two “dips” instead of one when we had friends over recently.  While both were far too watery for my preferences, they taste was spot on. I also liked how quick, easy and fat-free the cheese was!

The Hungry Vegan Reviews The 30-Minute Vegan

A Brand New Must-Have Recipe Book:
The 30 Minute Vegan
by Mark Reinfeld and Jennifer Murray

So many vegan cookbooks, so little time. But as soon as I heard the title, The 30 Minute Vegan, I fell in love with it. As with any great page-turner, I settled into a comfy chair and read through it from cover to cover. Every recipe beckoned to me, and just reading through the ingredients, I knew that these were going to be some very impressive dishes. Discovering a book filled with 175 mouth-watering recipes that could be made in 30 minutes or less was like a dream. If it really turned out to be true that I could prepare great-tasting, satisfying, hearty vegan meals in much less time than I was accustomed to spending in the kitchen, then The 30 Minute Vegan would truly be a godsend.

But where to begin? Because I happened to have some nice, juicy ripe mangos on hand, I started with the Live Mango Gazpacho Soup. While most gourmet raw food dishes are time consuming (all that soaking, chopping, dehydrating, etc.), and high in fat from nuts, seeds, and avocado, this delightful little soup turned out to be a wonderful surprise! It’s actually simple to prepare and made for a sensational low-fat summertime dish. As I have a garden full of mint, I substituted it for the cilantro called for in the recipe, and it blended quite nicely with the lime juice and mangos. That’s one of the things I love about The 30 Minute Vegan: Unlike most other cookbooks, the way the recipes are presented, you are actually encouraged and inspired to add your own culinary creativity. I loved that feeling of freedom! I wasn’t afraid to experiment on the first go-round with any recipe. The authors made me feel like I couldn’t mess it up.

The Monk Bowl’s, “Zen simplicity,” as it is described in the book, is also co-author Mark Reinfeld’s favorite meal to prepare. So I couldn’t resist trying such an enlightened and inspired recipe. It’s made with quinoa, which is noted for containing more high-quality protein than any other grain. I love it’s lighter-than-brown-rice consistency, although this dish would be wonderful with any kind of rice, too. I chose to use roasted tempeh instead of tofu, (one of the suggested variations on this recipe), and added sliced red bell pepper and edamame to the mix of broccoli, carrots, and cauliflower. Served with nutritional yeast, soy sauce, flax seed oil, and a sprinkling of toasted sesame seeds, the lightly-steamed veggies and fluffy quinoa made for a hearty and satisfying meal. I think that the next time I make this dish, I’ll try it with the peanut sauce suggested as another variation of this recipe.

I was very excited to see that a simplified version of the prize-winning recipe from last year’s Most Remarkable Vegan Recipe Contest was thoughtfully included in The 30 Minute Vegan. Live Un-Stir-Fry with Cauliflower Rice was as fun to prepare as it was vibrantly eye-appealing and palate-pleasing. The cauliflower “rice” really fooled my taste buds, and the spicy vegetable dressing had just the right balance of sweetness and piquancy. Warning: Don’t click on the photo below, unless you are ready to arouse your appetite.

Extremely helpful sidebars are peppered throughout the book: “Quicker and Easier,” “Tips and Tricks,” “Superfoods for Health,” and “If You Have More Time” enhance the value of this book a thousandfold. As do the opening chapters, “Getting Started” and “Preparation Basics,” which includes grain and dried bean cooking charts. It’s wonderful to have all of this information in one place!

Since I feel the need to get my hands on a copy of every vegan cookbook that comes along, I have a stack of them collecting dust on my bookshelf. But like the authors’ earlier books, Vegan World Fusion Cuisine and The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Eating Raw, The 30 Minute Vegan has found a permanent home in my kitchen, where its pages will quickly become worn, torn, and stained. And I haven’t even begun to scratch the surface of this book. Can you say Chocolate Ganache Pie?