Betty Goes Vegan: 500 Classic Recipes for the Modern Family

This review is for the Kindle version of "Betty Goes Vegan."I've been looking forward to adding this vegan cookbook to my bookshelf for some time. As a reader of Annie and Dan's "Meet the Shannons" blog, this cookbook doesn't disappoint--and for those just discovering the "Betty Goes Vegan" project, you won't be disappointed either.Annie has a down-to-earth --CUTE!-- writing style that not only fills in the basics (tools, pantry), but she really outlines and writes her recipes with specific instructions and techniques to do some crazy-creative stuff like "vegan fried eggs" (they look amazing) or "chicken wings" that look invitingly (or scarily, depending on your POV) real. I definitely recommend reading the recipes before you make them to get the details, and in some cases, the advance prep ready in your mind (and pantry) before you start.:: What I Love ::I usually gloss over the "What you need" sections of cookbooks, but this time I found reading Annie's suggestions and tips helpful and entertaining. She doesn't take herself so seriously that you can feel comfortable, even if this is your initial trip into vegan cooking. This section along with her recipes have quite a few nods to popular culture that are a nice touch and make this a fun cookbook to just read.The Shannons take _everything_ on boldly and with a creativity that's shows the world that Vegan eating and cooking is a creative force and inspiring for the cook and guest alike: Denver omelet (check!), Coquilles St. Jacques (check!), bacon burgers (check!) Osso Buco (check!) It's GOOD FOOD for anyone. Period.This Cookbook is thorough and well-organized. I read the Kindle version, and the e-book is well done with not only a Kindle Table Of Contents, but also a manually-created Table of Contents that gives every recipe in order of appearance. You can browse the recipes easily with the TOC provided. Annie also has some recipes that use a sauce or another recipe in BVG to re-create a version of a dish. In those cases, the other recipe in "Betty Goes Vegan" is linked so you can get to it easily.Betty Crocker cookbooks are an icon and a traditional gift from a mom to daughters or for a wedding or shower gift to new brides. I think "Betty Goes Vegan" can perfectly fit into this same tradition for today's brides who believe in compassionate eating and plant-based diets--with a cool, retro twist.:: Keep in Mind ::* For those of you who really want pictures with recipes, they are in the back of the Kindle book and not in line with the recipe itself.* While we have the retro "Betty" cover, and it's based on the Betty Crocker cookbook from 2010, BGV is not an exact veganized replica of that cookbook a la "Julie and Julia." However, it's clear that many recipes originated from the Betty Crocker repertoire, and I love the variety and international dishes that Annie re-did over a traditional mid-century American menu of casseroles and jello salads (yuck, right?).* If you are a long-time, staunch vegan, you may not like that many recipes include commercial mock/fake meats by Gardein and May Wah. For myself, I plan to sub my own vegan alternatives for the commercial products (like soy curls, which both Isa Chandra Moskowitz and Julie Hasson use in some recipes). I dislike Daiya cheese, so I will use a rice cheese or a homemade vegan cheese. No big deal.* Also, many recipes contain soy products (tofu,tempeh,soy milk) and some use Liquid Smoke (a very interesting idea to me, but scary to some)--that may be a deal-breaker.Betty Goes Vegan is a 481-page cookbook tour de force --a successful one-- and I hope the beginning of more from the Shannons!

