Criticisms of Vegan w/ a Vengence
I got this book a couple weeks ago and I've yet to make anything out if it.
Everytime I look through it, searching for a recipe to try, I become overwhelmed.
It all seems so difficult and time consuming. So many of the recipes have 15-20 ingredients and several have over 30. And looking at those ingredients, I'm guessing the recipes are anything but "cheap" as the cover claims. I mean really, hijiki? Cardamom pods? Pomegranate molasses? I'll have to drive all over town if I want to try one of the entrees.
I really want to make this book work. They really do sound like tantalizing recipes. But I'm also frustrated. And the thing is, I'm really a pretty good cook and have lots of good cooking skills. It just seems as if it's all so much work. I guess I'll have to start with one of the simpler side dishes and work up from there.
I'm wondering if anyone else feels this way or if I'm totally alone on this.
well, as much as i agree that some of the things Isa has in her cookbook doesn't match up with cheap, easy-my husband is pretty much anti veganism, but i haven't made anything in that book (yet) that he didn't like. he even told me i could replace chicken gravy with her chickpea gravy! now that's a reason to keep the book around! :) plus she has some great tips on veganizing things...
OMG I try to work that gravy in to meals whenever possible, I LOVE it!
I, too have to defend VWaV. I think part of being vegan and enjoying it is learning to experiment with new foods and spices. If you feel overwhelmed with a recipe, just skip that one and come back to it later when you feel more ready for a challenge. I think just picking a few recipes that sound good, and maybe picking up one or two new additions to your spice stash every so often can really expand your horizons and make you a great vegan cook.
I LOVE the book, I have made alot of the stuff in it with great results and I have never sepnt more then $100 buying my food for 2 weeks when making recipes from this cookbook. Ya kinda have to know where to shop in your area to get the best prices on some stuff. I love the pancake and muffin recipes the best and the jerk seitan is just amazing.
I don't know how I haven't posted in this thread. I absolutely love this book! Granted, I have a very well-stocked kitchen. I've never gone out of my way to find hijiki, mostly because it's to make a mock-tuna salad recipe and I didn't even eat that shit when I was omni! Most of the recipes are great, and offer a wide variety of flavors. I would recommend this book to anyone who wants to take their vegan cooking skills to the next level. I think I can now cook on par to almost every entree in this book, and I have this book's inspiration to thank for that.
5/5 stars
at first i was like, what is this stuff? there are recipes online to make your own-- it is essentially concentrated pomegranant juice. Trader Joes sells bottles of "pomegranate syrup" for $3 something. i picked it up and use that-- works fine for the recipe.
i think being veg*n and doing your own cooking really requires a spice collection. they are pricey at the grocery store but if you find a bulk source (co-ops, some farmers market stores, "ethnic" stores) it is well worth it. most of my spices were under $1 (most were in the 23-40 cent range!) getting them bulk at the co-op. it does look expensive since many are 10 + bucks a pound but you are only getting a fraction of a pound.
I think that you're assuming that everyone has access to those stores.
In Australia, we don't have Trader Joes or any of those other stores.
Or heaps of the other ingredients I always find in recipes on here.
Plus, when you're freegan (mainly dumpstering) you don't always have a huge choice to recipe-specific.
And I'm living off a third of what you are. I completely agree with a well-stocked pantry. Lots of spices, dried grains and pulses and a good hreb and vegie garden make life easier.
But, I thankfully have FOUR! Pomegranate trees in my area. And I typed 'Pomegrante Molasses recipe' into Google.
Here it is:
1.5 litres (6 cups) pomegranate juice
250ml (1 cup) lemon juice
220g (1 cup) caster sugar
Simmer until reduced and thickened.
How to make (or get the most) pomegranate juice.
Only-just cover the pomegranate pulp-and seeds with boiling water. Leave to cool, then scrunch all the seeds, so the pulp comes loose.
Strain, so the seeds are separated.
The Molasses recipe will take a little longer because you'll need to cook off the extra water you added, but you'll get your money's (or you picking's) worth.
The only thing I can think that could maybe replace Pomegrante Molasess would be:
2 cups Balsamic Vinegar
1 cup diced strawberries
1 sugar
1 water
Simmer until tickened
I'm really surprised people don't like this cookbook. I've had it for pretty much my entire time being vegan (almost 2 years now), and I love it. I've tried at least 15 things out of there, and remade a lot of them. When I don't have something, I simply sub something else or don't use it at all. For example, if they ask for crystallized ginger, I add ginger powder. Or I add paprika, because I love it. I don't add salt to my food, and things always come out well.
I think her cookbook has taught me to just throw spices in and it'll come out well.
I also have Vegan vittles and The Joy of vegan baking. They all have their perks and I use them for different types of things.
I think that you're assuming that everyone has access to those stores.
In Australia, we don't have Trader Joes or any of those other stores.
Or heaps of the other ingredients I always find in recipes on here.
And I'm living off a third of what you are. I completely agree with a well-stocked pantry. Lots of spices, dried grains and pulses and a good hreb and vegie garden make life easier.
na, i'm not making assumptions - i said it is pretty much concentrated pom juice (which you went on to post recipes for from online). most users of this site are in the US and even then many of us (including myself) don't have access to some of the chain stores (TJ, WF). i go when i am near one in my travels. however, for those that do, it makes for some easy referencing for people to lazy to fucking google something. or those who just might not know.
and how do you know how much money i make? last time i checked my yearly income was below poverty level. i make it work.
I was just saying not everyone has those stores or acces to those stores.
And, "and i'm living on $10k a year-- by no means am i saying these things while sitting in some privileged economic position."
I am by no means critising you for this, I was just saying I'm on less and don't have access to those stores so people like me may find it more difficult to make those foods.
But, once again, lucky!! Lots of fruit trees in my area.
My friend wrote a zine on where lots of fruit and edible plants grow around the city, if anyone has they interest they should totally do that for their area.
(Sorry if I sounded like a b*itch in previous post)
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