FireFly

Table of Contents

Acknowledgments

Introduction

Being Vegan

Healthy Body Systems

Whole Foods

Basics

Appetizers, Spreads and Dips, Pestos and Salsas

Soups, Salads and Sides

Casseroles, Stews and Curries

Baked, Roasted and Stir-Fried Vegetables

Pasta, Rice and Whole Grains

Beverages and Snacks

Desserts

Glossary

Sources

Bibliography

Index

Introduction

My goal in accepting the challenge of developing a strictly vegan recipe and resource book was to design recipes so good that everyone who enjoys food -- non-vegan and non-vegetarian cooks included -- would scramble to make and taste them.

As a creative food writer, culinary herbalist and cookbook author, I work with food and develop new recipes on a regular basis and I am always striving for tempting dishes that are bold, innovative, fresh and easy and above all deliriously delicious. It is a tall order for all cooks. For vegans, it can be overwhelming.

I am not a vegan. I am not even a strict vegetarian. I would characterize my eating style as flexitarian. That is, I enjoy organic fruits, vegetables, herbs and dairy products on a regular basis but include a small amount of organic lamb, chicken, beef and fish once or twice a week.

It doesn't necessarily take a strict vegan to develop fine vegan recipes. In my view, one needs to love food and have an intuitive understanding of how to create really good-tasting food before one can begin to work within the limits of a vegan regime. My recipes are based on honest ingredients with no "imitations." For example, I do not attempt a vegan angel food cake, because that beautifully light confection relies on a dozen egg whites for its very existence. Instead, I am pleased to present Spiced Apple Cake -- a dessert classic that happily satisfies vegan guidelines while finishing off a meal in style.

This book takes away the worry of trying to make non-vegan recipes work. That is because the dishes herein are not simply non-vegan recipes reworked. They are original recipes that hold the divineness of plant foods at their core. They are spanking new with a new perspective and a healthy respect for today's sophisticated palates. And they celebrate the very best of organic fruits, herbs and vegetables.

Eat well -- Be well, Pat Crocker
www.riversongherbals.com

 

Delivering more than 200 recipes that are high in nutrition and low in fat, Crocker shows that a plant-based diet can be varied and delicious.... Rich recipes use a diversity of natural foods sure to please even the most sophisticated palates.
- Aimee Hosler, Featured Chef  chef2chef.com  2009 11 30

The Vegan Cook's Bible, by Pat Crocker, teaches you the value of leaner, cleaner eating and shows how to whip up dishes with exciting flavors.
- June Naylor  Star Telegram (Dallas-Fort Worth)  2009 04 29