I am so glad I ordered this cookbook! So many times I've ordered vegan cookbooks and been disappointed because the recipes looked so unappetizing that I wasn't even inspired to try them, or they just downright tasted bad after I went to the trouble of buying the ingredients and preparing them. Not so with this one! This cookbook is filled with the familiar and comforting dishes we all grew up with and remember so fondly, the ones you thought you'd have to leave behind once you became vegan. The book's heartwarming dedication reads "For the lobsters", and the authors go on to preface each of the 500 recipes with a little story about the recipe's origin and what you can expect when you make it. I can't wait to try these recipes! A few seem complicated, like the Vegan Fried Eggs, but not so in-depth that I wouldn't try to make them. However, most of the dishes are familiar, straightforward, and easy. In addition, you need to know that most of the recipes call for processed vegan meat and cheese substitutes, so if you have a problem with that, this may not be the book for you. But if you're like me and allow yourself these yummy treats once or twice a week, then GET THIS COOKBOOK! The recipes range from fancy-schmancy to down-home comfort food. For example, there are recipes that will placate your inner vegan gourmet like Vegan Venison with Cranberry and Wine Sauce...Vegan Bacon, Walnut, and Swiss Chard Quiche...Champagne and Hazelnut Risotto with Vegan Chicken. There's also the old familiar stand-bys like Vegan Tuna Casserole, Big Easy Jambalaya, Margherita Pizza, and Skillet Nachos. The book is separated into easy reference sections for breakfast, lunch, dinner, desserts, and appetizers/snacks. It is then further separated into subcategories. For example, the dinner category is subdivided into Meat, Poultry, and Fish...Casseroles...Pizzas...Burgers and Melts...Pasta...Beans and Grains...International (Europe, Asia, Central/South America)...The Sidekicks...Sauces and Condiments. Also included is a section dedicated to ingredients used throughout the cookbook (what they are, where to find them, etc.). There's even a Holiday Favorites section with recipes for Thanksgiving, Christmas, Hanukkah and Passover, and Easter! This big, beautiful book does not disappoint! I can't wait to dive in and cook my way through it! This cookbook is well worth the money, and in my opinion, worthy of hanging onto through the years and passing on as an heirloom. This book lands squarely at the top of my favorites!UPDATE: I made the Denver Omelet for Sunday brunch and posted a picture in the customer images. Let me start by saying the omelet looks uncannily like the real thing. The cookbook states that this recipe is on the more difficult side, but I found it to be extremely easy. As far as taste goes, I thought it was delicious! It doesn't taste like it's made with eggs, but it does have the mouth feel of a traditional soft omelet. This dish definitely satisfies and smacks of grilled peppers and onions, smoked ham, and melty cheese! I substituted Daiya cheddar in the recipe and it turned out fine. I think it's worth noting that this is not the kind of recipe you want to make in advance. It's best served right away. I had a leftover omelet for dinner, and although it tasted fine, it just did not have that fresh, puffy, straight-out-of-the-skillet look you want in an omelet. I served this dish with homemade hashbrowns and fresh brewed coffee. Traditional Americana diner fare at it's finest, but VEGAN!

The book looks fun but I feel it lacks originality. The meals are all regular quite heavy meat meals with the meat part replaced with vegan meat.I think its a very good transitional book for people experimenting with veganism, and it has a good introduction on vegan cooking, but I personally prefer lots of clean and fresh plant based meals.

I love the Betty Crocker books, but this is packed with lots of good ideas and recipes. I was delighted to have it as a gift!

Great item just perfect thanks x

Ich habe mir dieses Buch in der Hoffnung gekauft, viele Rezepte aus den Vereinigten Staaten zu finden. Die Optik des Buches lässt einen auf viele Gerichte hoffen die ihren Ursprung in der "guten alten Zeit" der USA haben, sprich "Hausfrauenkost der 50er Jahre". Gut, es sind "viele" drin, ABER sehr viele dieser Rezepte verlangen nach Zutaten, die es a) kaum oder b) schwer in Deutschland zu kaufen gibt.Ich persönlich hätte mir wesentlich mehr DIY-Rezepte gewünscht. Ich brauche KEIN Kochbuch, was mir empfiehlt, "tauen sie das vegane Hühnchen auf" "nehmen sie den TOURKY aus der Verpackung", da kann ich mir auch ein X-beliebiges Buch nehmen um es selbst zu veganisieren.Schade drum

The Betty is Betty Crocker - or Mrs Average housewife/cook veganising regular everyday meals useful to get a collection of day to day recipes, and plenty of recipes to try (500) - so looking forward to trying them out